Saints or Gods?

[Roman_Army]

**In the recent threads “So how is the Blessed Virgin Mary not a goddess?” and “I am a Mary worshipper,” people started getting out of hand and calling Saints gods. **

The following is Webster’s definition of god:

Main Entry: 1god
Pronunciation: 'gäd *also *'god
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German *got *god
1 capitalized : the supreme or ultimate reality: as a : the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshiped as creator and ruler of the universe b Christian Science : the incorporeal divine Principle ruling over all as eternal Spirit : infinite Mind
2 : a being or object believed to have more than natural attributes and powers and to require human worship; specifically : one controlling a particular aspect or part of reality
3 : a person or thing of supreme value
4 : a powerful ruler

Source: webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary

The following is Webster’s definition of goddess:

Main Entry: god·dess
Pronunciation: 'gä-d&s *also *'go-
Function: noun
1 : a female god
2 : a woman whose great charm or beauty arouses adoration

Source: webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary

**It is wrong to say that Saints are gods and goddesses. Even if you mean that they are lesser gods. Remember the 1st commandment that you shall have no other gods. **

**Both the 1st and 2nd definitions of god do not include Saints, they are not required to be worshiped. The 3rd and 4th definitions are much broader. However notice how the 3rd definition states “supreme value.” Saints are not “supreme value.” They are valuable but are not “supreme.” The 4th definition seems to be intended to the Ancient Roman emperors, who of course in Ancient paganism were sometimes considered as equal to gods. **
**A goddess is just a female version of a god. The Blessed Virgin Mary is not a goddess. **

**Also, you must understand that such secular definitions are not adequate for discussing faith. Secular dictionaries are always updating their databases and adding definitions. They constantly monitor the English language as it changes. In other words, they often use literature sometimes even anti-Catholic literature which changes certain meanings of things. **

**A god or goddess is a supreme being that requires worship and sacrifice. Even lesser gods and goddesses require worship and sacrifice because though they have less power, they still control some aspect of life, in which they must be pleased in order to control it well. They are also independent. Their powers are generated from themselves not from another god or goddess. **

Saints can not do anything without God’s approval and consent. Saints get their powers from God and are completely dependent on him. Saints pray for us to God. Saints are people that make it to heaven and are in the living God. They are not divine.

Here’s Webster’s definition of Saint:

Main Entry: 1saint
Pronunciation: 'sAnt, *before a name *(")sAnt *or *s&nt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin *sanctus, *from Latin, sacred, from past participle of *sancire *to make sacred – more at SACRED
1 : one officially recognized especially through canonization as preeminent for holiness
2 a : one of the spirits of the departed in heaven b **: ****ANGEL **1a
3 a : one of God’s chosen and usually Christian people b capitalized : a member of any of various Christian bodies; specifically **: **LATTER-DAY SAINT
4 : one eminent for piety or virtue
5 : an illustrious predecessor

Source: webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary

Saints and Gods are two different things. The words “gods” and “goddess(es)” are pagan. The true God is not plural but singular and is neither feminine nor masculine.

 

[SeanMc]

Interesting read, although you probably won’t convince comparative religions types.

 

[piety101]

There simply are no Gods whether big or small beside the one true God, who exists as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. You cannot be truly God if you were created or had a beginning. God has NO BEGINNING period. He is from everlasting to everlasting. That is why he is God or divine.
Angels and mankind are all creations OF God. One can be called "a god", but this does not make him so, if that being had a beginning.

 

[rwoehmke]

After gnawing for a number of years over the difference between worship due only to God and veneration which we give to Mary and the other Saints as well as to holy objects like the crucifix, I have concluded that a person standing apart cannot tell from the actions, thoughts, and sometimes the words what is taking place. The major difference resides in the person acting and is a matter of their personal intention or will which is not obvious to anyone else unless the acting person discloses it. It is no wonder that our protestant brothers and sisters are confused as it would appear that many Catholics cannot discern the situation from outward appearances.

 

[cheddarsox]

rwoehmke:

After gnawing for a number of years over the difference between worship due only to God and veneration which we give to Mary and the other Saints as well as to holy objects like the crucifix, I have concluded that a person standing apart cannot tell from the actions, thoughts, and sometimes the words what is taking place. The major difference resides in the person acting and is a matter of their personal intention or will which is not obvious to anyone else unless the acting person discloses it. It is no wonder that our protestant brothers and sisters are confused as it would appear that many Catholics cannot discern the situation from outward appearances.

Very true, and very well said.

cheddar