It is one of the leading doctrines of Romanism that the pope is the visible head of the universal church of Christ, invested with supreme authority over bishops and pastors in all parts of the world. More than this, the pope had arrogated the very titles of Deity. He styles himself “Lord God the Pope,” assumes infallibility, and demands that all men pay him homage. Thus the same claim urged by Satan in the wilderness of temptation is still urged by him through the Church of Rome, and vast numbers are ready to yield him homage.
But shouldn’t those who fear and reverence God meet this Heaven-daring assumption as Christ met the solicitation of the wily foe? “Thou salt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” – Luke 4:8. God has never given a hint in his word that he has appointed any man to be the head of the church. The doctrine of papal supremacy is directly opposed the teachings of the Scriptures. The pope can have no power over Christ’s church except by usurpation.
So why don’t Catholics worship ONLY God, this is a very serious matter, please note my references:
Ex:34:14: For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Isa:43:11: I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
Isa:45:6: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me.I am the LORD, and there is none else.
2006-11-14 02:08:37 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
+ The Pope +
Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:17-19)
The Catholic Church believes the Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the "rock" of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock.
The Pope is the senior pastor of 1.1 billion Catholics, the direct successor of Simon Peter.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm#880
+ Titles of the Pope +
The Pope does not call himself "Lord God the Pope." (I've never even heard this accusation before)
One of the Pope's favorite titles is "Servant of the Servants of God." Here is an example from the Vatican website: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_22021996_universi-dominici-gregis_en.html
+ Papal Infallibility +
The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is infallible at closely defined times.
The Pope is only infallible when he, in union with the body of bishops, solemnly teaches that a doctrine as true.
This comes from the words of Jesus to Peter (the first Pope) and the Apostles (the first bishops), "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Matthew 18:18) and "He who hears you hears me" (Luke 10:16).
At all other times the Pope can be just as sinful as you and me and be in need of forgiveness.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p4.htm#891 and http://www.catholic.com/library/Papal_Infallibility.asp
+ Roman Catholic +
The Catholic Church has consistently referred to itself as the “Catholic Church” at least since 107 AD, when the term appears in the writings of St. Ignatius of Antioch
The term "Roman" Catholic is rather recent.
The new Anglican Church in England started using the term “Roman” in the 1500s as one of many ways of demeaning and demonizing Catholics.
Catholics accepted this late coming adjective without too much protest. Today “Catholic” and “Roman Catholic” are interchangeable terms. Both terms are even used in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
To add a little more confusion, some apply the term “Roman Catholic Church” only to the Latin Rite Catholic Church, excluding the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches that are in full communion with the Pope, and are part of the same Church, under the Pope.
The term “Roman” neither increases nor decreases the faith, hope and love of the Catholic Church.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13121a.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic
+ With love in Christ.
2006-11-14 17:24:02 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Hi, seriously I do not begin to imagine where you got these ideas from.
The Pope is not a deity and has never been looked as such by any Catholic,he is like you and me except that he is a holy and and prayerful man. the Pope is the successer to Peter and as such is the visible head of the Catholic church with over 900 million Catholics to spiritual guide in this pilgrimage of life.
as Pope he has the guidance of the Holy Spirit in matters of infallible doctrine of faith and when he teaches a sacred truth, outside of this he is as anyone else and can make the odd mistake, but with his life of dedication to the Gospel of Christ and his life of prayer and knowledge I think that he is quite rightly the one to guide the flock.
now the Pope has never ever styled himself the lord God anything ,did you make this up or did somebody drop this one on you?, the Pope actually calls himself `the Servant of the servants of God`and this is humility.
the Pope is the same Rock on which Jesus said He would build His church,why, because it is the office of leader(Pope) that is passed on in sucession down through the ages to the present,and this office can never be overcome` on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hell will never prevail against it`
we Catholics worship God as do other Christians and after this we give due honour to His Blessed Mother and all the Saints, so I hope that you will ar least try to see that far too much rumour and speculation goes on regarding the practices of Catholic people and as the old saying goes, having a little knowledge can be dangerous.
2006-11-14 02:31:16 · answer #2 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Lord God the Pope"??? Where do you get this garbage? This is blatently false.
