I am very sorry that there are so many people who think that Catholics 'worship' people who are declared holy. Catholics pray that these people will intervene for we who are still here on earth, to speak with our Lord about what we've pled with Him to grant to us. THEY are with Him. We are not. That is not worship. That is begging for intervention on behalf of ourselves who haven't been taken into the eternal fold. Unless you have been immersed in the Catholic mindset that is still innocent as when Jesus walked the earth with His disciples; men and women and children, saints and sinners, but have rather, taken up the negative, earthly, holier than all others, elsewhere in the spiritual mindset cloak that pretends to be the real universal church of people struggling to follow Jesus, then you will paint everyone in the faith with the same brush.
Thanks Jenni for reading this post. I said nothing about worshiping people, but spoke about the Ten commandments. Please stick to the topic being discussed.
"Catholics go so far as to totally remove the second command against worshiping images- if you want an exercise in confusion just spend some time trying to understand their justification for amending these very clear words of God!"
I see where you are coming from, yet I fail to understand why Catholics removed the third commandment?
You shall not make to yourselves any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them. For I Jehovah your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons to the third and fourth generation of those that hate me, and showing mercy to thousands of those that love Me and keep My commandments.
(Exo 20:4-6)
See following link for list of the Catholic Ten Commandments:
I can't answer that because I wasn't there when the Catholic church first gave people the ten commandments.
In my parish-run parochial schools, we were never taught to worship anyone but God.
I did bring up my children in the church, and I also taught them to question authority always if they had questions or disagreements. None of them have followed up with religion as they became adults. I do know that if a child is brought up to know and love God, and they were, that one day they will remember that.
I still question the Catholic church. It's good to do that. Ultimately people who serve others as parents, elders, teachers, leaders, counsellors, confessors are not perfect people.
I hope you see where I'm coming from, even if you don't understand why.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I appreciate all input from my fellow Substackers. :)
It's okay. You don't know me either. It's okay if you don't understand. You aren't here to understand everything. That's never going to happen. Only God knows another person. Don't worry about it and please, don't worry about the faith of other people. Just walk your path on earth. God is Good. Amen.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
Very well written, important truths for us all to take heed of & the warnings of taking and bearing God's name in vain, never to take that ever lightly but ponder the depths & seriousness of calling oneself Christlike-a Christian and how are we representing our King of Kings as his envoys, ambassadors emissaries and exemplifying bringing forth the character & nature of Jesus Christ by His indwelling in us and through us in our moment by moment daily life, and how we are being Holy Spirit infilled, anointed & led, how we allow God's holy Spirit to overcome our carnal flesh, being crucified & buried with Christ and living in the transforming resurrection power of newness of Spirit life, dying to our old man our old nature & putting on our new man & new nature in Christ, bringing forth Spirit and kingdom fruits that are evidenced & seen clearly by others in our everyday lives of loving obedience in every single area, living set apart ongoing sanctified lives to our Heavenly father & in the high calling of our walk of faith in Christ. Thank you Martin.
I’ll reserve commenting too much on what I think of the Catholic Church. I’ve been into many, and am struck by images of Christ on the Cross, and the over-representation of the mother Mary.
There are various practices which bewilder me, like rosary beads, crossing oneself, the confessional, hail marys (whatever that is), right up to the pope himself. How does one earthly man exact such power? Why does he change his name? What on Earth is his actual role? Why can’t catholic priests marry? (If they could, it might solve some heinous problems we all know exist in the catholic church.)
Like I said-bewilder.
I am not one to judge, being young in Christianity. But how can the Earthly pope be so powerful in catholicism? I think God may have something to say about this, come Judgement Day!!
Thanks RR for reading and commenting and thinking about it. These are all very important questions which we need to determine for ourselves. I will have more to say about them in future posts on this subject, so I look forward to your comments then.
I am very sorry that there are so many people who think that Catholics 'worship' people who are declared holy. Catholics pray that these people will intervene for we who are still here on earth, to speak with our Lord about what we've pled with Him to grant to us. THEY are with Him. We are not. That is not worship. That is begging for intervention on behalf of ourselves who haven't been taken into the eternal fold. Unless you have been immersed in the Catholic mindset that is still innocent as when Jesus walked the earth with His disciples; men and women and children, saints and sinners, but have rather, taken up the negative, earthly, holier than all others, elsewhere in the spiritual mindset cloak that pretends to be the real universal church of people struggling to follow Jesus, then you will paint everyone in the faith with the same brush.
