should we pray or bow down to statues???

Question

i dont think you should i think thats bad my family is catholic and always pray to the virgin mary and all these other saints never to god... i ask why and they say they are gods messengers and that its the same thing... i dont think so some how i think these things are from the devil and trying to take the attention away from god with the excuse that they are messengers and should you pray to the virgin mary??? and when going in to church should you neal to statues??? the statues aren't god ..... but my mom says they represent god i dont think so she gets mad when she makes me go to church and i dont do it... they are just painted stones right??? and that white thing with the wine they make you eat in church saying its gods spirit ??? im confused

Answer 1

If you are Catholic or your family, I'm the Pope!

They pray nor bow to neither. You should know that as a so called Catholic. They are representation of who they stand for. or didn't you know that either!
oops you did! don't you trust you mother or believe her! too bad.

Noone makes you eat anything, nor should you feel be forced to go to Church. If you prefer not, to go, then don't.

Answer 2

From what I know of Catholicism, those statues are supposed to be inspirational. No one in the parish looks at a representation of the Virgin Mary and says, "There. That statue *IS* God." And its a little silly to say that Catholics "never" pray to God, considering that the Rosary includes the "Our Father", which I believe was Jesus's instructions on how to pray to God.

Faith is a very personal thing. I don't believe you should look down on the way anyone else practices. However, I don't think that you're actually Catholic because becoming a member of that organization involves extensive education about the religion, and you should already know their stance on everything and you woudln't need to be asking all of us.

Answer 3

I have no idea from a Christian perspective. I have noticed that some people have misconceptions about the Buddhist practice of bowing to a statue of the Buddha.

This is not actually any form of worship at all. it is more similar to having a photo of a family member who has passed on and acting differently in front of the photo.

Basically the Buddha statue holds more of a sentimental value than any religious significance.

Answer 4

Many religions specifically forbid bowing down before statues. One of the reasons Martin Luther split from the Catholic faith was the reverence shown towards images.

It seems to me that bowing before a piece of plaster is a waste of time. HOWEVER:

Bowing before a statue is rarely just bowing before a piece of plaster. There are reasons for bowing that you may not have considered.

First, taking a moment to truly BE WHERE YOU ARE can be very hard for many people. Noises, duties, preoccupations and the like get in the way. The real purpose for pausing at most times during religious ceremonies is actually just to help people find that moment on a regular basis to more thoroughly experience their spirituality.

As for saints, it's extremely hard for some people to visualize all the facets of their god. For this reason, many faiths have a variety of faces for the divine: mothers, children, even the equivalent of benevolent aunts and uncles. If a person prefers to directly interact privately with the divine, that's a perfectly reasonable expression of faith. However, making it easier for those who have difficulties to express their faith isn't any devil's work; it's simply compassionate.

While you are in your mother's care, go to church. It isn't the church of my faith, either, but that's irrelevant. What she truly wants is for you to build a foundation of belief which will help you for the rest of your life. Go to church, and use the time for your own spiritual betterment. Pray quietly and privately. Ask your priest questions, and contemplate the answers you receive.

Above all, don't put her faith down. Your own faith shouldn't require putting down another's. Besides, this is also a lesson in being in American. There's room for all of us here. Love the things she does right, and appreciate that her faith contributed to them.

Answer 5

I personally don't believe in bowing before statues. But, that doesn't mean we should put down or make fun of those that do. Respect your parents in their belief.

This is my belief: The scriptures say that we shouldn't bow down and/or worship idols (which includes statues). See the 10 Commandments. I agree with you about they being just stone. They are not God. God is in Heaven. I think as far as idols go, they can even go as far as worshipping anything other than the true God, like our car, ourselves, our image, clothing, video games, etc... What is most important to us?

Answer 6

People are certainly in denial when it comes to explaining veneration of statues and idols. Their use is forbidden in the bible.

The Israelites knew that the calf they were worshiping wasn't God, meanwhile, Moses was up on the mountain taking down commandments. Jehovah was so upset by their idolatry that he caused to die about three thousand people. Ex 32:28.

If you want to please God, you cannot be a part of a religion that practices doctrines in opposition to Jehovah. Jehovah is a very jealous God, and he makes that known in the scriptures. Is is good that you are questioning the righteousness of the practice.

Answer 7

I have statues. Not of mary or jesus, and I know they are representations.
I don't kneal. If i were to kneal to a statue, I'd have to kneel everywhere i go. I beleive statues to be completely symbolic - yet concrete. Symbolic of a form that can be assumed and humans can comprehend.

I was bapitsed Catholic, and i never understood the transfiguration (is that what its called?) of the host and wine.

Answer 8

No you should not bow down to a statue, that is what the Israelites got punished for. It is ok to kneel by your bed if you want to pray to GOD but if you cannot kneel for medical reasons you can pray while sitting in a chair.

Answer 9

Exodus 20: 3,4,5

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I , the Lord thy God, am a jealous God, etc.


The bread and wine at the Lord's communion table represents the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ: the body of Christ broken for us, the blood of Christ shed for our sins. By being a partaker at Communion, we therefore show the Lord's death on our behalf.

We are further commanded to search our own hearts and to take communion in a worthy manner. It should be an outward sign of our respect and understanding of His sacrifice and our acceptance of it, as well as our spiritual connection and devotion to Him, to be observed until that time when He comes back to the earth again.

Answer 10

Bowing right down to a Saint is unquestionably against God. that is bowing right down to an idol and God forbids it. Why could a man or woman who calls themselves Christian pass to a Saint for something whilst they could pass boldly in the past the throne of God and Jesus be their recommend. Christ tells us that "none are good, no no longer one." No saint is worth of this. After the pass of Calvary, we've direct touch with our Lord who's far extra suitable to any previous ineffective saint. we are advised to no longer summon the spirit of the ineffective. this custom is forbidden by employing God.