Infallibility is straight from the Bible, given from Jesus directly to Peter, "To you I give the keys..." It doesn't mean the pope is perfect -- or even RIGHT. It means that when he speaks in a VERY specific manner, called Ex Cathedra (literally: from the chair, ie, the throne of st peter), his teachings are considered right and proper so that the whole of the church may be one unified body of Christ. Ex Cathedra has been used fewer times in two millenia than I have fingers on one hand. It also would not be considered in effect had it not the overwhelming support of the College of Cardinals. The Pope effectively cannot, alone, speak Ex Cathedra. SHOULD something be proclaimed Ex Cathedra that was in fact in error, God will sort it out afterwards -- until then, Christians are called to a life of unity that was shattered by the Reformation.
2006-11-14 02:15:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Um, we do only worship God.
The pope is only infallible when making serious decisions of Faith from the chair of St. Peter. (and he rarely does this) He is inspired by the Holy Spirit (God) during these times. There have also been some popes who were less than humble, but what do you expect, they are human.
Oh, and just in case you were wondering, we do NOT worship Mary. We VENERATE and HONOR her as the mother of God. That's a pretty big honor after all, being the mother of God.
2006-11-14 02:26:58 · answer #4 · answered by musicgirl31♫ 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Pope may be "invested with supreme authority over bishops and pastors in all parts of the world", but it's not something he can wield in a random way. Look at this page for further info...
http://mafg.home.isp-direct.com/magist02.htm
2006-11-14 16:00:28 · answer #5 · answered by gathererofknowledge 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with JP to a point
The Catholics do worship God. You have a problem with CAtholics, buddy, I've seen a few of your questions. Try researching it a bit more before you come on here and try to accuse of stuff we don't do.
The Catholics worship God above all others. THe Pope is seen as a man closest to God, who has lived his whole life basically in the service of God and knows the Doctrines. He is not God, but one who knows the laws of the Church. WE don't worship the saints or Mary, we ask them to intercede for us, as one would ask a brother or your mom to talk to dad on your behalf.
Try learning a littlle more before you accuse another person. You slander us with your ignorant words.
2006-11-14 02:24:59 · answer #6 · answered by sister steph 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Catholics do not worship others besides God. They do, despite the fact that, pray to others, such as Mary and the Saints. there's a distinction. The prayers to Mary and the Saints specifically ask that Mary and/or the Saints pray FOR the guy. that's thought that in view that they're already long gone till now that they are closer to God than us. And for this reason, they could intercede with God on behalf of the pray-er. merely as you ask your residing chum to wish for you, you ask those Saints to wish for you. No distinction. it is not worship.
2016-10-17 06:30:23 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am Catholic and I have never worshipped anyone or anything other than God!!!!!!! I don't know where you get your information but it is incorrect. I do not understand why people believe nonCatholics over Catholics when they are told what the Catholic Church teaches. The Pope does not "demand" anything...he teaches and guides the Church.
God bless,
Stanbo
2006-11-14 02:23:43 · answer #8 · answered by Stanbo 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
B4 Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, he tell Peter, that Peter would be his rightful heir here on earth. St. Peter was a pope.
Catholics worship only one God, they are not worshipping the popes, the popes are the way to God himself...... are you wrecked? do u analyze your question first.... you what your religion? do you worship ur God? humm.....
piovictor@yahoo.com
2006-11-14 02:15:06 · answer #9 · answered by piovictor 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
For those who are illiterate of the Trinity.
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name (NOT THE NAMES) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (St. Matt. 28:20).
Many Christians begin to learn about the Trinity through knowledge of Baptism. This is also a starting point for others in comprehending why the doctrine matters to so many Christians, even though the doctrine itself teaches that the being of God is beyond complete comprehension. The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed are structured around profession of the Trinity, and are solemnly professed by converts to Christianity when they receive baptism, and in the Church's liturgy, particularly when celebrating the Eucharist. One or both of these creeds are often used as brief summations of Christian faith by mainstream denominations.
One God
God is one, and the Godhead a single being: The Hebrew Scriptures lift this one article of faith above others, and surround it with stern warnings against departure from this central issue of faith, and of faithfulness to the covenant God had made with them. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD" (Deuteronomy 6:4) (the Shema), "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Deuteronomy 5:7) and, "Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel and his redeemer the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6). Any formulation of an article of faith which does not insist that God is solitary, that divides worship between God and any other, or that imagines God coming into existence rather than being God eternally, is not capable of directing people toward the knowledge of God, according to the trinitarian understanding of the Old Testament. The same insistence is found in the New Testament: "...there is none other God but one" (1 Corinthians 8:4). The "other gods" warned against are therefore not gods at all, but substitutes for God, and so are, according to St. Paul, simply mythological or are demons.
