Explaining Catholic beliefs to Protestants

[StrawberryJam]

Oh ok… On that website I found this:
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2084,

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them.

**So we technically have their second commandment in one of ours. Why do people tend to think that we take that our to support our reason for statues and such… **I always have found the statues to be so beautiful and important in my catholic faith.

???

Support your reasons for statues and such?

This commandment does not support nor does it condemn statues “and such”

 

[kristanl]

A lot of people I know have shown me pictures of people kneeling infont of Mary statues, or even our Way of the Cross people disagree about… I was just wondering why some Protestants believe that we cannot do this.

 

[StrawberryJam]

A lot of people I know have shown me pictures of people kneeling infont of Mary statues, or even our Way of the Cross people disagree about… I was just wondering why some Protestants believe that we cannot do this.

Kneeling in front of a statue of Mary does not mean worship of Mary.
If you are talking about stations of the cross, that also is another topic, and one devoted to Jesus in his sorrowful Passion. from what I read about the stations of the Cross.

I don’t know what this term way of the Cross is, if you can tell me maybe I can research it.

 

[AmbroseSJ]

Luke65:

And one more point: one of things that I have discovered, much to my surprise, is that for every teaching of the Catholic Church, God has made sure that we have something in Scripture to support it. And that means, not only that the Catholic Church is His one true Church, but that God intends for us to point these things out to our fellow Bible-believing Christians - that they may share in all the blessings that the Gospel brings.

That is very well for you, but unfortunately, some of the Scriptures which the Catholic Church would point out to support Catholic Doctrine would not be clear or convincing to Protestants. It is not that the Church has a weak argument, but that the Protestant has a weak Faith. It is a first principle with Catholics that the Church alone can correctly interpret Sacred Scripture. With Protestants, if it isn’t explicitly stated, they are doubtful or disbelieving. That is an important distinction to remember when discussing Scripture with them.

 

[kristanl]

Well the stations of the cross are 13 different statues, some churches just have like pictures not actual statues… But we stand in front of them and pray and remember what jesus had to go through. For example one of them is Jesus is nailed to the Cross.

I have this little statue of Mary in my room, you can pretty much hold it in your hand, and I have friends who think I am praying to icons, and false idols and worshipping them. How else can you explain that we are not, if they are so set they we are worshipping them?

Oh and about what the other person said about scripture (I’m sorry I dont have the quote)… That is my problem, none of the verses anyone ever gives me about purgatory or praying to the dead is very evident for protestants. In 2Macc. I think that it clearly talks about praying to the dead, but that is a book in the bible that they do not have.

I guess it is hard for some people to change there ways. Growing up one of my friends went to a church that made fun of Catholics and bashed our religion… and when she went to church with me, she was like oh, its not as bad as I thought but its really boring, and you chant a whole bunch of prayers. LOL
But I like Catholic Church so much more, I love the prayers and everything we do. I love the tradition and praying the rosary…
Can someone tell me if this is right? Whenenver someone asks why we have 10 times more prayers to Mary then Jesus in the rosary, I state that it is an intercessionary prayer betweeen us and Mary, where Jesus comes in too? It is hard for me to explain the rosary, I have told them the mysterys…

 

[CWBetts]

Well the stations of the cross are 13 different statues, some churches just have like pictures not actual statues… But we stand in front of them and pray and remember what jesus had to go through. For example one of them is Jesus is nailed to the Cross.

I have this little statue of Mary in my room, you can pretty much hold it in your hand, and I have friends who think I am praying to icons, and false idols and worshipping them. How else can you explain that we are not, if they are so set they we are worshipping them?

Oh and about what the other person said about scripture (I’m sorry I dont have the quote)… That is my problem, none of the verses anyone ever gives me about purgatory or praying to the dead is very evident for protestants. In 2Macc. I think that it clearly talks about praying to the dead, but that is a book in the bible that they do not have.

I guess it is hard for some people to change there ways. Growing up one of my friends went to a church that made fun of Catholics and bashed our religion… and when she went to church with me, she was like oh, its not as bad as I thought but its really boring, and you chant a whole bunch of prayers. LOL
But I like Catholic Church so much more, I love the prayers and everything we do. I love the tradition and praying the rosary…
Can someone tell me if this is right? Whenenver someone asks why we have 10 times more prayers to Mary then Jesus in the rosary, I state that it is an intercessionary prayer betweeen us and Mary, where Jesus comes in too? It is hard for me to explain the rosary, I have told them the mysterys…

Ask your Protestant friends if they worship their Bibles. They show the Bible a great deal of respect. Is that worship?

 

[kristanl]

OH! Good point! Thanks!!
I think people just have a problem with us even thinking of Mary other then at Christmas… and therefore everything having to do with her is wrong.

