O
For starters I have respect for the catholic belief system - however, every since I went to catholic church and attended school, the whole saints and Mary thing always seemed weird.
I was continually asked why I refused to say the " Hail Mary," prayer or send my prayers to her, and one of my best friends was trying to explain how each saint has some special title or something, like praying to Mark for protection or some specification like that.
It seems so sketch to me honestly, especially the Mary thing.
Mary for starters, was just a prophetess that God used to carry out his will; I respect her as far as her being sinless and a good christian example, but seriously all this stuff about her being the " Holy Mother of God " she is a mere woman who did what God told her too out of good faith. There is nothing and was nothing divine about her. She has no authority to forgive sins or answer prayers or mediated between God and us, because the bible says that the only mediator to God is Christ:
" For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ..."
1 Timothy 2:5
Jesus Christ never prayed to Mary or revered in such a way - so I don't understand why Mary has suddenly become this Mother of God spiritual oracle? Some say she was free of sin, but no being on earth had their sins uncounted before Jesus's Christ sacrifice. She was a God fearing woman nonetheless and had a heart for Father, but Mary was a typical human being - a sinner like the rest of us ( most likely an unintentional one,) who had a heart and mind for God, and he blessed her to carry out his will.
"In a loud voice she called out, “God has blessed you more than other women. And blessed is the child you will have! 43 But why is God so kind to me? Why has the mother of my Lord come to me?
That verse when Mary talks about " mother of God," she's speaking in a sense of it being a title as she's asking why has God chosen her to be blessed and give birth to the physical Lord Jesus - not that she's declaring she is some Holy divine Mother of God. That's why it is in a question form.
As far as the saints, I didn't really get the gist of praying to them either for the same reason. Only God can forgive sins, and again only Christ is the mediator between God and men, that is why the apostles constantly said pray in the name of Jesus Christ, not pray in my name or any other person's name. I figure it is done this way to avoid confusion and giving man authority like God; plus it is also a testament of faith, because you have to first believe Jesus is savior in order to believe he will hear the prayers and forgive one's sins.
I suppose this is why the pope came to be called " Holy Father," even though the bible says:
" And do not call anyone on earth ' father' for you have only one Father, and he is in heaven."
Matthew 23:9
Odd God would need to specify that; a lot of catholic priest are called " father" in a spiritual sense and it crosses that threshold that God seems to be warning against here. Why is he warning? I figure it has something to do with people misleading with the gospel due to these titles, and even some acting as false prophets :/
I read the cathechism a bit and it does an okay job of trying to sugarcoat that it sorta overlooks context declared in the bible.
Such a huge power as the Pope too seems sketchy and the Catholic Church was quite the authority in history, still is now as it has the most denominational believers ( 50 million,) I last read - I mean we're talking about a church that overstepped the authority of the government and regulated the killings of hundreds of people via the Inquisition, witch hunts etc - all under the authority of the " Holy Father," the pope at that time. Not to mention the various council meetings like Nicea in which the church pretty much decided the way it wanted religion to go, again under the authority of a human man whom many to believe to be some mediator to God. Um, dunno bout that.
Anyway, I mean no disrespect, I'm just really curious about this denomination, because it's so popular but takes on it's own interesting way of deciphering God and regulating this and that.
Not to mention that the Catholic Church got rid of the 2nd commandment about making images of things in Heaven or earth, and a lot of catholic churches are adorned with crucifixes, statues of Mary and this and that. I believe there are several occasions in which the pope bows down before a statue of the virgin Mary - which there are rumors that the statue of Mary holding Jesus was adopted from a pagan goddess who was also holding her son.
Matter of factly, Jesus Christ's life has been perpetuated through the lives of other pagan gods as almost a copy; I know from history there was a time when pagans and christians commenced together, so it wouldn't be surprising that some ideas got shared or traded here and there. Only problem is that now no one knows who's following correctly according to the bible, because every person has their own interpretation and spin on it, as the Reformation allowed subjective translation and understanding of the bible depending on the reader. The Catholic Church was the first to split between the Easter and Western churches, which is when the councils took place and things went from there.
What's odd is that Jesus said this all was to happen when he departed, and even in reading the books after Jesus's death, the apostles already begin to experience people of the churches waivering a bit in the gospel that Jesus left behind.
Idk lol - just what's been on my mind lately
I'm obviously no theologian ha ha, so forgive me for lack of being scholarly in the finer details of Catholicism; these are but the bigger ideas I've noticed. The Catholic church is kind of scary a little bit, so much bloodshed in it's history and popes who lived and still live practically like kings being carried around, adorned in fine clothes and praised as some " Holy Father."