So, in the trinitarian view, the common conception which thinks of the Father and Christ as two separate beings, is incorrect. The central, and crucial affirmation of Christian faith is that there is one savior, God, and one salvation, manifest in Jesus Christ, to which there is access only because of the Holy Spirit. The God of the Old is still the same as the God of the New. In Christianity, it is understood that statements about a solitary god are intended to distinguish the Hebraic understanding from the polytheistic view, which see divine power as shared by several separate beings, beings which can, and do, disagree and have conflicts with each other. The concept of Many comprising One is quite visible in the Gospel of John, chapter 17, verses 20 through 23.
God exists in three persons
The "Shield of the Trinity" or "Scutum Fidei" diagram of traditional Western Christian symbolism.This one God however exists in three persons, or in the Greek hypostases. God has but a single divine nature. Chalcedonians — Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants — hold that, in addition, the Second Person of the Trinity — God the Son, Jesus — assumed human nature, so that he has two natures (and hence two wills), and is really and fully both true God and true human.
The singleness of God's being and the multiplicity of the Divine Persons together account for the nature of Christian salvation, and disclose the gift of eternal life. "Through the Son we have access to the Father in one Spirit" (Ephesians 2:18). Communion with the Father is the goal of the Christian faith and is eternal life. It is given to humans through the Divine union with humanity in Jesus Christ who, although fully God, died for sinners "in the flesh" to accomplish their redemption, and this forgiveness, restoration, and friendship with God is made accessible through the gift to the Church of the Holy Spirit, who, being God, knows the Divine Essence intimately and leads and empowers the Christian to fulfill the will of God. Thus, this doctrine touches on every aspect of the trinitarian Christian's faith and life; and this explains why it has been so earnestly contended for, throughout Christian history.
Source(s):
Douay Rheims Bible
78 References and Illusions To The Trinity Found In The Sacred Scriptures
I. Even the Old Testament makes definite reference both to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 11:2 "...the Spirit ... the Lord ... Him"
Isaiah 42:1 "My Servant ... I ... My Spirit ... upon Him"
Isaiah 48:16 "The Lord God ... His Spirit ... sent Me"
Isaiah 61:1 "Spirit of the Lord God ... upon Me ... the Lord"
Isaiah 63:9 "He ...the Angel of His Presence ... His Holy Spirit"
II. Close examination of the following New Testament scriptures will make obvious to any student of the Bible that the doctrine of the Godhead is truth.
Matthew 1:20, 21 "the Lord (the Father) ... the Holy Spirit ... Jesus"
Matthew 3:16, 17 "Jesus ... the Spirit of God ... a Voice from heaven (the Father)"
Matthew 12:18 "I ... My Spirit ... on Him"
Matthew 22:42, 43 "Christ ... the Spirit ... Lord (the Father)"
Mark 1:9-11 "Jesus ... the Spirit ... a Voice from heaven ... My beloved Son"
Mark 12:35, 36 "Christ ... the Holy Spirit ... the Lord (the Father)"
Luke 1:35 "the Holy Spirit ... the Highest ... the Son of God"
Luke 2:26, 27 "the Holy Spirit ... Christ ... Jesus"
Luke 3:21, 22 "Jesus ... the Holy Spirit ... a Voice from heaven ... My beloved Son"
Luke 10:21 "Jesus ... the Spirit ... Father"
Luke 12:9, 10 "God ... the Son ... the Holy Spirit"
