in the West. They have a black Jesus, a white Jesus, a brown Jesus. They all look different as well. Some statues are worshipped(or revered) as an adult Jesus, some as a child Jesus. It's all very confusing wouldn't you say?
2006-12-30 17:07:43 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus was fully human and fully God at every moment of His time on Earth.
Just like the Magi and the shepherds, we can worship and pray to Jesus as a newborn baby, or in the womb, or as a child, or as a teenager, or as an adult.
How many teenagers going though a troubled adolescence realize that Jesus went through puberty too?
No one really knows what Jesus looked like. But Genesis tells us that all humans are made in God's image. Therefore a statue of Jesus, as Jewish, Black, Hispanic, Asian or American Indian would really be a true likeness.
Let us learn from and enjoy the wonderful variety of human culture and wisdom that God has created for our illumination.
With love in Christ.
2006-12-31 13:59:17 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its called the pageantry of Catholicism. I wouldn't think that different aspects of Jesus would be confusing. It would make sense to think of him in all his forms. If you believed in him. Also could be called idolatry or as in Russian Orthodox/split icon worship really taken to the extreme. I think it is really neat to make an art out of religion and then worship it. Look at all the statues the Hindus have. And no I am in no way putting Catholics down. I think its a great form of worship whether the religious forms of expression are manifested in Mexico, Spain, New Orleans or the freakin Philippines.
2006-12-31 01:16:15 · answer #2 · answered by Pen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. Historically every culture has depicted Jesus as their own race. We know He really looked like an average Israeli of today; but I guess it makes it easier to relate to Him as "one of us", which of course He was. But various cultures take this principle a step further.
Of course we worship Jesus as the newborn child at Christmas time. The rest of the year we worship Him as the adult Savior of the World. Both are accurate depictions of Him. And at no time of any year does anyone worship a statue. That would not only constitute a sin of idolatry under the teaching of the Catholic Church, but would also be about as stupid an act as anyone could perform.
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2006-12-31 01:20:37 · answer #3 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A statue is like a picture. it is not the real person but a memory and thought that brings to our minds. For ex: Jesus hanging on the cross reminds us to think of Jesus who gave up all to die for our sins. Jesus surrounded by children brings the thought of " unless you become like a child you will not enter the Kingdom of God" and so on........ Catholics do not worship statues in as much as a person can say that a picture if there own offspring.... Pictures, words, images, statues give us something to keep our mind focused on something.
2006-12-31 01:24:54 · answer #4 · answered by mmcada 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
>>>Some statues are worshipped(or revered) as an adult Jesus,>>
The statues are not being worshipped. We Catholics only worship God.
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2006-12-31 01:40:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm, equally opportunity Jesus-lovers...sounds interesting! Anyway, it's not about idolizing any statues. They're just icons, kind of like how we like to look at a loved one's picture to remember them or when we think about them. Having a visual sometimes helps others to focus when they pray, that's all. Can't judge!
2006-12-31 01:11:42 · answer #6 · answered by kakolikapiha 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say that it probably has something to do with the literacy rate in the Phillipines. Perhaps because fewer people can read and write, they need a physical symbol of Jesus.
2006-12-31 01:12:56 · answer #7 · answered by Heather 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, there are different variations on religion. What they are doing isn't wrong, it is their beliefs, and there is no right or wrong in religion. Leave the people be =] But I do agree with you, it does seem quite confusing. I suggest doing some research and asking some natives about it, email me back with what you find! I'm interested!
2006-12-31 01:11:10 · answer #8 · answered by persian_fereshteh924 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just stick to what you believe.Respect they're religion but stick to yours.We are all trying to do the same thing,and that's get closer to our God.I'm a Baptist.
2006-12-31 01:09:45 · answer #9 · answered by dccuttie75 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hehe--you don't know 1/10 of it--you only see the surface of what those statues really mean
2006-12-31 01:17:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