How is one sure the Pope is truly of heart? I know there are a lot of steps a pope must take to become pope, but who is regulating these steps really? A manuscript made by the church itself over time ( by mere men of the church?) whom declare that " God " made the choice?
I mean even looking at the people God picked in the bible; Judas was to betray God, I think one of the disciples was a tax collector and another persecuted Christians; these men weren't " holy " by standards, and yet God called them randomly to do his will. How does one know for sure that the Pope has been called by God? Does he abide by God's true regulations as said in the bible? Or has the church created it's own divine authority and has carried out it's decision via that way?
I read a while ago that there is a belief that the Catholic Church is " without fallacy," and I was told many times when I attended catholic school that the church was, " The true church God established." How can one be so sure? Especially with a church that has it's own spin on the bible " le catechism," which an ex catholic said something about one of the adult type catechisms saying something about the bible not being the 100% way to salvation, and that's why the church had to express it in another book and explain the true way to salvation ( sketchy much?) the crosses, the statues, the " holy fathers," the authority - the Catholic church is kind of creepy no offense.
Plus it's been pretty controlling and intense in it's history - like I read about the " selling of indulgences," which people bought to excuse their sin? What church has the authority to forgive sin?
Idk - again I don't mean to be offensive or anything, but Catholicism just seems a bit sketch.
If you want to answer the questions I'll bullet point them so they'll be easier:
1.) Why is Mary revered as the Mother of God, and prayed too like a goddess or divine authority figure?
2.) Why are the saints prayed to in a similar manner as Mary?
3.) Do you believe the Catholic Church has a lot of power in it's history? Do you think it is still a powerful spiritual force these days?
4.) Why is the Pope addressed as " Holy Father," is he believed to be of God or a mediator to God?
5.) Does the Catholic Church really have the true authority of God to be labeled as infaliable?
6.) Can a true church of God be one that persecuted so many Christians long ago?
7.) Do you believe Mary, the rosary, and saints have " power " of some sort to be revered as they are?
8.) What is the real purpose of the catechism? Was the bible not enough?
9.) Did men of the church through history begin to enforce their own teachings instead? Did people ( protestants,) also began conducting their own teachings and interpretations instead?
10.) What's better with milk; chocolate chip cookies or oreo's?
Thanks for listening ^^
Again I mean no anger to anyone - just a curious christian girl, making sure her faith is in the right place
I was continually asked why I refused to say the " Hail Mary," prayer or send my prayers to her, and one of my best friends was trying to explain how each saint has some special title or something, like praying to Mark for protection or some specification like that.
It seems so sketch to me honestly, especially the Mary thing.
Mary for starters, was just a prophetess that God used to carry out his will; I respect her as far as her being sinless and a good christian example, but seriously all this stuff about her being the " Holy Mother of God " she is a mere woman who did what God told her too out of good faith. There is nothing and was nothing divine about her. She has no authority to forgive sins or answer prayers or mediated between God and us, because the bible says that the only mediator to God is Christ:
" For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ..."
1 Timothy 2:5
Jesus Christ never prayed to Mary or revered in such a way - so I don't understand why Mary has suddenly become this Mother of God spiritual oracle? Some say she was free of sin, but no being on earth had their sins uncounted before Jesus's Christ sacrifice. She was a God fearing woman nonetheless and had a heart for Father, but Mary was a typical human being - a sinner like the rest of us ( most likely an unintentional one,) who had a heart and mind for God, and he blessed her to carry out his will.
"In a loud voice she called out, “God has blessed you more than other women. And blessed is the child you will have! 43 But why is God so kind to me? Why has the mother of my Lord come to me?
That verse when Mary talks about " mother of God," she's speaking in a sense of it being a title as she's asking why has God chosen her to be blessed and give birth to the physical Lord Jesus - not that she's declaring she is some Holy divine Mother of God. That's why it is in a question form.
As far as the saints, I didn't really get the gist of praying to them either for the same reason. Only God can forgive sins, and again only Christ is the mediator between God and men, that is why the apostles constantly said pray in the name of Jesus Christ, not pray in my name or any other person's name. I figure it is done this way to avoid confusion and giving man authority like God; plus it is also a testament of faith, because you have to first believe Jesus is savior in order to believe he will hear the prayers and forgive one's sins.
I suppose this is why the pope came to be called " Holy Father," even though the bible says:
" And do not call anyone on earth ' father' for you have only one Father, and he is in heaven."
