Catholics, why do you....?

Question

....pray to or threw the saints or mary? The bible then teachess us that there are only one mediator, and thats Jesus.
Why do you have to pay money for the sins that you have commited when the Bible teachess ud that Jesus has already paid for our sins?
Why do you believe in purgatory when the Bible teachess us that God has appointed us once to die...?
Do you use the same Bible as the christians?
Are there more than one denominations in Catholisism?

Serious answers please...

Answer 1

I agree with you, also, why do they blaspheme

What is blasphemy? The bible attributes 2 definitions:
1.John 10:33 “…but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” – Claim to be God or His representative.
2.Mark 2:7 “Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” – Granting absolution (the power to forgive sin)
Now, let’s look at some factual historical quotes:
“We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty” – Pope Leo XIII, in an Encyclical letter, dated June 20, 1894.
“It seems that Pope John Paul II now presides over the universal Church from his place upon Christ’s cross.” – Auckland, New Zealand, Sept 20, 2004, Zenit.org.
“The judicial authority will even include the power to forgive sin.” The catholic encyclopedia Vol.12, Article “Pope”, p265.

Is it clear from the above quotes that Catholics are blaspheming against God? No wonder the beast of Revelations has the “name of blasphemy” and speaks “blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name”; this is because the beast claims powers that are the sole prerogative of God.

Answer 2

>>>Catholics, why do you pray to or threw the saints or mary?>>>

We don't. We ask Mary and the saints to pray for us -- just as you ask people here on earth to pray for you, and just as they ask you to pray for them.

>>>The bible then teachess us that there are only one mediator, and thats Jesus. >>>

True, but that doesn't mean that it's wrong to ask other people to pray for you -- whether they are here on earth or, in the case of Mary and the saints, in heaven.


>>>Why do you have to pay money for the sins that you have commited when the Bible teachess ud that Jesus has already paid for our sins?>>>

You're entitled to your own opinions -- but not your own facts.

We Catholics NEVER do anything of the sort. We NEVER pay money for our sins to be forgiven, or for the administration of any other sacrament.

Such acts are strictly against canon law, and a priest who "charges" for the administration of the sacraments can be defrocked.

>>>Why do you believe in purgatory when the Bible teachess us that God has appointed us once to die...?>>>

How does death automatically eliminate the possibility of the existence of purgatory?

The Bible is clear that purgatory exists. It doesn't use that name for it, of course -- but the Bible doesn't use the words "trinity" or "incarnation" either, yet all Christians believe in them.

The Bible says that it is a wholly wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they be loosed from their sins (2 Maccabees). This cannot refer to prayers for those in heaven -- they don't need our prayers. Nor does it apply to those in hell -- no amount of praying can help them.

It can only refer to a third place. That place is purgatory.

Also see 1 Peter, which refers to Jesus "preaching to the spirits in prison" after His death and prior to His Resurrection. Again, such preaching is not necessary for those in heaven, and it cannot help those in hell. This "prison" must refer to a third place -- and it's either purgatory, or a place very much like purgatory.

Then there's what Jesus said in Luke about staying in prison until we pay the last penny. It is a metaphor for purgatory.

>>>Do you use the same Bible as the christians?>>>

More or less, although Protestants (1,600 years after the fact) removed several books from the Bible, including the aforementioned 2 Maccabees -- probably because of its direct reference to purgatory.

>>>Are there more than one denominations in Catholisism?>>>

There are different rites within Catholicism, the largest of which is the Latin Rite. Different rites celebrate Mass in different ways, and some even have married priests. But all are in communion with the Vatican.

.

Answer 3

I went to Catholic school but I'm not Catholic. They use the same bible but they usually interpret the bible different way. Those are not the only ones I had problems with. I also had problems on how they pray (they memorize their prayers and most of the time, they don't even know what their prayer means!!!).
I guess, it is like, if you worship Elvis Presley, would you adore/worship his mother as well? As for the saints, it is like their Catholic heroes. That's all they should be -- heroes. And nothing more. But they pray to the Farmer's Saints if you're a farmer, or Bad Driver Saint, etc... Isn't that what they do in other religions? Like Ra the sun god (in one religion), and Thor the god of Thunder (in another)... That's not Christianity...
Then purgatory... that's their escape. They sinned and want to escape hell so they made up purgatory for their "last-minute" plea for forgiveness.
And yes, there are many different Catholics (I grew up in Philippines and most were Roman Catholics), and there is Russian Orthodox -- they're even scary!!! just to name 2...
Hope that helped???
: )

Answer 4

we use the same bible for one.i havent heard of many denominations of catholics........
never heard of paying money to have sins forgiven
we pray for mary to intercede for us.......any more questions mail me

Answer 5

I know the Anglicans are Catholics...