Thanks Jenni for reading this post. I said nothing about worshiping people, but spoke about the Ten commandments. Please stick to the topic being discussed.
"Catholics go so far as to totally remove the second command against worshiping images- if you want an exercise in confusion just spend some time trying to understand their justification for amending these very clear words of God!"
Catholics do not worship images.
"I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have strange gods before me" is what I was taught.
True story...and on topic. Thank you for replying. Glad that you are willing to talk with others about faith. It's needed. God bless.
Thanks Jenni
Appreciate your feedback.
I see where you are coming from, yet I fail to understand why Catholics removed the third commandment?
You shall not make to yourselves any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them. For I Jehovah your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons to the third and fourth generation of those that hate me, and showing mercy to thousands of those that love Me and keep My commandments.
(Exo 20:4-6)
See following link for list of the Catholic Ten Commandments:
https://cam1.org.au/Catholic-Faith/Church-Teaching/The-Ten-Commandments. There is no mention of Exo 20:4-6.
Why is this so Jenni?
I can't answer that because I wasn't there when the Catholic church first gave people the ten commandments.
In my parish-run parochial schools, we were never taught to worship anyone but God.
I did bring up my children in the church, and I also taught them to question authority always if they had questions or disagreements. None of them have followed up with religion as they became adults. I do know that if a child is brought up to know and love God, and they were, that one day they will remember that.
I still question the Catholic church. It's good to do that. Ultimately people who serve others as parents, elders, teachers, leaders, counsellors, confessors are not perfect people.
I hope you see where I'm coming from, even if you don't understand why.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I appreciate all input from my fellow Substackers. :)
I don’t understand-how can people be declared holy. And why even pray to them? I pray to God, in Jesus’ name.
I don’t really understand your whole comment Jenni. Sorry.
It's okay. You don't know me either. It's okay if you don't understand. You aren't here to understand everything. That's never going to happen. Only God knows another person. Don't worry about it and please, don't worry about the faith of other people. Just walk your path on earth. God is Good. Amen.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
(Pro 3:5-7)
Great comment Jenni, very respectful and clear about your perspective.
Thanks RR, very peaceable comment, it is difficult to be friendly and disagree on basic concepts.
Very well written, important truths for us all to take heed of & the warnings of taking and bearing God's name in vain, never to take that ever lightly but ponder the depths & seriousness of calling oneself Christlike-a Christian and how are we representing our King of Kings as his envoys, ambassadors emissaries and exemplifying bringing forth the character & nature of Jesus Christ by His indwelling in us and through us in our moment by moment daily life, and how we are being Holy Spirit infilled, anointed & led, how we allow God's holy Spirit to overcome our carnal flesh, being crucified & buried with Christ and living in the transforming resurrection power of newness of Spirit life, dying to our old man our old nature & putting on our new man & new nature in Christ, bringing forth Spirit and kingdom fruits that are evidenced & seen clearly by others in our everyday lives of loving obedience in every single area, living set apart ongoing sanctified lives to our Heavenly father & in the high calling of our walk of faith in Christ. Thank you Martin.
Thanks H, appreciate your reading and commenting.
I’ll reserve commenting too much on what I think of the Catholic Church. I’ve been into many, and am struck by images of Christ on the Cross, and the over-representation of the mother Mary.
There are various practices which bewilder me, like rosary beads, crossing oneself, the confessional, hail marys (whatever that is), right up to the pope himself. How does one earthly man exact such power? Why does he change his name? What on Earth is his actual role? Why can’t catholic priests marry? (If they could, it might solve some heinous problems we all know exist in the catholic church.)
Like I said-bewilder.
I am not one to judge, being young in Christianity. But how can the Earthly pope be so powerful in catholicism? I think God may have something to say about this, come Judgement Day!!
Thanks for another great post Martin!
Thanks RR for reading and commenting and thinking about it. These are all very important questions which we need to determine for ourselves. I will have more to say about them in future posts on this subject, so I look forward to your comments then.