They say that they're very similar if not all the same, but I think there's a dead end when it comes to Catholicism. They get the idea about what they're supposed to believe which is Jesus being the Son of God and you have to follow the commandments, but then they believe there's other ways you can get into heaven which is through works, church and praying to more than one person. Growing up as a Catholic I knew what we were taught about Saints but as far as praying to them is what threw me off when realizing there's Catholics who do so. Mary also being held at just about the same pedestal as Jesus and how people can also pray to her too. It clearly states that anything you also pray and worship to are idols and it also teaches about not worshiping idols. Works and confessing to a priest is what's also taken as another way to get into heaven according to them too. So no, I don't think they're both quite the same even though they have a similar idea. If anyone can back up scripture to support otherwise then by all means, but you're better off messaging me since I may or may not see it here.
Mary is a saint (not an idol)
Mary is seen as the mother of Jesus who was both fully god and fully man,
Mary is not held higher than Jesus, by Catholics
If you are of true repentance then what harm is there in confessing to a priest, they don't charge money for it or ask for a 10 percent tithe , in fact its a free service , and no one forces you to do it, you can just freely walk into a church and do it,, its up to you, and its no difference to you sharing your testimony with fellow Christians,
prayers for the saints,
revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
revelation 8:3-4 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, [SUP]4 [/SUP]and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.
look at these to scriptures the saints can pray to father, if the saints can not here you then what are they praying for ?