John 3:5 "Jesus ... the Spirit ... God"
John 3:34, 35 "God ... the Spirit ... the Father ... the Son"
John 4:24, 25 "God ... a Spirit ... Messiah... Christ"
John 14:16, 17, 26 "the Comforter ... the Father ... in My name"
John 15:26 "the Comforter ... the Father ... of Me"
John 20:21, 22 "Jesus ... Father ... the Holy Spirit"
Acts 2:32,33 "Jesus ... God ... the Father ... the Holy Spirit"
Acts 2:38,39 "Jesus Christ ... the Holy Spirit ... God"
Acts 4:30,31 "Jesus ... the Holy Spirit ... God"
Acts 5:31,32 "God ... a Prince and Savior ... the Holy Spirit"
Acts 7:55 "the Holy Spirit ... Jesus ... God"
Acts 8:14_16 "God ... the Holy Spirit ... Jesus"
Acts 10:38 "God ... Jesus ... the Holy Spirit"
Acts 10:46_48 "God ... the Holy Spirit ... the Lord"
Acts 11:16, 17 "the Lord... the Holy Spirit ... God ... the Lord Jesus Christ"
Acts 20:21_23 "God ... Jesus ... the Holy Spirit"
Romans 1:1,3,4 "God ... His Son, Jesus Christ ... the Spirit"
Romans 5:5,6 "God ... the Holy Spirit ... Christ"
Romans 8:2,3 "the Spirit ... Jesus ... God ... His own Son"
Romans 8:8,9 "God ... the Spirit ... the Spirit of Christ"
Romans 8:16, 17 "the Spirit ... God ... Christ"
Romans 14:17, 18 "the Holy Spirit ... Christ... God"
Romans 15:12, 13 "Root of Jesse (Jesus) ... God ... Holy Spirit"
Romans 15:16 "Jesus ... God ... the Holy Spirit"
Romans 15:30 "The Lord Jesus Christ ... the Spirit ... God"
1 Corinthians 6:10, 11 "God ... the Lord Jesus... the Spirit"
I Corinthians 12:4_6 "Spirit ... Lord... God"
1 Corinthians 7:39, 40 "the Lord Jesus ... the Spirit ... God"
1 Corinthians 8:2 "the Lord Jesus ... the Spirit ... God"
2 Corinthians 3:3, 4 "the Spirit ... Christ ... God"
2 Corinthians 13:14 "Jesus... God ... the Holy Spirit"
2 Corinthians 5:5, 6 "God ... the Spirit ... the Lord (Jesus)"
Galatians 4:6, 7 "God ... the Spirit ... Son ... Father ... God ... Christ"
Ephesians 2:18 "through Him (Jesus) ... Spirit ... the Father"
Ephesians 2:21, 22 "the Lord ... God ... the Spirit"
Ephesians 3:14, 16 "the Father ... Jesus Christ ... His Spirit"
Ephesians 4:4-6 "Spirit ... Lord (Jesus) ... God and Father"
Ephesians 5:18-20 "Spirit ... Lord (Jesus) ... God ... Father"
Colossians 1:6-8 "God ... Christ ... Spirit"
1Thessalonians 4:6-8 "Lord (Jesus) ... God ... Holy Spirit"
1 Thessalonians 5:18, 19 "God ... Father ... Christ ... Jesus ... Spirit"
2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14 "God ... Lord... God ... Spirit ... Lord Jesus Christ"
Titus 3:4-6 "God ... Holy Spirit ... Jesus Christ"
Hebrews 2:3, 4 "Lord (Jesus) ... God ... Holy Spirit"
Hebrews 3:4, 6, 7 "God ... Christ... Holy Spirit"
Hebrews 6:4-6 "Holy Spirit ... God ... Son"
Hebrews 9:14 "Christ ... Spirit ... God"
Hebrews 10:29-31 "Son of God ... Spirit ... Lord ... God"
1 Peter 1:2 "God the Father ... Spirit ... Jesus Christ"
1 Peter 3:18 "Christ ... God ... Spirit"
1 Peter 4:14 "Christ ... Spirit ... God"
2 Peter 1:21 "God ... Holy Spirit... Lord (Jesus)"
2 Peter 2:1 "God ... Holy Spirit ... Lord (Jesus)"
1 John 4:2 "Spirit ... Jesus ... God"
1 John 4:13, 14 "Spirit ... Father ... Son ... Savior"
1 John 5:7 "Father... Word ... Holy Spirit"
Jude 20, 21 "the Holy Spirit... God... Lord ... Jesus Christ"
Revelation 1:9, 10 "Jesus Christ ... God ... Jesus Christ ... Spirit"
Revelation 3:5-7 "Father ... Spirit ... He that hath the key of David (Jesus)"
Revelation 14:12, 13 "God ... Jesus ... Lord ... Spirit"
Revelation 21:9, 10 "Lamb ... Spirit ... God"
Revelation 22:16-18 "the offspring of David (Jesus) ... Spirit ... God"
2006-11-14 07:24:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