Is it true that non Catholic Christians can't grasp that Mary is not worshiped, only venerated.?

Answer 1

I've come across this many times. A lot of people think that we worship Marry, and it's hard to convince them otherwise. People can be stubborn, and unwilling to look deeper into things (like Catholicism), before they make claims about it.

I noticed one of the "answers" to your question is in the form of another question, so I decided to answer this one as well.

>>"Her likeness is used as adornment in church, she is prayed to, and asked forgiveness from. How is that not a form of worship?"
>>Yes Mary's sacred image is used inside the church, to remind us of our Lord's Mother. He places a lot of importance on families, so why wouldn't we find Jesus' very own MOTHER important enough to have images of her in the place where we worship her son? Mary is prayed to only to ask her to pray FOR US. We ask her to help us pray to Jesus. Do non-Catholic Christians ask people to pray for them? Yes, all the time. So why shouldn't we ask our Lord's mother to pray for us? Just because she's no longer living here on Earth?

Personally, I can only hope that the world (Catholics and non-Catholics alike) can come to realize that Mary is not worshiped. I realize there are probably some Catholics out there that actually believe we do worship her, but they have been seriously misguided, and need to know the truth just as well.

Thanks for your question, it was a good one!

God bless =0)

Answer 2

I've heard this so much... Statues are just plaster...not idols to us. We should respect and honor Mary for what she accepted from the Holy Spirit. Her life had a significant impact... and it's quite acceptable to have her likeness displayed as a remembrance of the Holy Family. Most statues seem to be in older Catholic churches when that sort of thing was more popular. We don't ask Mary for forgiveness... I for one am tired of being "picked to pieces" on these issues. Why is it OK to see a statue of Abraham Lincoln somewhere and not accuse whoever put it up of worshipping HIM?

Answer 3

From what i've got considered, truthfully 2 issues. One, the statues. Non-Catholics see somebody kneeling in front of one in an approach of prayer, and in accordance with that visual charm anticipate that the guy is worshipping the two Mary or the statue itself. 2, the perception that prayer and worship are continuously a similar situation. to desire is to petition; this is nonetheless utilized in that experience in criminal records ("plaintiff prays that this court furnish alleviation ...") yet to three, if praying is to be carried out that's to God and God on my own, because of the fact of their minds there is not any distinction between prayer and worship. as a result the consistent harangue at Catholics for "worshipping" saints. in the 1st case, that's presumption; no possible probable comprehend what's in the middle of somebody at prayer, in basic terms what it "sounds like". in the 2d, that's a approach that as quickly as solidified isn't actual (if in any respect) amenable to the undeniable fact that, at a similar time as prayer is easily how we talk with God, it is likewise how we petition Mary and the different saints for his or her intercession. It takes not something removed from the worship and adoration simply by God on my own.

Answer 4

Worship, veneration, whatever you choose to call it, it is all wrong if it is not directed to God alone. Why can't catholics just focus on the one who actually died for them?!!! I didn't see Mary or anyone else up on the cross suffering. He alone deserves veneration, devotion, honor, worship, glory.

Answer 5

I was shocked that other Christians followed this Islamic belief of interpreting the law against idolatry so closely. (Not all non-Catholic Christians are of this opinion, however). I thought that all Christian sects were united in their beliefs of Christ's redemption, and of brotherly love. I have never heard any Catholic homily or priest ever say anything critical against other Christian sects. however, I have heard other Christian sects vociferously criticise the Catholics, even to the point of calling them evil and satanic.

All I can say to them, sadly, is "the blind following the blind."

Answer 6

I can grasp that. Considering both religions are based on books that are sexist and therefore wouldn't let a female be worshipped not to mention the theories that Mary was a representation of an old pagan goddess who was thrown down and made the "mother" of the true son of god, or however you'd like to call him, to try to make christianity more acceptable to pagans.

Answer 7

That's because they choose to learn about the Catholic faith from those who are against it rather than those who live it. I can't understand why they would believe someone not of the faith over someone who has been educated in the faith their entire life (in some cases anyway). Pity.

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 8

Even I, as an athiest, understand that the Catholics do not worship Mary...I disagree with their beliefs but don't deny that they believe it.

Answer 9

There is a different world view of reality if you look with Catholic eyes versus a Protestant view of what the bible is; how we know about the divinity & humanity of Christ; the various heresies throughout the centuries; the place of the saints; what it means to be "saved", etc etc. etc.

What a world we live in? :-)

Thanks be to God that God IS in charge!

Answer 10

Her likeness is used as adornment in church, she is prayed to, and asked forgivness from. How is that not a form of worship?