I was invited to a Catholic church recently and was amazed at the lack of worship I found.
Everyone chanted the same verse over and over in monotone voices over and over, there was nothing personal or uplifting about it. There were statues of these "saints" all over and the priest or whatever spent most of the time talking about Mary, mother of Jesus.
I cannot judge those people, but I will say that in my opinion they are treading on dangerous grounds. They do worship the Lord Jesus, the Christ spoken of in the Bible, but their worship of these saints and Mary made my heart hurt.
I left feeling unfilled and having not heard any of the "good news" spoken in the bible. It was a horrible experience for me and I have to admit I was scared the entire time for the people sitting around me praying to dead people instead of the God of Abraham.
Scary stuff.
2007-02-15 18:51:56 · 20 answers · asked by Anonguy 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I know that this isn't the response that you are probably looking for, but I am curious, which church would you recommend? Honestly, if you want to direct someone to what you feel is a scriptural church, where would you send them? Or are you in the same predicament as many of us, are you also searching for a church?
(I've never attended a Catholic mass, so I don't know anything to comment on about it specifically.)
2007-02-15 19:25:05 · answer #1 · answered by Rahab 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I find it hard to believe you were at a Catholic Mass...During the Mass, Mary is rarely mentioned in the actual "script' of a Mass, except in her capacity as Mother of the Savior. Also, saints are never prayed to in Mass- their names are only mentioned during the Eucharistic prayer asking that our prayers be joined to theirs, and on feast days we pray ( to GOD) that we may imitate their example.
Catholics do not worship saints...we only worship the Triune God. Oh- and 'talking to dead people?' Hmmmm Catholics believe that those in Heaven are more alive than we are. Sorry you don't have that in whatever you call 'church.'
There is no repettitve chanting. Chant, rarely used anymore, is quite beautiful and NEVER monotone.
You must not be very familiar with scripture- because nearly the ENTIRE Mass comes straight from the Bible!
Quit trying to cause problems by bashing things you don't even know about!
2007-02-16 07:57:24 · answer #2 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry you have misunderstood the Catholic faith.
You see, faith is not all about feelings. It is not about emotion. There is an objective Truth - Christ. So if you did not feel "uplifted" in Mass that does not mean it is worthless.
Second, we only worship God as Catholics. They do not worship saints and Mary, nor 'dead' people. We are Christians and believe that all those departed in God's friendship are in HEAVEN and therefore are LIVING not dead!!! We do not worship them, but rather ask them to pray for us. Mary's intercession to Jesus is very powerful, as well see in the Bible at the Wedding at Cana.
God bless!
2007-02-19 03:06:06 · answer #3 · answered by jordan55 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very sad that at many Catholic Churches there is a lack of worship. Mabey you should try it again at a totally different Church. Yes us Catholics Worship Jesus and God above all else but the saints are in heven with them. they are there. We ask them to pray for us and we try to be as good as them. We honor Mary because she was born without original sin because she was made to conive the Son of God. She was not a puppet though she CHOSE to be the mother of jesus. plz give it another try at another Church. I beg you.
2007-02-16 06:17:59 · answer #4 · answered by Lola 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I totally agree. I have never understood why anyone would want to worship God that way. It always seemed to me that Jesus got pushed way to the side and everybody under the sun was more exalted and glorified. It scared me too because it comes close to almost being a form of idolatry (or so it seemed to me). I have Catholic family members and friends and they are great people but I sure have a problem understanding their religion. Many of the beliefs simply aren't backed by Scripture. Anyway to each his own I guess.
2007-02-15 19:00:58 · answer #5 · answered by wd 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's the world's richest religion. A single diocese, Boston, was reportedly worth a half-billion dollars AFTER settling on a multimillion dollar pedophile priest claim.
Plus, the Vatican is dripping in gold!
2007-02-15 19:10:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you described does not sound like any Catholic Mass I have been to, and I have been going to Mass EVERY Sunday (except when sick) for 49 years.
When a person writes "I cannot judge those people", you can be assured that what will follow is judgement
2007-02-15 22:56:40 · answer #7 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Catholic and I love being a Catholic and have been for 53 years and to me the Mass is beautiful, in my Church we have no statues
God Bless You
2007-02-15 18:56:47 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
better than all the glitz and glammer of some of the protestant churches, people acting all spazzed out on Jesus but in reality living no different than anyone else. take a lesson from ted haggard.
2007-02-15 19:10:35 · answer #9 · answered by Annmaree 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's par for course of European churches -- Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, etc. They're all about "liturgy".
2007-02-15 18:55:54 · answer #10 · answered by WWTSD? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