Worshiping Idols!

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SuS33 said:
As a Catholic, I know and believe we do not worship idols, yet seeing none Catholics talk about us doing it while not being able to defend my faith is upsetting. But it’s ok they don’t understand. My question is how to defend my church against this claim? When did we started making statues for Saints? Is their biblical support to it? Do you know of a book that explains it well so I can explain it to others too?

Thank you, God bless.
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I hope you don’t mind a protestant’s perspective on this…

I can only speak for myself, but statues of saints are a side issue but not the root issue on this subject. The root belief of many protestant communities is that a person is to pray just to God through Jesus Christ, who is considered the “sole mediator” between God and man.

Therefore, in my opinion, the bigger issue for Catholics to answer is “Why would a person need to ask intercession from a saint in the first place?”. If you are prepared to explain the belief of intercession of the saints, it should be easier to explain what role statues or images play.

Most protestants understand that Catholics don’t worship statues, but some may be confused into thinking Catholics do just that when a Catholic prays to a statue of a saint because many don’t understand the role of the intercession of saints in Catholicism in the first place.

Just my two cents and food for thought im your preparation in sharing with protestants on this subject.
 
Tommy999 said:
I hope you don’t mind a protestant’s perspective on this…

I can only speak for myself, but statues of saints are a side issue but not the root issue on this subject. The root belief of many protestant communities is that a person is to pray just to God through Jesus Christ, who is considered the “sole mediator” between God and man.

Therefore, in my opinion, the bigger issue for Catholics to answer is “Why would a person need to ask intercession from a saint in the first place?”. If you are prepared to explain the practice of “intercession of Maty and the saints”, it should be easier to explain what role statues or images play.

Most protestants understand that Catholics don’t worship statues, but some may be confused into thinking Catholics do just that when a Catholic prays to a statue of a saint because many don’t understand the role of the intercession of saints in Catholicism in the first place.

Just my two cents and foor for thought im your preparation in dealing with protestants on this subject.
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Ok, now THIS, I know how to answer with the support of many verses from the Bible. I was just researching the saints and their intersection actually, so I found even more support to it. But thanks for giving me a way of how to start my defense. 🙂

God bless
 
JReducation said:
This is not really a matter that requires agreement or disagreement. It’s the vision of Saints Clare and Francis and it has worked for the Franciscan family for 800 years. We present. If the other person listens, we continue to present. If they don’t listen, we back off. We continue to speak through our actions and the way that we live the Gospel. It’s a very simple spirituality and a very simple method of mission.

It’s certainly not the only method. Clare and Francis never said it was. I just put it on the table, because we have used it and it works. I know there are other methods that work as well. The best one being the Jesuit method.

Remember, there are more than 10 schools of evangelization approved by the Catholic Church. The Franciscan School is only one of them. Just choose a school that you’re comfortable with and go with it. Just don’t invent one that the Church does not approve.

Pope Francis has made it very clear that he disapproves of proselytizing. We owe him respect and obedience, even though this is not a dogma, it is the voice of authority speaking. None of the 10 approved schools use proselytism for mission. If one does not like the Franciscan school, one need not disagree with it, because there is nothing to disagree with. It works. One can say that it does not work for him or her and then go looking for another that enjoys the approval of the Church. If I were dealing with Protestants, I would probably become very familiar with Francis de Sales. He was one of the most successful and gentle missionaries among the Protestants. Explore the Salesian School.
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I understand and respect the Franciscans’ ways of evangelization. However I was not looking for ways to evangelize others! I just wanted to defend my faith with proof from the Bible. I want them to know how our Church wouldn’t have us practice anything that is not biblical.

Thank you and God bless 🙂
 
Tommy999 said:
I hope you don’t mind a protestant’s perspective on this…

I can only speak for myself, but statues of saints are a side issue but not the root issue on this subject. The root belief of many protestant communities is that a person is to pray just to God through Jesus Christ, who is considered the “sole mediator” between God and man.

Therefore, in my opinion, the bigger issue for Catholics to answer is “Why would a person need to ask intercession from a saint in the first place?”. If you are prepared to explain the belief of intercession of the saints, it should be easier to explain what role statues or images play.

Most protestants understand that Catholics don’t worship statues, but some may be confused into thinking Catholics do just that when a Catholic prays to a statue of a saint because many don’t understand the role of the intercession of saints in Catholicism in the first place.

Just my two cents and food for thought im your preparation in sharing with protestants on this subject.
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I was Evangelical Protestant for the first 47 years of my life. I grew up in a church pastored by Gary Smalley, and John Ortberg grew up with me in Sunday school and youth group. That should give you an idea of the quality of the teaching that I received in my church.

My husband grew up in the Assemblies of God church. In fact, his church was one of the first in our area to be called a “megachurch” because over 5000 attended on any given Sunday (and it’s still pretty large).

In the Assemblies of God denomination that my husband grew up in, the Christians believed in and practiced asking other Christians to pray for them and their needs. Has this teaching changed? Do the Christians you worship with not believe in asking others to pray for them? Do you not believe in intercessory prayer for others; e.g., for the missionaries?
 
Mark121359 said:
Here is Patrick Madrid’s response on the subject of Catholics “worshiping” statues that you mention.
patrickmadrid.com/did-you-hear-the-one-about-catholics-worshiping-statues/

Peace Mark
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That’s a very good link, Mark. Also, here is a link from Tim Staples on the communion of the saints that I just finished reading, in case anyone wanted to see additional info on it. May the Lord bless all of you!

timstaples.com/wordpress/category/communion-of-saints/
 
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