Former Catholics - Mary worship

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What do you think happens when you die? This is a legitimate question. The saints are alive in heaven… Right? I mean that’s what the Church teaches. So we aren’t praying to dead people, but people that are alive. I think I mentioned this earlier, you should skim the Catechism section on The Body And Soul.

Richard Feynman
Hi Richard,sorry It has taken so long a time replying to your point.
Although your Church may teach it ,I still fail to see anywhere in the Bible to justify this practice .
Yes the saints depart(after death) to be with the Lord,but who said they when there ,share in that unique aspect of deity : omnipresence?
That they can see or hear anything throughout all the world,which thing ( scripture testifies) God alone is able for such a wonder as this.
You may suggest :they are united to the “one mediator between God and men,the man Christ Jesus”(1Timothy 2:5)
But I would also suggest that for such an all encompassing aspect to the believers prayer life,as Well as the The Teachings of Jesus ,all the NT writers fail to mention a word of it.For me then it is clear that it was not at all a part of their prayer life.

The nearest Scriptural relation to this ,I believe ,is seen when king Saul seeking the departed( dead) prophet Samuel,seeks him( his advice) through the instrument of ‘the Witch of Endor’.
The only similarities I am making is that Samuel ,no doubt a departed saint, has been approached for help by an Israelite still( only just) alive on the earth.

An interesting footnote is that in Mark 15:35"And some of them that stood by,when they heard it,said,Behold,he is calling Elijah"
It seems then this idea is not a New one ; but does it bare the scrutiny of the apostolic record?
 
I was away from the Church for many years (an agnostic). Then I went to a Protestant church, and finally returned to the Faith.

The answer is simple: “No Catholic ever worships Mary. I challenge you to find ONE person who ever did! The fact the some Catholics pray in front of a statue is to help them focus their prayer, just as Protestants sometimes have a Cross in their churches; but they aren’t praying to the cross!”
Welcome to CAF Cathy, and welcome home!

Peace be with you!
 
I’m sorry all this KJV stuff is so irrelevant to the discussion
that it completely obscures the point.
If you could re-state your proposition without the
various segues that would be appreciated.
Cause, frankly, Bernard this post made no sense to
me at all. What are you discussing?
It appears to me that he is saying the KJV, a translation, is just as inspired as the original KOINE Greek. What he fails to see is, 1) KOINE Greek only used capital letters and 2) if translations are the inspired word of God, then why are there so many translations that don’t agree with what the KOINE Greek says (e.g. Kecharitomene)?
 
Hi Richard,sorry It has taken so long a time replying to your point.
Although your Church may teach it ,I still fail to see anywhere in the Bible to justify this practice .
Yes the saints depart(after death) to be with the Lord,but who said they when there ,share in that unique aspect of deity : omnipresence?
That they can see or hear anything throughout all the world,which thing ( scripture testifies) God alone is able for such a wonder as this.
You may suggest :they are united to the “one mediator between God and men,the man Christ Jesus”(1Timothy 2:5)
But I would also suggest that for such an all encompassing aspect to the believers prayer life,as Well as the The Teachings of Jesus ,all the NT writers fail to mention a word of it.For me then it is clear that it was not at all a part of their prayer life.

The nearest Scriptural relation to this ,I believe ,is seen when king Saul seeking the departed( dead) prophet Samuel,seeks him( his advice) through the instrument of ‘the Witch of Endor’.
The only similarities I am making is that Samuel ,no doubt a departed saint, has been approached for help by an Israelite still( only just) alive on the earth.

An interesting footnote is that in Mark 15:35"And some of them that stood by,when they heard it,said,Behold,he is calling Elijah"
It seems then this idea is not a New one ; but does it bare the scrutiny of the apostolic record?
So when Jesus was seen conversing with Moses
and Elijah ( both of whom had been deceased for thousands of
years) on the mountain you maintain this
was what exactly?
 
It appears to me that he is saying the KJV, a translation, is just as inspired as the original KOINE Greek. What he fails to see is, 1) KOINE Greek only used capital letters and 2) if translations are the inspired word of God, then why are there so many translations that don’t agree with what the KOINE Greek says (e.g. Kecharitomene)?
Ah thank you.
However it seems that is material for another thread.
 
Why do Catholics take the kneeling posture when asking Mary for help then?

What does it represent?
I don’t think it represents anything except humility as someone posted. But it may also be just imitating the posture of others. Actually we pray the rosary kneeling, standing, walking, lying in bed, sitting, etc. We do it in church, riding a bus, in an open field, wherever and whenever it is conducive to meditation.

Arturo
 
Ah thank you.
However it seems that is material for another thread.
Actually, it isn’t. I would explain why, but I would probably get suspended or banned for being uncharitable (even though it would be the truth).
 
Yes, the saints depart (after death) to be with the Lord, but who said that they, when there, share in that unique aspect of deity (omnipresence)?
That they can see or hear anything throughout all the world, a thing which, scripture testifies, God alone is able to do?
You may suggest that they are united to the “one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”(1Timothy 2:5)
But I would also suggest that for such an all encompassing aspect to the believers prayer life, as well as the the teachings of Jesus, all the NT writers fail to mention a word of it. For me then, it is clear that it was not at all a part of their prayer life.
FTFY

Answer to ‘all the NT writers fail to mention a word of it’:

The Will of God is not confined to your understanding of the KJV.
 
