Praying to Statues?

[TrueLight]

I wonder how a group of say, Baptists, would react if as they were having a prayer service in front of an outdoor Nativity scene with statues of animals as well as the Holy family and all, if someone walked up and asked them why they are praying in front of statues ?

LOL, well…

The kind of Baptist church I attended might have a nativity scene for a play, but otherwise we had no statues whatsoever.

It’s one thing to have statues. It’s another to be kissing one. I don’t feel strongly about it. I am adjusting to the idea. But can you see why someone not of a faith that uses statues might see it as idolatry?

 

[onenow1]

Do Catholics worship statues? Do Catholics pray to statues? My girlfriend said that she’s seen come catholics sitting on the ground before a statues of a saint, looking up at the statue, praying. This seems a little much. Opinions?

Statues and icons are simply reminders, Mother Church gives us, trying to keep our mind from wandering so we may shut out Satans influence,as much as possible. A statue or icon of Mary should remind us of her Son and His role and also, the roll she has played in salvation history with her yes. Bottom line dje, I think you are confusing, prying to rather then praying through the depiction that statues and icons relate ! Since no one knows what God looks like He commanded in Ezekiel !

Ezekiel 40:1-2 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was conquered, on that very day, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me in the visions of God into the land of Israel, and set me down upon a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city opposite me.

Ezekiel. 41: 17- 20,17 to the space above the door, even to the inner room, and on the outside. And on all the walls round about in the inner room and the nave were carved likenesses of cherubim and palm trees, a palm tree between cherub and cherub. Every cherub had two faces: the face of a man toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved on the whole temple round about; from the floor to above the door cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall.

Opinion: Without dipictions this temple above,could have been any other building ! God in His wisdom knows we need reminders of His work in salvation !

God Bless
onenow1

 

[TrueLight]

Not to offend you, but I was wondering if you are excited for RCIA because you are converting to Catholicism or because you want to argue.

Some of your questions seem to have a hint of being confrontational. However, I am just reading your posts and therefore it is impossible to determine someone’s actual tone. Please don’t take offense, I was just wondering.

God Bless.

Nah. I’m just pretty direct. And I will ask these same type of questions at RCIA. I guess I will be there for 5 years.

 

[TrueLight]

Statues are a meditation device. They help to place some people into a moment of time, into a remembrance, into a quiet place.

That I can understand!

 

[TrueLight]

Ezekiel. 41: 17- 20,17 to the space above the door, even to the inner room, and on the outside. And on all the walls round about in the inner room and the nave were carved likenesses of cherubim and palm trees, a palm tree between cherub and cherub. Every cherub had two faces: the face of a man toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side. They were carved on the whole temple round about; from the floor to above the door cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall.

Opinion: Without dipictions this temple above,could have been any other building ! God in His wisdom knows we need reminders of His work in salvation !

God Bless
onenow1

Awesome! Thanks for reminding me of these verses.

 

[Barbkw]

So the statue serves as a focal object? I’m curious as many pagan an mystical practices use focal objects to direct their magic.

Actually, it would far more accurate to use the “focal object” examples from Sacred Scripture.

God told Moses to place a bronze snake on a pole, raise it before the people and it would cure the Israelites of their snake bites.

In the same way, God told Moses to create the Ark and place the Ten Commandments, the manna and Aaron’s staff inside of it. The Ark was then placed inside of a worship tent and protected.

In the same way today, in Catholic Churches, we honor the Tabernacle because it contains the Presence of Christ and we honor the cross with the Body of Christ upon it.

 

[TrueLight]

Do Baptists pray to books ? I’ve seen photos of a Baptist service where the Pastor was holding up a bible and all in attendance were praying. Some were looking at the bible.

Seriously though, religious images are just a reminder of our faith as Christians. Just as the fish symbol on a car trunk lid, or a cross on the steeple of any church.

Asking your pastor to pray for you is no different than asking a Saint to pray for you.

