I know they feel it gets in the way, but cant they also see the other side of the issue, that art and music are meant to elevate the human soul, which is why the Catholic church has such a important place in the history of art, architecture, and music?
2006-10-22 17:31:47 · 13 answers · asked by ben 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To fundamentalists: do you not see the beauty in God's creation, man, and in the beauty of man's creations praising God and raising his own spirit. Art is the most noble of human endeavors, what beter place for such great works than in praising the One who gave such gifts? Fundamentalists must have blinders on in their view of what the human soul really is.
2006-10-22 17:39:20 · update #1
thank you bsbllplyr
2006-10-22 17:42:04 · update #2
The unity is amazing, as you said, and the pope is largely responsible. I cant understand the network of thousands of different churches which have separated, and am glad I dont have to worry about my church dissolving
2006-10-22 17:44:19 · update #3
the church has always been THE largest provider of care to those whom no one else will care for, and the churches are meant to glorify God, not ourselves
2006-10-22 17:46:25 · update #4
Have you ever asked someone to pray for you? that is what we do with Mary
2006-10-22 17:47:46 · update #5
in regards to esthers uneducated response... we do not idolize any one. we pray to Mary, not worship her. we pray to the saints so that they may pray for us! we do not idolize them! unbiblical teachings? our church is more based on the Bible than is your protestant/lutheran/ nondenomitional etc. no matter which Catholic church you go into on a given Sunday, you will hear the same readings being read as another. it is so unified, its amazing! you wont find that in other Christian religions.
2006-10-22 17:39:20 · answer #1 · answered by bsbllplayr216 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mankind has made absolutely beautiful, stunning, glorious works of art, architecture and music. the creator has gifted us with those abilities. i dont think any thinking christian is mocking catholic church with such attributes, i know of several examples of protestant buildings that are wonders to behold. personally i would catagorize art and music in one slot and architecture in another because it doesn't cost much for art supplies or lessons to play an instrument whereas billions have been spendt on buildings that people don't actually spend that much time in. i think the money would be better spendt on a very simple building that can seat its congreation and the extra money spendt on putting on a new roof for the recent widow's home, food in the injured layman's pantry, shoes for the orphaned children, etc..etc.. etc..We were not put on earth to glorify in our achievements (i.e. Tower of Babel) but rather to serve one another. It's a matter of priorities. plus protestants don't agree with a lot of catholic doctrine so it's just something else to pick on.
Edit: I grew up in the baptist church then my mom married a catholic when I was 12. i spendt many sundays in mass and yet even at that age the holy spirit was convicting me that certain doctrine of the catholic religion was unbiblical. because of that, I did not return to any church until i was an adult. i love my step dad with all my heart but we will always disagree about his religion...
2006-10-23 00:44:07 · answer #2 · answered by prismcat38 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know any Christians who mock the beauty of Catholic churches. How many of them do you know or are you drawing this conclusion by magnifying the remarks of a few that you have read about?
There's nothing wrong with a church of God being artistic and beautiful. What's wrong is if the hearts of the people who attend services there are not regenerated by the Holy Spirit because then they are like the white washed tombs that Jesus spoke about when describing the religious hypocrites of his day who trusted in outward rituals instead of the transforming work of God for their salvation.
Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! 25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. 27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
2006-10-23 00:48:09 · answer #3 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The churches are elaborate and beautiful;that's all I have to say to Catholism.
Edit:
Like everyone else said; there is idolatry in the Catholic church. Not to mention the idea of "priests" is a complete mistranslation and goes against the Bible. It's a religion made by man to control them and God does not have any existence in it. People are told to follow the Pope's word. The Pope has no place in Christianity. These are the same people who burned Protestants on the stake for believing in Jesus as Messiah.
2006-10-23 00:34:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
sorry guys, we dont "worship" the statues in there..How can you say you know what goes on in a Catholic Mass if youve never been to one.
Ya i agree with you. There not distractions. There are two churches i ussauly go to around here. One is a monastery which i wherei ussually go to daily mass. Its a huge elaborate marble building, and the mass includes beatiful music! The other church was built on a low budget, and while i do love the church, i find it much easier to pray in the monastery.
2006-10-23 00:38:24 · answer #5 · answered by Shane 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am constantly amazed by the awe inspiring archetecture found in Catholic cathedrals. But I find them cold, uninviting. THey seem to hold and constrict my soul and almost force you to worship. I am a Mormon and have the oportunity to also observe the buildings we call Temples. These are also masive and impressive structures. But these seem to draw you in and invite you to worship God. I hope you will take a look at some of your Temples and view them with an open heart and mind.
God bless.
2006-10-23 00:38:35 · answer #6 · answered by Richmond C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No doubt, it is because Protestants do not understand Catholics. (Sam can be said for Catholics to Protestants, Christians to Muslims, etc.) People fear what they do not know. When people fear something the tend to be negative about it. It's human nature.
2006-10-23 00:48:55 · answer #7 · answered by aali_and_harith 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry, it's not the church itself. It's the idolatry, the praying to Mary, the praying to saints, the unbiblical teachings of the Catholic church. And I do not "mock" it...I merely disagree with it.
2006-10-23 00:34:17 · answer #8 · answered by Esther 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
because they don't understand the value of traditions and ritual. They believe that you should never pray the same way twice, andthat the rituals help you focus your mind on God better.
2006-10-23 00:40:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
im protestant and i for one think the basillacas built are absolutely stunning. i dont think it gets in the way, catholics get a vison to build a house of worship and they do it right i must say! this is one protestant that apperciates the beatuy of holiness that you all are trying to portray
2006-10-23 01:48:49 · answer #10 · answered by yellabanana77 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