why do catolics worship mary, whilst still recognising jesus as god, but christians don't worship mary at all, i apoligise for my stupidity im just confused.
2007-01-19 06:46:46 · 37 answers · asked by thebluehaze 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Catholics ARE Christians, by the way; Roman Catholics, Greek and Russian Orthodox Catholics, and Protestants (whom you refer to as Christians) are ALL Christians because they universally believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah and worship the same God. Roman Catholics honor Mary as the Mother of Jesus and recognize her as the Virgin who was chosen by God to give birth to the Messiah for her purity and goodness. Catholics pray the Rosary to Mary and also pray to various Saints who are believed to be holy intermediaries with Jesus and God.
2007-01-19 07:00:00 · answer #1 · answered by Lynci 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Catholics don't worship Mary, they honour her as the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. They honour her because God honoured her, She was specially chosen by God and Catholics think that she was specially blessed and has a special position because God chose her.
We know from scripture that Jesus will do anything his mother asks (as in the case of Jesus turning water into wine, even though it was not yet time for Him to work a miracle). So Catholics believe that Mary can act as an intermediary, for prayer requests, because whatever she asks of God, He will grant. Catholics pray the 'Hail Mary', the first part of which is entirely scriptural i.e. it consists of the words of the Archangel Gabriel at the announciation and the words of her cousin Elizabeth when she recognised that Mary was pregnant with the Messiah.
2007-01-19 07:14:30 · answer #2 · answered by A.M.D.G 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is such a pity that you are not alone in never having studied theology, or taught by the Jesuits. Th Church teaches that there are 3 forms of worship, namely dulia, hyperdulia and latria.
It is wrong to "worship" Mary the Mother of the Son of God as though she is the Creator, Redeemer or Holy Spirit. Mary is woshipped only in the sense of Mediatrix of all grace. Learn about St. Bernadette, and St.Maximiliian Kolbe and many others.
Mary holds a position so eminent that women are to be honoured in this life, because they bring forth children and nurture them so that they may be "full of grace".
Certianly no easy task, but prayer and good works help us all to attain spiritual grace, which is the passport to heaven.
Finally we do not worship statues or holy pictures as one person I met thought Catholics do. They are simply reminders similar to family photographs. Understanding Roman Catholicism requires a true understanding of the New Testament, especially apostolic succession and why the Bishop of Rome is the Head of the Church. THis can not be learnt in a matter of minutes, just as French/Latin can not be grasped without study and reflection... but with the right teacher. When soever you pick up a novel to read,first find out as much as you can about the character of the author.
Christianity is based on historical facts, faith , and tradition.
Was Henry V111 saintly and was Mohammad truly a compassionate person ? Learn how they lived and know whom you admire as saints on earth and now in heaven.
God bless You.
2007-01-19 07:38:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mary is not deity, but Christ is. The prophets spoke of the Messiah coming, not the woman that would have the messiah as her son. Sure the prophecy of the messiah being born of a virgin is there, but there is no indication that we should hold her any higher than any other person. Mary was a highly enough favored woman that God chose as a tool to birth the Messiah that would ultmately give his earthly life for ours on the cross. Mary should not be worshiped anymore that I should be worshiped, which is not at all.
Matt
2007-01-19 06:52:55 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Romans 15:25
25Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there.
Acts 26:10
10Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
1Corinthians 1:2
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:
The Bible calls believers saints. These are just a few of the verses. There are so many more. It is not by our own righteousness, but by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. If there are any Catholics that deify Mary, and there are at least some, they shouldn't. She was no better than anyone else. she recieved God's grace just like Abraham recieved God's grace.
2007-01-19 07:08:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Catholics do NOT worship Mary and Catholics are Christians. Worshipping anyone but Our Lord Jesus Christ would be against the ten commandments. In a modern sense Catholics use Mary as a go between, between themselves and Our Lord Jesus, an intervention. Catholics ask Mary to intercede between them and our Lord. The difference is immense. Catholics only worship God. They use other holy people, such as Saints and Mary to intercede on their behalf, because the catholics know that they are not as worthy to ask God for his help as a holy so they ask Mary.
2007-01-19 07:05:25 · answer #6 · answered by Jez G 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are not stupid, I was raised catholic and I also have a lot of questions.Contrary to what some people already have told you, many catholics do very much worship Mary, there are shrines for the blessed mother in people's front yard all over , also the Mexican community is very bold in wearing the rosary beads and T shirts with her image. Why there is this difference? I don't know, I believe that some people\ religions think it is a sin to worship anyone but God.Personally speaking I don't think God gets jealous.Take care, be good to yourself and others.
2007-01-19 07:08:00 · answer #7 · answered by frogenstien 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Catholics dont admit to worshipping Mary! I don't know what excuse they give but standing in front of a statue and praying to her sure sounds like worship to me!
I thought Jesus said that the way to God was through him not his mother.
Mind you I think all Christians, Muslims and Jews are too busy fighting each other about what is right or wrong that they forget they are worshipping the same God!!!
Christians even fight amongst themselves about how it should be done.
I'll stay away from it all and stick to my own beliefs while they do!
2007-01-19 06:59:11 · answer #8 · answered by willowGSD 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
In no way, shape for from do Catholics worship Mary. We pray to Mary because she has a closer relationship to God and God helps us. And Catholics ARE Christians! You not stupid many people get this confused as well.
2007-01-19 09:12:59 · answer #9 · answered by dogtreats100 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Catholics do not worship the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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 living here on earth to pray for you. Or, you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother living in heaven to pray for you.
Prayer to saints in heaven is simple communication, not worship.
With love in Christ.
2007-01-19 15:47:40 · answer #10 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