Obviously the church of Rome is Catholic...

The Greek and Russian Orthodox churches are Catholic...

So that's a start.

Answer 6

CHristians say jesus paid with his blood so that people won't have to. Now days they just make them pay with money instead.

Answer 7

Catholics do not pray to Mary and the Saints as mediators. They are prayed to as intercessors. The practice of intercessory prayer is indeed Biblical. Fact is, if you've ever said, "I'll pray for you,", you've engaged in intercessory prayer. And I doubt very much you consider thata violation of the First Commandment. Catholics offering intercessory prayer is the same thing.

God Desires and Responds to Our Subordinate Mediation / Intercessory Prayer
1 Tim 2:1-2 - because Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5), many Protestants deny the Catholic belief that the saints on earth and in heaven can mediate on our behalf. But before Paul's teaching about Jesus as the "one mediator," Paul urges supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. Paul is thus appealing for mediation from others besides Christ, the one mediator. Why?

1 Tim 2:3 - because this subordinate mediation is good and acceptable to God our Savior. Because God is our Father and we are His children, God invites us to participate in Christ's role as mediator.

1 Tim. 2:5 - therefore, although Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and man, there are many intercessors (subordinate mediators).

1 Cor. 3:9 - God invites us to participate in Christ's work because we are God's "fellow workers" and one family in the body of Christ. God wants His children to participate. The phrase used to describe "fellow workers" is "sunergoi," which literally means synergists, or cooperators with God in salvific matters. Does God need fellow workers? Of course not, but this shows how much He, as Father, loves His children. God wants us to work with Him.

Mark 16:20 - this is another example of how the Lord "worked with them" ("sunergountos"). God cooperates with us. Out of His eternal love, He invites our participation.

Rom. 8:28 - God "works for good with" (the Greek is "sunergei eis agathon") those who love Him. We work as subordinate mediators.

2 Cor. 6:1 - "working together" (the Greek is "sunergountes") with him, don't accept His grace in vain. God allows us to participate in His work, not because He needs our help, but because He loves us and wants to exalt us in His Son. It is like the father who lets his child join him in carrying the groceries in the house. The father does not need help, but he invites the child to assist to raise up the child in dignity and love.

Heb. 12:1 - the “cloud of witnesses” (nephos marturon) that we are surrounded by is a great amphitheatre of witnesses to the earthly race, and they actively participate and cheer us (the runners) on, in our race to salvation.

1 Peter 2:5 - we are a holy priesthood, instructed to offer spiritual sacrifices to God. We are therefore subordinate priests to the Head Priest, but we are still priests who participate in Christ's work of redemption.

Rev. 1:6, 5:10 - Jesus made us a kingdom of priests for God. Priests intercede through Christ on behalf of God's people.

James 5:16; Proverbs 15:8, 29 - the prayers of the righteous (the saints) have powerful effects. This is why we ask for their prayers. How much more powerful are the saints’ prayers in heaven, in whom righteousness has been perfected.

1 Tim 2:5-6 - therefore, it is because Jesus Christ is the one mediator before God that we can be subordinate mediators. Jesus is the reason. The Catholic position thus gives Jesus the most glory. He does it all but loves us so much He desires our participation.

Specific Instructions to Mediate and Examples of Subordinate Mediation
New Testament
Matt. 5:44-45 - Jesus tells us to pray for (to mediate on behalf of) those who persecute us. God instructs us to mediate.

Matt. 17:1-3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30-31 – deceased Moses and Elijah appear at the Transfiguration to converse with Jesus in the presence of Peter, James and John (these may be the two “witnesses” John refers to in Rev. 11:3). Nothing in Scripture ever suggests that God abhors or cuts off communication between the living in heaven and the living on earth. To the contrary, God encourages communication within the communion of saints. Moses and Elijah’s appearance on earth also teach us that the saints in heaven have capabilities that far surpass our limitations on earth.