LOL. This gave me a good laugh, but I see your point.

 

[At_Trent]

But can you see why someone not of a faith that uses statues might see it as idolatry?

Not after they have had it explained.

One either accepts the CC for what it is, or not.

 

[wild_thing]

The Apostles Creed sums up Catholic teaching in a nutshell:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

The communion of Saints means that as Catholics, we believe that there are three states within the Church- the Church Militant (which is us, here on earth); the Church Suffering- which is the souls in Purgatory; and the Church Triumphant- which are the souls in heaven.

The communion of saints refers to the three states of the Church helping and communicating with each other. For instance, we can pray for the souls in Purgatory, since it is only by our prayers and sacrifices united with Jesus’ that they are able to get into heaven. Once they are in heaven, they can then pray and help us. Same with the souls already in heaven- the saints. The saints interceded for us with God, they can help enlighten, inspire, and guide us.

Saints can be our best friends- even better than worldly friends because they already see God face to face. For instance, I have St. Jude as my patron saint. I pray to him in times of need. His whole relationship with me is to bring me closer to God. I do not ‘worship’ St. Jude- I appreciate his friendship, help and guidance. If you see people kneeling before statues, it is not because they are worshipping Mary or the saints- they are talking to them, and the statue is merely a visual help in our journey to God.

If you decide not to strike up a friendship with the saints, that is up to you. But in the spiritual life, it is kind of like being a loner. You miss out on so much if you do not have these souls as your confidants, allies and mentors.

 

[TrueLight]

Actually, it would far more accurate to use the “focal object” examples from Sacred Scripture.

God told Moses to place a bronze snake on a pole, raise it before the people and it would cure the Israelites of their snake bites.

In the same way, God told Moses to create the Ark and place the Ten Commandments, the manna and Aaron’s staff inside of it. The Ark was then placed inside of a worship tent and protected.

In the same way today, in Catholic Churches, we honor the Tabernacle because it contains the Presence of Christ and we honor the cross with the Body of Christ upon it.

Good examples of focus objects in the Old Testament.

 

[Barbkw]

Idolatry was worship of a foreign god or goddess - Greek, Roman, Egyptian.

Statues of saints, Mary, etc are rememberances of the members of the family of God.

 

[At_Trent]

LOL. This gave me a good laugh, but I see your point.

I’m sure no one in RCIA will tell you you must have statues in your home… And if you visit several Catholic parishes, you will see many of them don’t have any statues in the Sanctuary. Some do, especially the older ones, but they are not part of the Liturgy.

 

[ProVobis]

If you look towards the roof of your church when praying, are you praying to the roof?

If you look towards the sky whilst praying, are you praying to the clouds?

If you lower your gaze or close your eyes whilst praying, are you then praying to the floor or the inside of your eyelid?

Along those lines, is the priest praying to us when saying Mass versus populum?

Or the people praying to the priest, for that matter?

Others have to admit, it sure seems that way.

 

[TrueLight]

The Apostles Creed sums up Catholic teaching in a nutshell:

The communion of Saints means that as Catholics, we believe that there are three states within the Church- the Church Militant (which is us, here on earth); the Church Suffering- which is the souls in Purgatory; and the Church Triumphant- which are the souls in heaven.

How integral is this to being Catholic? Is this something that has to be accepted before converting?

If you decide not to strike up a friendship with the saints, that is up to you. But in the spiritual life, it is kind of like being a loner. You miss out on so much if you do not have these souls as your confidants, allies and mentors.

Well, I agree I would not want to miss out on such a thing. By the way, subscribed to Saintscast just so that I could have a greater appreciation and understanding of the Saints.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

How is praying before a statue different from the people of Israel making a graven image and praying before it?

How is it different from a greek pagan during Christ’s lifetime praying before a statue of Athena?

The people in Israel WORSHIPPED the golden calf and said, “This is the Lord who brought us out of Egypt.”

