In 1 Corinthians Paul talks about eating food sacrificed to idols and making a brother sin. He basically says that it does not matter one way or the other but if eating it would be a stumbling block to a brother then he would not do it.
This lead to a question. Catholics have many statues of saints and do some things that look like idolatry, even though it is not. However as this could easily make a weaker brother fall and end up in idolatry does that make it wrong? Is it possible the Catholic church should remove the statues rather than possibly cause a weaker brother to sin?
This is meant as a serious question and not an attack. Just something that came to me from someone' answer and I was curious to see the replies.
2007-11-12 14:46:31 · 15 answers · asked by Bible warrior 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
st.aliaoftheknife - You must not have met some of the people I have met. I think some people would worship a potato.
2007-11-12 14:51:51 · update #1
Andrew M - I don't have a problem with Catholics. This is not an attack but more a food for thought question.
2007-11-12 14:55:04 · update #2
Tina T - Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
2007-11-12 15:08:53 · update #3
JUST BECAUSE IT SEEMS NOT TO BE CLEAR TO SOME. I AM NOT CALLING CATHOLICS IDOL WORSHIPERS. I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY ARE. I AM JUST ASKING A SIMPLE QUESTION. NOT MEANT TO INSULT OR MAKE ANYONE MAD.
2007-11-12 15:14:05 · update #4
tebone0315 - I tried to make it clear you do not make them idols. But a weaker brother could see it differently.
2007-11-12 15:46:46 · update #5
Fireball226 - So you just ignore the teachings of the Bible?
2007-11-12 15:55:48 · update #6
If it were causing weaker christians, who are at the begining of their walk with christ or not to the point where they embrace his strength and understand the finer points as much yet, sin then it would be bad. I am not sure as to whether this is the case or not, but clearly the Bible states, if you lead a weaker christian astray, by doing something that in no way is a sin but appears as a sin or confuses a young christian (young in christ not in age) then you should not do that thing any more.
So if in fact it does mess up the path for young christians, then it should be, by Bible standards, stopped.
I don't know if that is the case, like I said, and it is in no way a sin, like I said. There is also the idea that those who are offended by it, could choose a different type of christianity, say protestant or something where that is not going on, that would solve the problem but lessen the Catholic church.
I know alot of people who are catholic who don't notice or don't mind, but I'm sure there are some who do, as with everything.
Good question, I had actually never given that much thought, when lined up with the Catholic church, love the verse though,
Jessica - feel free to email
2007-11-13 00:09:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really don't understand in full the Cathoilc beliefs.But on this topic and the way you've described it I guess it could cause the weaker brother to fall.Plus there are many kinds of idolatry absolutely any thing can be idolized and placed in a position of God .And to answer the question will someone worship a statue in this day in time YES it does happen in our day and time.Best Wishes>>
2007-11-12 15:01:39 · answer #2 · answered by Man of Arms 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Biblical idolatry started even before the Bible was written. Those statues were of the Anachim leaders whom people wanted to appease by a sign of recognition; images. These were not God and thus should not be worshipped. Icons however may be a different story. In my opinion, Catholics can use theirs as some kind of mantra to help them concentrate. If God is everywhere, can't He be in statues too? If images can help one pray in a more focused manner, I think there's nothing wrong with that. Let us not be too judgemental about this. Let us concentrate on saving our own souls.
2007-11-12 15:01:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The worship and exaltation of Mary is idolatry. Most Catholics that I know worship Mary. This isn't an attack, it's a truth. Not all Catholics raise up Mary to this level but many do.
Jesus destroyed this concept when a woman declared "blessed is the woman's womb that bore you and blessed are her breasts, the breasts that nursed you."
Jesus replied, "No, blessed is the one who obeys God."
Mary and saint worship is idolatry.
For me and many Catholics this isn't a stumbling block its false teaching.
2007-11-12 16:56:36 · answer #4 · answered by PHIL B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I grew up as a Catholic and even an altar boy for a few years with one brother who was going through to be a priest. I knelt in front of the statues and prayed fulling hoping they would move or speak to me. No one ever explained that this was wrong or that I shouldn't be praying to the statue. So I was basically practising idolotry because no one ever bothered to explain to me that I shouldn't acutally be praying to the statue. So regardless of what people's official dogma may state if they are not teaching it you are open to being lead astray. Nowhere will you find in the new testament Jesus or the disciples instructing believers to pray in front of stautes.
2007-11-12 15:27:30 · answer #5 · answered by Edward J 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Growing up, my Mom often prayed to St. Jude. This is the only praying I ever saw my mom do. She had a statue of St. Jude as well. I truly believe that she thought praying to this saint would do her more good than praying to Jesus.
When I became pregnant at 18, my mom did not tell me to repent to Jesus and pray for His help, she told me to pray to St. Jude. looking back, I know better. Now, I feel my mom, in one way, lead a weaker to sin. Mind you, my mom was a good person, and I don't believe she meant any harm, but many times, it is that "good" person that causes us to sin.
God bless.
2007-11-12 15:12:03 · answer #6 · answered by lovinghelpertojoe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i understand this question and agree with it wholeheartedly. also, not as an attack, but these statues of 'saints,' from what i've seen, are bowed down to, whether it is a statue of Christ or an apostle or whoever. i view it as taking the focus off of Christ and putting it in this 'graven image.' there are 'saints' in paintings and carvings throughout, but all baptized believers are saints (Eph 1:1). i'm a saint. i would like claification as to the purpose too. other sites that i have questioned Catholic practices basically told me I would find out 'who's right' on judgement day.
2007-11-12 15:02:01 · answer #7 · answered by cute_niss 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
What you fail to understand is that we DO NOT make the statues gods. We DO NOT worship the statues and make them something they are not. They are reminders of the Saints who have gone on before us who lead good Christian lives. We kneel at the cross of Jesus to remind us what Jesus Christ did for us.To humble us, to gladly accept His gift of salvation and eternal life. If you believe that is idolatry, then you best get rid of all your pictures and portraits in your home and wallets, and also get rid of the bible you worship and make a god
We ONLY worship God Almighty.
2007-11-12 15:45:40 · answer #8 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hopefully people know the difference between God or Saints and a statue. I am not a Catholic but realize they are a representation - like artwork.
2007-11-12 14:51:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
People worship statues all the time. Go to a place like India where statues are considered gods.
I agree that those statues can become a form of idolatry. I've never understood their place in the church.
2007-11-12 14:52:23 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