 

[PJM]

=kristanl-Many of my friends have trouble understanding why we do certain things, and I have been able to state to them where in the bible and why… But I was just wondering other ways people explain things such as:

Many of my friends have trouble understanding why we do certain things, and I have been able to state to them where in the bible and why… But I was just wondering other ways people explain things such as:

-Mary, [Mother of GOD!] Lk. 1: 26 “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” … And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus… And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born * will be called holy, the Son of God.

Rosary, people kneeling in front of her and praying to her

The text of the “Hail Mary Prayer” can be found in Lk. Chapters 1 and 2.

It is more accurate to say that we pray THROUGH Mary, than too Mary, but both are accurate. “Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of you’re womb JESUS. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. “AMEN!

Catholics pray to Mary, the most perfect human being ever, because She id the Mother of our God! As a “Saint” Mary is in heaven with Jesus and has access to Christ in the manner we seek, face to face. Prayers to Mary and Saints who too are in God’s real presence in heaven allow us to have someone plead our needs before the actual throne of God. And they add their merits, the good they have done on earth to gain heaven, to our own petitions.-Saints [see above comments]

-Purgatory please look up Mt.16: 19, Jn. 20:21-23, 1 Jn. 5: 13-18 and Mt.16: 19. 1 Jn. 1:8 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Each of these topics is a post unto themselves. So if you want more detailed info ask.

Because we are sinners, and sin effects everyone, not just the sinner, there are latent [payback] effects that must be addressed because Jesus Himself tells us “ Mt. 5: 48: “You, therefore, must be perfect, as you’re heavenly Father is perfect.” Because of God’s Divine Mercy, Love and Justice He has created a place of purification. Thought to be like Hell except for one HUGE difference. Those in Purgatory know that once perfected they too will get to heaven. In Hell, the greatest pain is total complete despair and loss of all hope. Also see 2 Mac. 12 and 1 Cor. 3:15.

-Praying to people whom are dead, having mass for them etc. Mt. 16:19, Mt. 18: 18, assign to Peter and THEE Church the power and authority to Govern, make laws and enforce them. It was held by the early Jews and has continued as Catholic doctrine that the dead can benefit from our prayers [Mass being thee most perfect prayer].

James 5: “15 and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.” [Also 2 Tim. 1:18 and Mt. 5:8; Sir. 7:33]

-Why one of our commandments is separated and one of them about icons is not there.

I have no idea what you mean by a Commandment being “separated”? If you’re speaking of statues and stained glass windows and such. Do you carry photos of loved ones in you’re billfold? Why? Do you hang pictures of loved ones on walls at home? Why? That is exactly what statue and windows are; REMINDERS. Please read Exodus Chapter 25 and see what God Himself thinks about these reminders!

-Why we say prayers over and over again READ Psalm 136 to me, aloud. Then we go to Daniel, 3:35 - 68.

-Why we don’t believe we can just say we are saved and that’s how we get to heaven
.
Because that is Not God’s way. See Jn. 3: 5 and 3:36, Mt.16:19, and there is much more than this.

-Confession to a priest

Because it is one of the Seven Sacraments instituted by Christ. See Jn. 20:21-23, 1 Jn. 5:13-18, Mt. 19:16, and Mt.16:19. It’s all in the bible. Catholics don’t just make this stuff up.

If you’d like more information be specific and don’t ask for so much at a time. We are limited to 6,000 keystrokes.

Quote:
I would also like to hear from other Christians, who dont believe in these things, and how you believe this harms Catholics into getting into heaven. Thanks!

What they think has no revelance to thee truth. God is not interested in their opinion, or for that matter mine. TRUTH is what God want’s, and every topic, every issue only has a single truth! That friend is what I’m exposing you to.

Friend it’s very impolite not to respond to a detailed and chairatble responce to you’re OP

 

[kristanl]

Friend it’s very impolite not to respond to a detailed and chairatble responce to you’re OP

Sorry-
I didnt realize everyone quotes each other yet, I just started doing this yesterday… I said thank you for all of your replies in one of replies. I really enjoyed your post back, that was very nice of you
What does OP mean? I have been seeing this a lot.
Thanks!

 

[Rolltide]

What does OP mean? I have been seeing this a lot.
Thanks!

OP means “Original Poster”, or the person who started the thread.

 

[PJM]

=kristanl;5527681]Sorry-
I didnt realize everyone quotes each other yet, I just started doing this yesterday… I said thank you for all of your replies in one of replies. I really enjoyed your post back, that was very nice of you
What does OP mean? I have been seeing this a lot.
Thanks!

OP = Opinion Post

OOP = Original Opinion Post

OOPQ = Orginal Opinion Post Question which is commomly derailed so don’t be upset or surprised when it happens.

Love and prayers, Welcome to The Forum!