Catholics do not think statues are gods. They don’t worship Mary or Paul or Peter as God. They do not even think they are ‘real’ as in, a statue of Mary IS really Mary.

Just as you might look at a picture (heck, I wish I DID have a statue of my dad, gone now more than 40 years) of your departed loved one to bring you memories and to help you focus on your prayer for them, a statue does the same thing.

 

[faithfully]

Do Catholics worship statues? Do Catholics pray to statues? My girlfriend said that she’s seen come catholics sitting on the ground before a statues of a saint, looking up at the statue, praying. This seems a little much. Opinions?

Hi confused… Yes, praying to a statue would be more than a little much if that were true.

I’ve seen people walk into a church and pray… they must be praying to the building???

I’ve seen people sit in a park below a shady tree, facing glossy lake, and thank God for all creation… are they praying to the tree, the lake, the grass? This is like setting a small stage for worshipping God, and GOD alone!!!

It’s not a matter of opinion, but FACT that Catholics DO NOT pray to statues.

However, I can see how, if you wanted to create a good lie and pass it on, this one would be quite easy. As you WILL see people in front of a statue or picture in thought and prayer. But that amounts to the same as praying to a preacher standing up front giving a sermon. Surely, you’re not all there worshiping him? I mean you face him, and say prayers, and even LISTEN to him… HE must be who you are praying to?

Actually, I think the most simple way to consider this. Do you have pictures of people in your wallet? children, friends, etc? And so, when you look at them for any length of time, and process any sort of thought, or perhaps even pray to God let’s say to watch over them… are you praying to the picture?

Please continue to ask your questions. Even us Catholics have lots to learn about our religion. You can bet your last dollar that anyone that has NOT studied Catholicism for any length of time… has absolutley NO IDEA what they are talking about. Just what they’ve “heard”.

 

[guanophore]

Do Catholics worship statues? Do Catholics pray to statues? My girlfriend said that she’s seen come catholics sitting on the ground before a statues of a saint, looking up at the statue, praying. This seems a little much. Opinions?

Thanks for asking, rather than assuming and accusing, dje. No, such actions would be a violation of the first commandment, which is a mortal (deadly) sin.

It helps to use some common sense with people like your girlfriend. Ask her about these pictures of Protestants:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Are these people bowing down to that speaker there on the stage?

Is it not more likely that they just heard a powerful sermon? Are they bowing down to a preacher that is out of view?

Is it not more likely that they came forward to consecrate themselves to God?

Does this image of a pulpit:



indicate that God resides in the pulpit itself? Is that light coming from the pulpit a manifesation of the divinity in it?

Is it not more likely that it is an artistic representation of the fact that Light shines in the Soul of a person when the Word of God is preached?

Are these young people:]

http://www.wellspringministries.com/Altar01.JPG
Bowing down before those flowers on the right? Are they worshipping them?

This exercise makes it clear that we cannot read the intentions of the hearts of those who are before God in prayer.

Catholics use a number of material items to help draw the thoughts and spirit of a person toward God, such as stained glass windows, candles, and statues. None of these things are objects of worship.

 

[FCEGM]

How integral is this to being Catholic? Is this something that has to be accepted before converting?

Yes. This might help you with both the use of statues and also the Communion of the Saints:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=5920285&postcount=11

Well, I agree I would not want to miss out on such a thing. By the way, subscribed to Saintscast just so that I could have a greater appreciation and understanding of the Saints.

 

[guanophore]

I apologize that this may be a bit repetitious for you as I know that Catholics receive this question quite a bit, but I just needed to make sure as I am considering converting to the Catholic Church.

I hope you will bring all such questions and concerns here, dje. You are in prayer for your spiritual journey.

 

[guanophore]

How is praying before a statue different from the people of Israel making a graven image and praying before it?

You mean, like this one?

Num 21:7-9
8 And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.

How is it different from a greek pagan during Christ’s lifetime praying before a statue of Athena?

I suppose because Gk. Pagans were praying to entities that were not God.