2006-12-13 08:19:09 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am not a Christian but was raised a Christian.
2006-12-13 08:50:37 · update #1
Well, to be respectful, maybe not "shock", but I would say that it does confuse me, since Jesus did teach us that we are only to address our prayers; (or any communication with the divine) to the Father, and to no one else.
And no, the official Catholic stance, per their own official webpage at that yes, that they believe that Mary helps them, but that they give her, in addition to prayers, not simply reverance, but "Devotion". Which confuses me as well, since God repeated says through his word, and Paul states that "Eusebia" or devotion is given to God, not any saint, virgin, or anyone else.
"You must not bow down to them nor be induced to even serve them, because I Yahweh your God am a God exacting EXLUSIVE devotion" - Exodus 20:5
And Jesus reiterated this in the Christian arrangement, when teaching his disciples how to pray, the model, or "structure" of prayers. but not to repeat the same thing over and over again. So, to be honest, respectfully it really, really confuses me.
"And -- praying -- ye may not use vain repetitions like the nations, for they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard, . . thus therefore pray ye: 'Our Father who 'art' in the heavens! hallowed be Thy name." - Matthew 6:7,9
In his own prayers, he followed the same "formula" that he taught. He always prayed to "The Father", he always stressed the same things that the Model Prayer stressed, sometimes, even in the same order.
So I would respectfully state that it does confuse me, and would like a Catholic to perhaps better explain how there is a resolution between these scriptures that do not teach repetitive, devotional prayers, but instead teach us to pray to the Father, only through Jesus his son??
2006-12-13 08:23:00 · answer #1 · answered by raVar 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
First of all, we worship ONLY God and Jesus Christ. We do ask for intercessions by the Saints and Mary and the Angels, but we do not worship them. Let me see...A Catholic Mass has about 5 or 6 songs (at the most) sung. It takes up about 15 minutes of our Mass. One of those songs *might* be about Mary during a normal Mass. There are about 3 days out of the entire year that we give more attention to Mary than normally, but it is NEVER over God. That leaves 45 minutes left for the Mass: --We come in, we pray to God and for the forgiveness of our sins. --We listen to the readings (one Old Testament reading, one New Testament reading and a Gospel reading) --We sing Psalms (this is between the first and second reading and the second and Gospel reading) --A homily is given --We pray more, TO GOD. --We the go into the consecration --We kneel in prayer TO GOD. --We stand and recite the Lord's Prayer --We kneel in prayer once more --We receive the Eucharist --We pray some more --We say a closing prayer and close with another song about God's goodness and we leave. I've been Catholic for 11 years. The only time we "spend church time singing to Mary" is during Christmas and it's about Christ's birth and thus Mary is part of the song, the Assumption of Mary (usually only one or two songs) and the Immaculate Conception. That's it. We are Christians. A Christian is someone who follows Jesus Christ and believes He is Lord and Savior, which we do. You will not violate Christianity if you sing about Mary. You are confusing prayer and song with worship. To pray means "to ask" and nothing more. All worship is prayer, but not all prayer is worship. Singing songs is not worship either. If we're so horrible and obviously not Christian, then don't go to a Catholic Mass.
2016-05-23 20:17:56 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholics constantly pray to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Occasionaly we ask the Blessed Virgin Mary and other saints on earth and in heaven to pray for us.
Catholics share the belief in the Communion of Saints with many other Christians, including the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal, and Methodist Churches.
The Communion of Saints is the belief where all saints are intimately related in the Body of Christ, a family. When you die and go to heaven, you do not leave this family.
Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints, you, me, my deceased grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Mother Teresa.
As part of this family, you may ask your family and friends here on earth to pray for you. Or, you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother in heaven to pray for you.
Prayer to saints in heaven is simple communication, not worship.
With love in Christ.
2006-12-13 17:48:15 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As I understand it, the Catholics believe that they are not worthy to address God directly, so they ask Mary and the other "Saints" to pray for them. In my belief, that is directly contrary to the scriptures that clearly state that Jesus is the only intermediary between God and man. We pray to the Father in the name of Christ. Nobody else is necessary. That is what Jesus taught and that is what I believe and practice. My gratitude and my petitions go to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. The answers come from the comforter, the influence of the Holy Ghost. I feel calm, peaceful and comfortable when the answer is yes and I feel confused and disturbed when the answer is no.
It works.
2006-12-13 08:28:36 · answer #4 · answered by rac 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes, Catholics pray to Mary, but we don't consider her a Goddess or anything like that. We pray to Mary and other saints in addition to God, not instead of God.
When we pray to saints, we aren't actually worshipping them, but asking them to intercede to God for us. Actually, the Catholic tradition of praying to saints has become somewhat outdated now. I can't say for all Catholics, but I usually pray directly to God.
2006-12-13 08:23:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Catholics are taught to pray a prayer to Mary, called "the Hail Mary." Technically, it is impossible for Catholics to worship Mary.
"Worship" has been defined as applying only to God. The Rosary is an open and graphic worship of Mary plain and simple.
Scholars agree that the name "Christian" was given to the followers of Christ. What about followers of Mary? They are called Catholics and Orthodox.
Mr.K,
Show me in scripture about Mary can answer prayers or can interceed for us?, Show me in scripture about beads being use in prayers?, Show me in Holy Scripture that Mary will pray for us in heaven? Show me in scripture that Mary and Saints can hear and answers my prayers?
It's all garbage teachings of the false religion. Don't expect the your Pope to warn people of the potential deception when scripture is ignored.
2006-12-13 08:25:02 · answer #6 · answered by House Speaker 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
A saying that is well known among Catholics is, "To Jesus, through Mary." This does not mean, "To Mary, through Jesus." Nor does it mean, "To Jesus and to Mary." This saying affirms that Catholics do not pray "to" Mary as an equal to God. They pray "through" Mary as an intercessor who prays to God on behalf of mankind.
If Catholics were to pray to Mary, this would imply that they are worshipping her as a god. But Catholics do not perceive Mary as a god. They perceive her as the greatest of all the saints that ever lived
2006-12-13 08:24:52 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
I see alot of Catholics defending themselves saying "we just say HAIL Mary." But, just take a step outside of your catholic self for a moment and think about why is that you would you "Hail" Mary though. Cancel your subscription to the Di Vinci Code saga (even though it was a good movie) and read your bible for the facts instead of putting some Pope dude higher than Jesus' words. That's just my two cents.
2006-12-13 08:27:06 · answer #8 · answered by Light 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, it WOULD be shocking if Catholics pray to Mary rather than God or Jesus. Catholics pray to BOTH Mary and to God, but for very different things. We ask Mary to pray for us and with us as we pray to God or Jesus. We pray to God to save us and to send His Holy Spirit.
You can see the difference by looking at two very common prayers, teh Hail mary and the Our Father.
First, the hail Mary, which is prayed to Mary:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Now, look at the Our Father, which is prayed to God:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
[For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.] Amen.
As you can see, these are very different kinds of prayer.
2006-12-13 09:06:24 · answer #9 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No but they believe that if she asks Jesus for their petition to be answered that her influence is more valuable than theirs as she is his mother. It is like they do not realize He wants a personal with relationship with us and wants us to budget time for just being with Him. The one close Catholic friend I have prays directly to the Lord as well. It is more like they entreat Mary to join them in their prayers for added value.
2006-12-13 08:27:17 · answer #10 · answered by bess 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