Matthew 23:9
Odd God would need to specify that; a lot of catholic priest are called " father" in a spiritual sense and it crosses that threshold that God seems to be warning against here. Why is he warning? I figure it has something to do with people misleading with the gospel due to these titles, and even some acting as false prophets :/
I read the cathechism a bit and it does an okay job of trying to sugarcoat that it sorta overlooks context declared in the bible.
Such a huge power as the Pope too seems sketchy and the Catholic Church was quite the authority in history, still is now as it has the most denominational believers ( 50 million,) I last read - I mean we're talking about a church that overstepped the authority of the government and regulated the killings of hundreds of people via the Inquisition, witch hunts etc - all under the authority of the " Holy Father," the pope at that time. Not to mention the various council meetings like Nicea in which the church pretty much decided the way it wanted religion to go, again under the authority of a human man whom many to believe to be some mediator to God. Um, dunno bout that.
Anyway, I mean no disrespect, I'm just really curious about this denomination, because it's so popular but takes on it's own interesting way of deciphering God and regulating this and that.
Not to mention that the Catholic Church got rid of the 2nd commandment about making images of things in Heaven or earth, and a lot of catholic churches are adorned with crucifixes, statues of Mary and this and that. I believe there are several occasions in which the pope bows down before a statue of the virgin Mary - which there are rumors that the statue of Mary holding Jesus was adopted from a pagan goddess who was also holding her son.
Matter of factly, Jesus Christ's life has been perpetuated through the lives of other pagan gods as almost a copy; I know from history there was a time when pagans and christians commenced together, so it wouldn't be surprising that some ideas got shared or traded here and there. Only problem is that now no one knows who's following correctly according to the bible, because every person has their own interpretation and spin on it, as the Reformation allowed subjective translation and understanding of the bible depending on the reader. The Catholic Church was the first to split between the Easter and Western churches, which is when the councils took place and things went from there.
What's odd is that Jesus said this all was to happen when he departed, and even in reading the books after Jesus's death, the apostles already begin to experience people of the churches waivering a bit in the gospel that Jesus left behind.
Idk lol - just what's been on my mind lately
I'm obviously no theologian ha ha, so forgive me for lack of being scholarly in the finer details of Catholicism; these are but the bigger ideas I've noticed. The Catholic church is kind of scary a little bit, so much bloodshed in it's history and popes who lived and still live practically like kings being carried around, adorned in fine clothes and praised as some " Holy Father."
How is one sure the Pope is truly of heart? I know there are a lot of steps a pope must take to become pope, but who is regulating these steps really? A manuscript made by the church itself over time ( by mere men of the church?) whom declare that " God " made the choice?
I mean even looking at the people God picked in the bible; Judas was to betray God, I think one of the disciples was a tax collector and another persecuted Christians; these men weren't " holy " by standards, and yet God called them randomly to do his will. How does one know for sure that the Pope has been called by God? Does he abide by God's true regulations as said in the bible? Or has the church created it's own divine authority and has carried out it's decision via that way?
I read a while ago that there is a belief that the Catholic Church is " without fallacy," and I was told many times when I attended catholic school that the church was, " The true church God established." How can one be so sure? Especially with a church that has it's own spin on the bible " le catechism," which an ex catholic said something about one of the adult type catechisms saying something about the bible not being the 100% way to salvation, and that's why the church had to express it in another book and explain the true way to salvation ( sketchy much?) the crosses, the statues, the " holy fathers," the authority - the Catholic church is kind of creepy no offense.
Plus it's been pretty controlling and intense in it's history - like I read about the " selling of indulgences," which people bought to excuse their sin? What church has the authority to forgive sin?
Idk - again I don't mean to be offensive or anything, but Catholicism just seems a bit sketch.
If you want to answer the questions I'll bullet point them so they'll be easier:
1.) Why is Mary revered as the Mother of God, and prayed too like a goddess or divine authority figure?
2.) Why are the saints prayed to in a similar manner as Mary?
3.) Do you believe the Catholic Church has a lot of power in it's history? Do you think it is still a powerful spiritual force these days?
4.) Why is the Pope addressed as " Holy Father," is he believed to be of God or a mediator to God?
5.) Does the Catholic Church really have the true authority of God to be labeled as infaliable?
6.) Can a true church of God be one that persecuted so many Christians long ago?
7.) Do you believe Mary, the rosary, and saints have " power " of some sort to be revered as they are?
8.) What is the real purpose of the catechism? Was the bible not enough?
9.) Did men of the church through history begin to enforce their own teachings instead? Did people ( protestants,) also began conducting their own teachings and interpretations instead?
10.) What's better with milk; chocolate chip cookies or oreo's?
Thanks for listening ^^
Again I mean no anger to anyone - just a curious christian girl, making sure her faith is in the right place