Matt. 26:53 – Jesus says He can call upon the assistance of twelve legions of angels. If Jesus said He could ask for the assistance of angel saints – and He obviously would not have been worshiping them in so doing – then so can we, who need their help infinitely more than Jesus, and without engaging in idolatry. And, in Matt. 22:30, Jesus says we will be “like angels in heaven.” This means human saints (like the angel saints) can be called upon to assist people on earth. God allows and encourages this interaction between his family members.

Matt. 27:47,49; Mark 15:35-36 – the people believe that Jesus calls on Elijah for his intercession, and waits to see if Elijah would come to save Jesus on the cross.

Matt. 27:52-53 - at Jesus' passion, many saints were raised and went into the city to appear and presumably interact with the people, just as Jesus did after His resurrection.

Mark 11:24 - Jesus says that whatever we ask in prayer, we will receive it. It is Jesus, and also we through Jesus, who mediate.

John 2:3 - Jesus knew the wine was gone, but invites and responds to Mary's intercession. God desires our lesser mediation and responds to it because He is a living and loving God.

John 2:5 - Mary intercedes on behalf of those at the wedding feast and tells them to do whatever Jesus tells them. Because Mary is our perfect model of faith, we too intercede on behalf of our brothers and sisters.

John 2:11 - in fact, it was Mary's intercession that started Jesus' ministry. His hour had not yet come, yet Jesus responds to Mary's intercession. Even though He could do it all by Himself, God wants to work with His children.

Acts 12:7 – an angel strikes Peter on the side and wakes him up, freeing him from prison. The angel responds to Peter’s prayers.

Rom. 15:30 - Paul commands the family of God to pray for him. If we are united together in the one body of Christ, we can help each other.

2 Cor. 1:11 - Paul even suggests that the more prayers and the more people who pray, the merrier! Prayer is even more effective when united with other's prayers.

2 Cor. 9:14 - Paul says that the earthly saints pray for the Corinthians. They are subordinate mediators in Christ.

2 Cor. 13:7,9 - Paul says the elders pray that the Corinthians may do right and improve. They participate in Christ's mediation.

Gal. 6:2,10 - Paul charges us to bear one another's burdens, and to do good to all, especially those in the household of faith.

Eph. 6:18 - Paul commands the family of God to pray for each other.

Eph. 6:19 - Paul commands that the Ephesians pray for him. If there is only one mediator, why would Paul ask for their prayers?

Phil. 1:19 - Paul acknowledges power of Philippians' earthly intercession. He will be delivered by their prayers and the Holy Spirit.

Col. 1:3 - Paul says that he and the elders pray for the Colossians. They are subordinate mediators in the body of Christ.

Col. 1:9 - Paul says that he and the elders have not ceased to pray for the Colossians, and that, by interceding, they may gain wisdom.

Col. 4:4 - Paul commands the Colossians to pray for the elders of the Church so that God may open a door for the word. Why doesn't Paul just leave it up to God? Because subordinate mediation is acceptable and pleasing to God, and brings about change in the world. This is as mysterious as the Incarnation, but it is true.

1 Thess. 5:11 - Paul charges us to encourage one another and build one another up, in the body of Christ. We do this as mediators in Christ.

1 Thess. 5:17 - Paul says "pray constantly." If Jesus' role as mediator does not apply subordinately to us, why pray at all?

1 Thess. 5:25 - Paul commands the family of God to pray for the elders of the Church. He desires our subordinate mediation.

2 Thess. 1:11 - Paul tells the family of God that he prays for us. We participate in Christ's mediation because Christ desires this.

2 Thess. 3:1 - Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray for Him, Silvanus and Timothy so that they may be delivered.

1 Tim. 2:1-3 - Paul commands us to pray for all. Paul also states that these prayers are acceptable in the sight of God.

2 Tim. 1:3 – Paul says “I remember you constantly in my prayers.”

Philemon 22 - Paul is hoping through Philemon's intercession that he may be able to be with Philemon.

Heb. 1:14 – the author writes, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?”

Hebrews 13:18-19 - the author strongly urges the Hebrews to pray for the elders so that they act desirably in all things.

James 5:14-15- James says the prayer of the priests over the sick man will save the sick man and forgive his sins. This is a powerful example of men forgiving sins and bringing a person to salvation with the sacrament of the sick.

James 5:16 - James instructs us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another so that we may be healed.

James 5:17-18 - James refers to God's response to Elijah's fervent prayer for no rain. He is teaching us about the effectiveness of our earthly mediation.

