what is the most common misconception of the catholic church that you know?

Question

what is it, and how do you normally respond to it?

i have to interject here. Catholics are Christian, they believe in both faith and works.

Answer 1

The most common misconceptions of the Catholic Church are:

1. Catholics worship Mary. No, we pray to Mary for her intercession, just as you would ask a frieind or family member to pray for you.

2. Catholics think works get them to heaven. No, we believe, as it says in the Bible, that faith without works is empty. We further believe that we are saved by the death and resurrection of Jesus and that He payed the debt for our sins.

3. Catholics worship the Pope. No, we believe that the Pope is a human being, capable of sin, just like all teh rest of us. We do believe that he is the successor of St Peter on earth, however, and that when he speaks from the Chair of Peter, on a matter of faith or morals, he speaks without error. As a matter of point, Pope Benedict has never done this.

4. Catholics pay to get their loved ones out of purgatory. No, we ask that masses be said for our dead loved ones. A small donation ($5) might be made to pay for the card that we then send to teh family to let them know that a mass was said in honor of the deceased.

5. Catholics do not read the Bible. Yes, we do. John Paul II declared the year 200, the Year of the Bible, and Catholics around the world read the entire Bible during that year. Virtually all Catholic church's have a bible study program. Mine meets on Sunday after mass.

6. Catholics think the Sacraments get them to heaven. No, we believe that only the death and resurrection of Jesus get us to heaven. We believe the Sacraments give us grace to help us in this life to follow God's will for us.

7. Catholics belong to a cult. No, our church has been around for 2000 years, much longer than any other Christian church. The first protestansts didn't show up until 1450.

8. Catholics don't baptise. Yes, we do. Whether a person is is immersed or sprinkled is a man-made technicality. I cannot believe that Jesus would condemn someone to hell for all eternity because the rite of Baptism they received.

There are others. The fact is, once people understand the Catholic faith, very few of them take exception to it. There are many, many misunderstandings about Catholicism, but I hope my post clears a few of them up for you.

Answer 2

I have read some questions about Mary on Yahoo Answers. Many people think that Catholics worship Mary over Jesus or God.

The replies are very good- the replies explain the relationship between Mary and Jesus and how Catholics pray to her to intercede to Jesus for them.

Many think Catholics worship idols (statues of saints). The replies are also well thought out and right to the point. The statues are just statues- to remind us of the saints. They were human and were able to follow God. They are NOT graven images. Catholics do NOT worship saints. Catholics pray to the saints to intercede to God for them.

It may seem convoluted, but Catholics believe the more prayers going to God for them, the better!

Answer 3

The most common misconception is that it is a Christian church, but that is a lie.

The Catholic Church does not follow God's Word.

Answer 4

That Catholic is Christian. I usually inform people that it's not the case because Catholicism believes in salvation by works, you have to do all these different things to get into heaven, but Jesus clearly said several times you are saved by grace ALONE. no one can get into heaven by the things they do alone. Also, they pray memorized prayers when they sin and confess them so that God will forgive them, but this isn't the case either. Jesus died for forgiveness of our sins, so there is nothing we can do besides asking for forgiveness that will make us forgiven. Finally, I bring up how they pray to the virgin mary and other saints, and that's taking authority away from God. Oh yeah, and they have a different bible.

Answer 5

Choose One:

The Immaculate Conception
Virgin Birth
Miracles
Resurrection of Jesus
Ascension into Heaven
The Assumption of Mary.

I'll stop there.


.

Answer 6

THE VRIGIN MARY....Catholics believe that Mary is in heaven and lives as the Queen of heaven. Also that she has a crown on her head depicting a queen. This scripture in Revelations is speaking about Isreal NOT Mary as a queen. I have heard Nuns praying to Mary in heaven and ending the prayer in "the Name of Jesus and Mary" Mary died the same as everyone else!! They have made Mary a God-Like Idol! This is one of the main reasons for the Reformation. Protestants do not accept this, because it is a lie! God bless you in your search for the Truth.

Answer 7

I'd say a big one is that we worship Mary. We honor her, and pray through her intercession. Another one is that all priests molest boys. Sure, there are a select few who do, but you can't base the whole Church on a few bad people who are in it.

Answer 8

That you shouldn't have any miscomceptions of the Catholic Church! I respond with "WRONG"!

Really, excommunication from the church. Are they in full authority of judgement to make that determination? (Are they God?)

And the point winner goes to.........
The one who says something REALLY nice about the Catholic Church.

Answer 9

purgatory
infant baptism
Keeping Sunday
Praying to the saints
These are jsut a few. My response depends on the circumstances and the person.

Answer 10

that a priest can give forgiveness of your sin by pennance and guilt. jesus did that already we just need to acknowledge and ask forgivness of him and then we should not feel guilt as you then go against his sacrifice.