Why don't many Protestants (here) read about Catholicism before attacking its Traditions?

Question

Like veneration of the saints (ancient Jewish tradition):
http://www.catholic.com/library/praying_to_the_saints.asp

And whatnot:
http://www.catholic.com/

In case you are interested in anything but mud slinging.

I was Protestant.

I am here to give the link as much as anything else. I am not so much offended by the mud (many COULD have defensible arguements) as the ignorance with which they throw it.

I will not say that I necessarily am adamant about all Catholic teachings either. Only that their arguements are valid, and that in order to have meaningful conversations, they must be understood.

I really don't think you should use psalms in your proofs.

Even if the site I sighted did.

Skahhh the Catholic church does not teach condemnation of other churches. The Catholic church has not said wether anyone in particular is in heaven or not, save for those who seem clearly to be.

I must remind you, however, that belief in Jesus as God and Saviour means that worshipping Him is safest.

Answer 1

Before the canon of the Bible, the Christian Rule of Faith (TRADITION) included belief in the Apostolic succession through the Episcopate, the authority of Tradition itself, the authority of Scripture, the three fold ministry (bishop-priest-deacon), the Eucharist as Sacrifice and others. The historical evidence is there for anyone who wishes to see it.

The bible itself is Tradition and that can be proven with a bit of reading, but as long as Christians hang on to their prejudice, they will remain locked in to a reductionist religion that can only take them so far.

Before the canon of the Bible the Christian Rule of Faith (TRADITION) included belief in baptismal regeneration, prayers for the dead, veneration of the Saints, the Seven sacraments, the evangelical counsels, and others. The historical evidence is there for anyone who wishes to see it.

The Catholic Church is thoroughly aware of what Protestant churches teach but no Protestant church, group, fellowship, or independent bless-me-club is aware of what the Catholic church teaches.

The Traditions mentioned above are dear to us Catholics and have been part of the Deposit of Faith given to us from the Apostles. Hundreds of Protestant ministers and bible scholars have converted to Catholicism because God has called them and they have the humility to respond.

Sacred Tradition has come under attack since the 16th century in order to support the doctrine of sola scriptura, or "Bible-alone" theology. It is a late-comer in the history of Christianity, is totally man-made, is not taught anywhere in the bible, it has no defense, and cannot work because of the divisions it has caused.

Answer 2

Catholicism or any other religion that proclaims on one hand that there is One all knowing, ever present God and then worships one person who lived as a human as the perfection of its doctrine is dangerous to society when mixed with a second premise of eternal damnation worship or separation from God as an afterlife probability for much of society's. Many people are pretty much fed up with Christianity, Judaism, Islam and many other religions because they all do this. It is not just about Catholics. But why change or give more credit to the same dysfunctional book with a different cover? I am a Forgive Affirmed Spirit and I worship that same spirit in others during their moments of that spirit, even Jesus's spirit times as well as Isaac's, Moses's , Mohammed's, etc etc etc. I see fundamental Christian eternal damnation worship as a weakness in that way of life no matter where it comes from. I am a recovering cathaholic, baptaholic and methodaholic...in that order.

Answer 3

It is because the catholic church has been and still is way off base in their doctrine, and how they've twisted the true Word of God to accomodate a variety of false teaching.

For example, the first of your links above refers to prayer. The quoted, Rev. 5:8, does not "depict the saints praying on our behalf" has is argued. It is the incense bowls that are full of our prayers. And praying to "saints" is idiotic at best. The rest of the arguements and verses quoted after that point are just as unclear. To argue that the departed saints intercede for us is ridiculous at best. Like praying to Mary. She does NOT intercede for anyone. She was just as sinful and in need of God's saving grace as anyone. She is NOT the "queen of heaven", but rather was attributed that "title" akin to others who hold that same title (like Ishtar, Isis for example) from the other cults from which the concept arose.

Another thing you mentioned, like "ancient Jewish tradition" - was a very point that Jesus talked about when chastising the scribes of his day when they complained that He healed on the sabbath. They were arguing the "letter of the law" and the further "oral traditions" that had evolved over the years instead of seeing the obvious spirit of the law. Just because something is tradition, doesn't make it right.

There are literally countless points on which to discuss why anyone who is slightly educated might seem to come against the catholic teachings, but suffice it to say, perhaps you should look into why that might be...look at some facts, instead of the defense arguments in those links.

Answer 4

I'm not a Protestant but I used to be a Catholic until I discovered the many errors of this religion. You should do your research too, and not just accept the things the Catholic church teach you (or any other human religion system for that matter). You should challenge your Catholic belief to see if it really adheres to the truths in the Bible. You'd be surprised at what you will discover if you were really sincere in seeking the truth.

Answer 5

Actually I think that the doctrines that should be opposed by the Protestant Church are barely known by the Protestants. I converted from Catholicism and know a lot of this Religion, but I find that the average Protestant knows next to nothing on this topic.
This being said, I don't mud sling, so your point is lost on me.
Sorry.

Answer 6

There are two problems with praying, communicating etc with the Saints

1) The Bible says not to talk to the dead in Deuteronomy 18:11, Isaiah 8:19-22, Chronicles 10:13.


2) The Bile also says that those that are dead are not in Heaven and can't hear us.
Psalms 115:17 The dead praise not the Lord.

Psalms 6:5 In death there is no remembrance of thee.

Isaiah 38:18 Death can not celebrate thee.

Psalms 146:4 His thoughts perish.

Job 21:32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they shall die; but the dead do not know anything, nor do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten.

"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the LAST DAY."
John 6:40

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the LAST DAY.
John 6:44

Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the LAST DAY.
John 6:54

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the LAST DAY.
John 11:23-24

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the LAST DAY.
John 12:48

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment
Hebrews 9:27

The order: death – resurrection - judgment


If you go directly to Heaven wouldn't you be praising and thanking God? Yet the Bible Says

Psalms 115:17 The dead praise not the Lord.



Certain people had special resurections or were taken directly to Heaven like Enoch Genesis 5:24, Moses, Jude 9, 2 Kings 2:11, those resurected when Jesus rose, but not everyone rose from the dead and went to Heaven because Peter says David is dead buried and did not go to Heaven Acts 2:29-35


The tradition contradicts the Bible that is why we can't pray to the Saints or Mary.

Answer 7

Honey it is an old saying that if you want to start an argument, just mention how you believe and worship
God.
It is age old and always been this way, we disagree with everyone around us, because God is different to each of us.
If someone slings mud at your beliefs, pray for them, and God will show them who and what is right when He sees fit. I understand being offended., but they are just nit picking people, not God. So don't judge them with any other measure than you would like to be measured with and let God be the one who holds the measure cup!

Answer 8

Protestants did not like the fact that the Catholic faith set that you HAD to DO the RELIGION in THIS order OR you will be going to hell. You HAVE to worship Mary. If you did not notice, "Ancient JEWISH Tradition" early Christianity tried to set itself apart from being another "Jewish Sect" I believe it was Jesus that said "I am not here to throw out the law, but to fulfill it" I believe that it is not wrong to honor those past, but it's one of the reasons Protestants shy from Catholics.

Answer 9

Maybe it's for the same reason that the Catholic Church didn't bother to find out about Wicca, before they tortured and murdered thousands of people throughout the known world.

Answer 10

I think the traditions of men are not the commandments of God. Just sharing.