Bowing to each other is a common greeting in half the world. Are they in violation of the second commandment? Words have definitions for a reason. They are not one in the same. Adoration is NOT the same as worship.
If I bow or kneel in front of a statue to pray, I may be praying to God, I may be asking a particular saint to pray for me for a special intention as I would ask a friend to pray for me. I do not think that statue has any powers on its own. It is simply a beautiful work of art that brings to mind that saint and helps me focus my prayers.
If a person were to kneel in prayer with a Bible in his hands, would he be worshiping the Bible? By your standards we would have to believe this is true because that is what it looks like. What if a person had just read some very comforting words in the Bible, closed it and gave it a little hug from joy, how is this any different from a person touching the foot of a statue of a particular saint they love? Again, it’s not the statue they adore but brings to mind the person in Heaven whether it be a saint that they can relate to that helps bring them closer to God.
(Let me finish that thought... sorry, my kids are a distraction!)
Or whether it be a statue of Jesus, Himself. I love gazing upon the many crucifixes I have around the house because it is an instant reminder of why I am here and puts me in my place. Again, being human, I tend to get distracted and caught up in my mundane daily life. That crucifix reminds that there is a purpose to everything. I do not worship the pictures of Mary and other saints on my walls. I do not worship the wood/metal/porcelain crosses on the walls. They just keep me from focusing on less important things in life.
Catholics admit to praying to Mary.
Show us where in Scripture that praying to ANYONE for ANYTHING is sanctioned by God.
Ack! I just realized I messed up my words. *sigh* I do apologize. I did not mean to say Adoration is NOT the same as worship. I meant to say veneration/honor is not the same as worship/adoration. I should just get back to the kitchen and stop posting. I truly am sorry for the confusion. I’m going to go laugh at myself now!
Catholics really need to stop that meme. It makes them look really bad. Let's go look at just a couple of those. From: http://www.marypages.com/PrayerstoMary.htm
Holy Mary, help those in need, give strength to the weak, comfort the sorrowful, pray for God's people, assist the clergy, intercede for religious. Mary all who seek your help experience your unfailing protection. Amen.
My Queen, My Mother, I offer myself entirely to thee. And to show my devotion to thee, I offer thee this day, my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Wherefore, good Mother, as I am thine own, keep me, guard me as thy property and possession. Amen