I asked the above question previously but then I was thinking after some opf your answers this: If Catholics say that they are just praying to the saints to help get the prayers to God faster then I ask you this... is there the posibility that becasue we have sinned this slows but not prhibits because of Jesus christ our ability to cumicate with him?
2006-11-26 10:02:44 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
We know the saints are with God and that He is well pleased with them so we pray to the saints and ask them to intercede for us.Its sort of like hiring an attorney to plead your case! Why dont you pray to St. Jude for understanding?He is a very kind and powerful saint.
2006-11-26 12:44:43 · answer #1 · answered by JEWELL S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If Bible states that idols are not to be worshiped... it is true with every religion.
In Hinduism idol worshiping is a house-to-house affair. But idol worshiping does not mean that the image of God or the Goddess is to be worshiped. Every image whether it be an idol, tree or a stone... the prayers are always addressed to Almighty God.
God Almighty does not reside in statues made of clay. Neither has it resided in trees and stones. Almighty God is present everywhere. Idols are only meant for providing a medium for praying. The medium can be anything. It can be an idol, tree, stone or even rivers for that matter. (In India most of the rivers are treated as goddesses for they provide the necessary ingredient water for maintenance of life).
Those who could not afford the luxury of a temple which was non existent in their village or town... people tended to offer their prayers in front of a sacred tree or even a stone. It is a very prevalent practice in India.
Praying in front of an idol, tree, stone or a river is just a ritual to concentrate our thoughts on the Almighty God. Saints and sages do not require a medium for their prayers but the masses do.
Praying to saints and sages to invoke the blessings and grace of God Almighty is also an established practice all over the world. Why? The reason being the words of God were initially invoked by these masters of Wisdom. And the masses who had no direct access to the house of God found it more appealing and natural to invoke the blessings of the enlightened masters instead.
In the last about 150 years two persons have gained enlightenment. They were Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Maharishi Ramana. These persons... the spiritual masters had already gained access to the kingdom of God. By invoking the blessings of these enlightened masters... anyone can gain entry to the kingdom of God.
We must always remember that blessings of only those spiritual masters must be invoked who have gained enlightenment. Lest we fall prey to wrong teachings and the path!
Why invoking the blessings of the enlightened spiritual masters before worshiping God is essential has been explicitly explained in the article on Navkar Mantra of Jainism. More on Navkar Mantra here- http://www.godrealized.org/navkar_mantra_in_jainism.html
2006-11-26 20:26:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The veil in the temple was torn in two at Jesus' death symbolizing that an intermediary was no longer necessary between man and God - Jesus is our only intermediary. Praying to the saints is giving up gifts to people that belong to God.
2006-11-26 10:20:10 · answer #3 · answered by padwinlearner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saints are to be praised and respected, however it sholudn't reach a point where they should be worshipped. Only God deserves to be worshipped. Heck! thats the reason why He created us! Jesus is the only way to God, no other saint is worthy, for no other died for our sins, but Jesus Christ.
2006-11-26 10:08:09 · answer #4 · answered by * Akosua* 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Biblically, all believers are saints.
Not sure how or why the Catholic Church decided to change the bible on this one.
Now a days, they confuse their way even further by stating that there are degrees of sainthood and they and only they can bestow the highest degree of sainthood on someone.
I believe they are taking the place of God and will have to answer to him one day for that little bit of self will.
2006-11-26 10:28:39 · answer #5 · answered by cindy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm more worried about graven images of JEsus on the cross.
2006-11-26 10:38:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
for some but, what many people do not remember is his Church, the Catholic Church is his bride and just like in the book of Esther she can appear in his throne room and request to her hearts content (Up to half of his Kingdom )
2006-11-26 10:09:20 · answer #7 · answered by Midge 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no scriptural justification for anyone praying to dead saints.
We honor their memory, we respect their teaching, we follow their example - but we do not worship them or pray to them.
2006-11-26 10:19:48 · answer #8 · answered by happy pilgrim 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