1 John 5:14-15 - John is confident that God will grant us anything we ask of God according to His will.

1 John 5:16-17 - our prayers for others even calls God to give life to them and keep them from sinning. Our God is a personal and living God who responds to our prayers.

3 John 2 - John prays for Gaius' health and thus acts as a subordinate mediator.

Rev. 1:4 – this verse shows that angels (here, the seven spirits) give grace and peace. Because grace and peace only come from God, the angels are acting as mediators for God.

Rev. 5:8 - the prayers of the saints (on heaven and earth) are presented to God by the angels and saints in heaven. This shows that the saints intercede on our behalf before God, and it also demonstrates that our prayers on earth are united with their prayers in heaven. (The “24 elders” are said to refer to the people of God – perhaps the 12 tribes and 12 apostles - and the “four living creatures” are said to refer to the angels.)

Rev. 6:9-11 – the martyred saints in heaven cry out in a loud voice to God to avenge their blood “on those who dwell upon the earth.” These are “imprecatory prayers,” which are pleas for God’s judgment (see similar prayers in Psalm 35:1; 59:1-17; 139:19; Jer. 11:20; 15:15; 18:19; Zech.1:12-13). This means that the saints in heaven are praying for those on earth, and God answers their prayers (Rev. 8:1-5). We, therefore, ask for their intercession and protection.

Rev. 8:3-4 – in heaven an angel mingles incense with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne of God, and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. These prayers “rise up” before God and elicit various kinds of earthly activity. God responds to his children’s requests, whether made by his children on earth or in heaven.

Old Testament

Gen. 20:17 - God responds to Abraham's intercession and heals Abimelech, and also his wife and slaves.

Gen. 27:29; Num. 24:9 - blessed be everyone who blesses you. If we bless others in prayer, we are also blessed.

Exodus 32:11-14, 30-34; 34:9; Num. 14:17-20; 21:7-9 - these are many examples of God's response to Moses' saintly intercession.

1 Sam. 12:23 - Samuel says that he would be sinning against God if he didn't continue to intercede for the people of Israel.

1 Sam. 28:7-20 – the deceased prophet Samuel appears and converses with Saul, which is confirmed by Sirach 46:13,20).

1 Sam. 28:7; 1 Chron. 10:13-14 - Saul practiced necromancy. He used a medium, not God, to seek the dead and was therefore condemned. Saul's practice is entirely at odds with the Catholic understanding of saintly mediation, where God is the source and channel of all communication, and who permits His children to participate in this power.

2 Chron. 30:27 - the prayers of the priests and Levites came before God's holy habitation in heaven and were answered.

Tobit 12:12,15 - angels place Tobit and Sarah's prayers before the Holy One. This teaches us that the angels are also our subordinate mediators. We pray to the angels to take up our prayers to God.

Job 42:7-9 - Job prayed for three friends in sin and God listened to Job as a result of these prayers.

Psalm 34:7 – the angel of the Lord delivers those who fear him.

Psalm 91:11 – God will give His angels charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.

Psalm 103:20-21; 148:1-2 – we praise the angels and ask for their assistance in doing God’s will.

Psalm 141:2 - David asks that his prayer be counted as incense before God. The prayers of the saints have powerful effects.

Isaiah 6:6-7 - an angel touches Isaiah's lips and declares that his sin is forgiven. The angel is a subordinate mediator of God who effects the forgiveness of sins on God’s behalf.

Jer. 7:16 - God acknowledges the people's ability to intercede, but refuses to answer due to the hardness of heart.

Jer. 15:1 – the Lord acknowledges the intercessory power of Moses and Samuel.

Jer. 37:3 - king Zedekiah sends messengers to ask Jeremiah to intercede for the people, that he might pray to God for them.

Jer. 42:1-6 - all the people of Israel went before Jeremiah asking for his intercession, that he would pray to the Lord for them.

Baruch 3:4 - Baruch asks the Lord to hear the prayers of the dead of Israel. They can intercede on behalf of the people of God.

Dan. 9:20-23 - Daniel intercedes on behalf of the people of Israel confessing both his sins and the sins of the people before God.

Zech. 1:12-13 - an angel intercedes for those in Judea and God responds favorably.

2 Macc. 15:12-16 – the high priest Onias and the prophet Jeremiah were deceased for centuries, and yet interact with the living Judas Maccabeas and pray for the holy people on earth.