I’ve never been anything other than Lutheran, so perhaps my answer doesn’t fit here. But I think it’s important to portray others correctly…

If a former Roman Catholic ever thought that they were worshiping the Blessed Virgin, then they were not well-catechized. Asking someone to pray for us, whether they are alive on earth or living in heaven, is not the same as worshiping them. Besides, asking the saints triumphant for their intercession has precedent from the earliest days of Christianity.

I personally do not pray to the saints (I simply take solace in the fact that they are continually praying for us).
Jesus in on the right hand side of the Father and are praying for us.
Is not the prayer of Jesus enough. Jesus and the Father are ONE. And you have access to the throne of grace by the blood of Jesus.
What scripture are you relying on to pray to the Saints och any other heavenly being, except Jesus.
 
If someone were to say to me that it seems Catholics worship Mary, I would explain that she is our Mother in the order of grace, and that we believe that the Lord made her special for our benefit. She had to be a woman of great faith, and was not spared seeing Jesus suffer intensely for all mankind.

I once heard a priest describe Mary as a very clean pane of glass (no smudges) that the Pure Light of the Blessed Trinity can shine through! That deserves our veneration, and I have much confidence in our Blessed Mother’s intercession, being a beneficiary of it many times in my life.

Mary truly magnifies the Lord, as she proclaims in the Magnificat!

In her great virtue of humility she is aware that all the good she has comes from the Lord.
Jesus said:
Mat 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
And also in the gospel of Mark
Mar 3:33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
Mar 3:34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mar 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
 
Could you please quantify “Worship” by what you mean of this word. ? Thanks. As a lot of people it means different, especially to a non Catholic.
Worship is RESERVED FOR GOD ONLY.
Worship the Lord thy God only, Him only shall you worship.
The devil wants us to worship him, and not God. He tried with Jesus.
Worship is bowing down on your knees.
A wrong type of worship is to kiss an image. Because worship also means kissing the hand. Read Rev. 13:15
προσκυνέω
proskuneō
pros-koo-neh’-o
From G4314 and probably a derivative of G2965 (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore): - worship.
 
No one worships Mary. No one. We do honor her, we ask that SHE prays on our behalf. We do not worship Saints, we honor and respect them, as we honor and respect Mary. We ask the Saints, who are already in heaven and have a special connection with the Lord and with God to pray for us. Mary gave birth to our savior and yours. For this she deserves our veneration. We often ask Mary to pray for us. Mary is the mother of our church.

Does this clear things up?
Mother Church is not a biblical teaching.

Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Rev_21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

That is the only Foundation of ANY christian Church.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
 
Just exactly how did you worship her?

Did you call her GOD? Did you claim that she saved you? Did you tell her that she was equal to GOD? Better than God?
It is enough if you bow your knees Before Mary.
Then this is a biblical act of worship.
Check out the greek meaning of worship, and also the Hebrew meaning in OT.
 
Mother Church is not a biblical teaching.
Matthew 18:

15 But if thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother.
16 And if he will not hear thee, take with thee one or two more: that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand.
17 And if he will not hear them: tell the church. And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican.

1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
 
Jesus in on the right hand side of the Father and are praying for us.
Is not the prayer of Jesus enough. Jesus and the Father are ONE. And you have access to the throne of grace by the blood of Jesus.
What scripture are you relying on to pray to the Saints och any other heavenly being, except Jesus.
Thanks for your posts curt,

I think you have some genuine intentions. I share some of your views but in the sense that Marian and Saint devotions are sometimes grossly exagerated and what could be a beautiful prayer in the Rosary can be used as just vain words in a shallow hope that Mary has more compassion than Jesus.

But there is also genuine faith available through requesting and accepting the prayers of Mary and our brothers and sisters in Sainthood.

James shows us the recourse we have in the just who are in a pure standing with Jesus. To Protestant objection to intercessions of the faithfull, and even departed ones who have shown an outward faith which the Church has recognized as holy, does not recognize Jesus Himself working in His Mystical body. And some Catholics who have a devotion to the Rosary loose the ability to have open prayer from the heart, thinking they are not worthy to simply talk to God.

My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and some one brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Jesus said:
Mat 12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
Mat 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
And also in the gospel of Mark
Mar 3:33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?
Mar 3:34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
Mar 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
This is a fine point made about our familial bond we have in Jesus when doing the will of His father. Yet the faith of the Church recognizes Mary’s belief as being essential in her Motherhood. When Jesus said these comments, He was not saying Mary was not His mother, but that others can be like her, who do the will of the father and believe and keep themselves pure.

Luke 1:45

And blessed is she who believed that there would be* a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.
Worship is RESERVED FOR GOD ONLY.
Worship the Lord thy God only, Him only shall you worship.
The devil wants us to worship him, and not God. He tried with Jesus.
Worship is bowing down on your knees.
A wrong type of worship is to kiss an image. Because worship also means kissing the hand. Read Rev. 13:15
προσκυνέω
proskuneō
pros-koo-neh’-o
From G4314 and probably a derivative of G2965 (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore): - worship.
Here, I will not argue your point, but only the word ‘worship’ has a technical range of definition. I agree, in our time and current language (and especially for the understanding of our true actions of the heart) we should use veneration for Mary and the Saints.
Mother Church is not a biblical teaching.

Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Rev_21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

That is the only Foundation of ANY christian Church.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Understanding Jesus’ establishing the living Church in His image can give us a better understanding of the roles we have in His body, which is the Church. Jesus Himself appointed Peter to an office which held a certain authority. Really, we all have the same vantage point in the end, because we are all judged according to what we are giving from God. For Peter and his successors, the account they will be required is very great! I would not seek this myself 😉 But whom the Lord calls must accept.

In that day I will call my servant Eli′akim the son of Hilki′ah, 21 and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your girdle on him, and will commit your authority to his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22 And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. 23 And I will fasten him like a peg in a sure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father’s house. 24 And they will hang on him the whole weight of his father’s house, the offspring and issue, every small vessel, from the cups to all the flagons. 25 In that day, says the Lord of hosts, the peg that was fastened in a sure place will give way; and it will be cut down and fall, and the burden that was upon it will be cut off, for the Lord has spoken.
It is enough if you bow your knees Before Mary.
Then this is a biblical act of worship.
Check out the greek meaning of worship, and also the Hebrew meaning in OT.
I agree, I do not kneel down to Mary, but we can not stand before Mary and speak without acknowledging she is in the presence of God.*
 
It is enough if you bow your knees Before Mary.
Then this is a biblical act of worship.
Check out the greek meaning of worship, and also the Hebrew meaning in OT.
Hi curt, well I’m trying to insert one of my favorite images from one of my favorite posters here on CAF but not able to so I will post a link (see post #12) here…
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=7358805&highlight=kleenex#post7358805
Do you think they are worshipping the Kleenex box?

As far as your point of the meaning of worship, if I can allow you to define what true worship is for me (kneeling or prayer) then it would be fair also for JW’s (using your own theology) to further define this true worship to mean saluting the flag, wearing of a cross…, right? IOW who gets to decide which postures or words I get to use to REALLY mean only what I (and God) know in my heart ?

Peace!!!
 
Really? One of the best insights I’ve ever had during
the Rosary was on the Transfiguration. Maybe
I’m weird but I probably don’t think about Mary
much during the Risary but that is because probably
the Hail Mary is so memorized.

I can wonder if Buddhists would agree with you on that?
They apparently “multi task” as well.
But hey isn’t that a sign of intelligence? Multi tasking****]?
😃

I think I read somewhere that women are supposed to be more adept at multi-tasking - could this be a reason why women, especially, are drawn to the Rosary as devotional practice? Maybe it fits our natures better. Mary probably knew that as well 🙂
 
It appears to me that he is saying the KJV, a translation, is just as inspired as the original KOINE Greek. What he fails to see is, 1) KOINE Greek only used capital letters and 2) if translations are the inspired word of God, then why are there so many translations that don’t agree with what the KOINE Greek says (e.g. Kecharitomene)?
Hi JM3,As you will know ,it has ever been the serpents intention to obscure the real meaning and very successfully he has( and still is) been doing so ,ever since;and that ,by the means of distorting the context in which God has set his word.

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.And he said unto the woman,Yea,hath God said,Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”(Genesis 3:1)

As much as language allows,(remember it was God who confounded the then ,universal language ,at Babel) for accurate translation ,from one tongue to another,then I believe the Lord,has orchestrated a very reliable ( though not perfect) English ‘word of God’.
And this I believe ,was also done ,through the very reliable ,textus receptus .

For me all translations based on these Texts, can be compared ,one with another and with the original Greek still available.
You yourself ,must of necessity place your trust ,in your own translation .
If there is no confidence in the actual words and the source from which they sprang from: there remains no ground for discussion ;and more importantly :since “faith cometh by hearing,” ( hearing what?) how then shall we live in consequence ,because

“as it Is written ,The just shall live by faith”( Romans1:17)
 
Are there any former Catholics here that can say you did worship Mary when you were Catholic? If not what do you say to those who believe you did?

Peace!!!
The difference is in the basis of believe. Catholics believe in the Bible and Sacred Traditions, while non-Catholics believe only on the Bible.
Venerating Mary as part of liturgy like in the Rosary, is not in the Bible but in Sacred Traditions.
The protestant dilemma is whether the Sacred Traditions are necessary for salvation or the Bible alone is sufficient. Sacred traditions emerged after 100 AD, and so one wonders whether the Christians of between 30AD - 100AD had the full faith as they were deficient of the emergent Traditions. If the grace before the Sacred Traditions was sufficient, then the Traditions would not be of paramount importance for a Christian.
Most of the apostles including Peter died while Mary was still alive and so they never venerated her. Their faith was valid as per the teaching of the time. By then, even Jesus saying he was the Son of God was blasphemy, let alone venerating a person, and a woman since Jews were male oriented.
 
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