My main problem with praying to the saints is that so many of those saints have such wild folklore attached to them. Sorry, but that’s what I have concluded over the years. Various bits of mythology, exaggeration, hyperbole, even paganism has succeeded in making veneration of the saints seem like idolatry to many.
Code:
It is one thing to honor saintly people, e. g., Mother Theresa, but such fantasies about many of them. Historians suggest that many of them were even pagan heroes who were 'baptized' into the church when the particular area became Christian, certainly in parts of Latin America, but before that in ancient and medieval Europe. Some who are seen as saints in Catholicism are regarded as enemies of justice outside the church. Etc.
But those who want to pray to saints, fine. Free country. I believe in a big-tent Christianity where we are allowed a broad area of flexibility, as long as we seek to follow the teachings and example of Christ as much as we possibly can. When the lawyer asked Jesus how could he have eternal life, he did not respond by citing doctrines or church affiliation or praying to saints. He told the parable of the Good Samaritan. Alas, the Samaritans were viewed as heretics and far worse by the religious establishment of that era. This should tell us something.
One thing is for sure, through scripture its very apparent God continues to take Souls He actually choose’s and have chosen Him, though serious. serious trails. From David, Job, Jeramiah, Isaiah, Jonah, Paul, Peter, John, etc. Even Christ on the cross had his moment of fustration.
Its not hard to reach a point where one just doesn’t know truth, because your blinded and brought to “Blind Faith” constantly by the purification process of the Soul. And if the Bible indicate’s one Truth throughout, this is it.
So church doctrines really have no bearing but in the aspect they record History accurately. They show error in time periods. Should one chose to believe it of not? Thats another issue. Is everything 100% accurate? Well, we are dealing with man, but you can take it to the bank its close, and in the above 90% range. You dealing with the elect who are by large Gods soldiers.
The Saints are also recorded History. No different than Biblical times, God just choose’s those who will speak for Him. And they do. And they still do. There has never been a period in recorded History when He hasn’t sent someone to speak for Him.
There are many unknown Truths in this world my friend. Its better to say “I’m not sure” than to say “I don’t believe” when in fact you really don’t know!
Is the Catholic Church a True path to God? Most definate. Are there others? Are you capable of finding them on your own is really the question? It will take a very long walk down the path till your postive your on the right path. In which case, if you are wrong, then the walk back is an equal distance.
While I understand your main problem. My main problem are those who chose to place to fault a proven path to God. Its a mistake to lead anyone away from a proven path IMHO.
Its a mighty large leap to say there is flaw in certain Saints, when again, you really don’t know. So it just gets down to the point than unless you can actually prove there’s a fault? Its just throwing dirt a Soul who may very well be Gods Chosen? Not smart IMHO.
I don’t even know all the Catholic Saints nor will I in this physical world. But I don’t make any claim to pretend to know if they were indeed of God. When I read something one or two said about another which seems skeptical? I just give it the benifit of the doubt and leave it alone. I wasn’t there. And I’m pretty sure you weren’t either.
