Do they have a closer relationship with God than the rest of us?
2007-10-14 13:27:03 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Religion starts out for young children as a form of brainwashing by parents. As adults these same people who accept "a religion" as a fact or truth, without some critical thinking, are mentally ill. Why do the same adults reject fairy tales and assorted myths, accept another sort of mythology dressed up as a religion?
2007-10-14 13:37:13 · answer #1 · answered by mike r 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, their relationship is not closer necessarily, they are, however, held on a higher level of accountability than a non Priest or Pastor as they are entrusted to teach and lead in the teachings of God, they make a promise to God to do this as opposed to say being a Nurse.. If they cause a whole congregation to stray, they will be accountable for it as well as those who are astray. Having said that, anyone who teaches about God holds that same responsibility, it is just that a Priest or Pastor naturally access many more people due to their profession.
Messengers of God are more likely Angels who come with a specific message to a specific person or group of people. Yes, they can take the form of a human. All Christians, just as the Priests and Pastors, are to go out and tell the world of the Gospel.
2007-10-14 13:41:05 · answer #2 · answered by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Aside from the shocking amount of ignorance in this thread that believes Catholicism edifies the idea that priests are 'God's Messengers,' there is little here that surprises me.
No, they are and they don't. They simply work to spread his word in a way that the average Christian doesn't: They preach to a church. Yes, the accept confessions but that is mostly for a deeper understanding sins must have in relation to the Lord. My philosophy? If you can't tell another human being your sins - how can you tell God?
Besides...He already knows.
2007-10-14 13:34:43 · answer #3 · answered by sur4dude03 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No. Catholics do not believe priests are closer to God. They've just been called by God to become priests and dedicate their lives to God.
We are all called by God. The Bible says, "Before you were born, I knew you. Within your mother's womb, I called you." Some are called to be priests. Others, monks. Others are called to a vocation of marriage.
One monk, Thomas Merton, wrote a beautiful little book called "Life and Holiness." In this book he wrote that, perhaps, marriage was the more challenging vocation than that of the priest or the monk. All three are callings, and they're not easy ones.
2007-10-14 13:38:04 · answer #4 · answered by Freedom 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ans: Priests quotes Bible like books, advises about how a person and his/her life should be and claims to introduce God. Its up to you to believe or not to believe. By the way, any one from the rest of us might have more knowledge about God than Priests. Have confidence in yourself that you are also the God's creation. Listen to any one but not to follow blindly. I say, believe only 'the experience within you'. Best of luck.
From: 'Prafull Paramaatmaa Daas',
'Vishw Paramaatmaa Parivaar'.
2007-10-14 14:27:19 · answer #5 · answered by vishw_paramaatmaa_parivaar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the priest has the spirit of God living within him, then he could be considered a messenger, like the rest of the Christians.
2007-10-14 13:55:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whose priests?
We all share in the baptismal Believers' priesthood by living out our royal priesthood and prophetic call and gifts.
Jesus chose particular men to be his Apostles and their successors are the priests of apostolic succession and faithful teaching
The use of priest for a Christian in Holy Orders comes from the Greek word for elder and came into English and many modern European languages through the Latin Presbyter which became prester in Middle English and priest in modern English . Holy Orders include deacon ,presbyter and bishop, which latter is the fullness of the ministerial priesthood.
I believe that Catholic priests who are faithful to the grace of their Ordination and proclaim God's Word by word and example are truly messangers of God
Anyone can have a uniquely close relationship with God through Christ in the Holy Spirit.
1 Timothy 5:17" Let the presbyters(priests) who rule well be considered worthy of double honor,especially those who labor in preaching and teaching."
Titus1:"appoint presbyters in every town"
James 5;14""call for the presbyters of the church"
Priests have a greater duty before God than those not ordained but they are not necessarily closer to God than the non ordained for every Christian has the potential of becoming a great saint by cooperating with grace.
2007-10-14 13:51:19 · answer #7 · answered by James O 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honey: Priests/Pastors are supposed to have closer relationships with God than the rest of us because their job is to lead the church according to God's will, but that is not always the case. Their level of responsibility is also much higher than the rest of the congregants. Now, if you are referring to their level of access to Godly things, the answer is no. All of God's children (those who live according to God's will) have the same level of access. By the way, all those who serve God are messengers of God in one way or another.
Cheers!
Mr. M. on "messengers."
2007-10-14 13:35:57 · answer #8 · answered by Humberto M 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As a devout Catholic, yes and no. They perform many acts as alter Christi (in the persona of Christ). We know them as Sacraments.
They are part of an apostolic succession charged with spreading His word.
But, we are all called to spread the Gospel.
Any individual priest may or may not have a closer relationship with God than I do.
2007-10-14 15:12:16 · answer #9 · answered by SigGirl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The apostle Peter speaks of the priesthood of all believers. 1 Peter 2:9.
The catholic priesthood is a continuation of the old covenant priesthood from the Old Testament and therefore not of God.
After the death of Christ the priesthood shifted from the earthly sanctuary to the sanctuary above where Jesus acts as our High Priest. Hebrews 8.
2007-10-14 13:37:06 · answer #10 · answered by sky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the o.t. priests mediated between the people and God. In the N.T. the wall of separation was taken down, and Christians are able to come directly to the Father in prayer. There is no need of a priesthood; indeed the Christian collective are called a holy priesthood.
Any "church" that has priests is using that office as a means of control over people, claiming to be the filter between man and God, for a price.
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2007-10-14 13:34:25 · answer #11 · answered by Hogie 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