02-16-2007, 04:23 AM
To the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit. Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth & good will to all!
Hi Dan :wavey:
It's funny... In light of recent events, I feel as though my posts should include a disclaimer :confused_smile:
I'm more than happy to discuss Catholic beliefs & practises on these boards but I hope nobody accuses me of transgression down the track.
Please understand that I'm not perfect. If I unintentionally say something that offends anyone, I humbly pray for forgiveness. My aim is not to attack Muslims whilst expressing my faith.
Quote:How is praying to saints (something other than the Creator) not polytheism? Go to the Vatican and you can see all the idols that people pray to. The foot of the statue of Peter has to be replaced because people touch it so much. What benefit are they getting from this? Did Jesus say to do this act, let alone the Almighty Supreme? No way! Why is this man... statue of a man being venerated? This is one of the examples of how men following their own caprice leads them to deviant acts that they believe are benefitting them.
Here are some biblical references:
St Matthew 27:47-49
St John 2:1-10
Acts 8:24
Romans 15:30
1 St Timothy 2:1-3
Hebrews 13:18
St James 5:16
Revelations 5:8; 8:3-4
Genesis 18:16-32
Exodus 32:11-14
Job 42:7-10
Zechariah 1:12
2 Maccabees 15:12-16
Christians believe that God's people are one family. The saints in heaven are my brothers & sisters. In prayer, I converse with them.
"The Christian veneration of images is not contrary to the first commandment which proscribes idols. Indeed, 'the honor rendered to an image passes to its prototype,' and 'whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it.' Religious worship is not directed to images in themselves, considered as mere things, but under their distinctive aspect as images leading us on to God incarnate. The movement toward the image does not terminate in it as image, but tends toward that whose image it is" (CCC 2132).
Just like my dad, I'm sure you have pictures of your children in your wallet & look at them contemplatively & perhaps even kiss them from time to time.
Quote:Reflecting on what worship is and what "God," or one who is worthy of worship is eliminates this confusion and straying.
"The Catholic Church makes a complete & clear distinction between the supreme worship that is given to God alone (adoration) & the relative & inferior homage which is paid to the saints (veneration)."
Quote:Why pray to anyone else when Allah Suhanna wa t'ala is always Hearing? If I cannot communicate with my spouse and ask my friend to talk to her for me about our relationship, she would be FUMING. To me, this just shows weakness in the relationship.
Okay, when you were a child & wanted something from your dad but feared he'd say no because you were misbehaving, wouldn't you beg your mom to help plead on your behalf? I sure did! It's not the best example but I'm sure you can make the connection.
The invocation of saints is optional for Catholics. I love them because they love God. I ask them to pray for me so that I can follow their example.
Okay! So I'm really interested in learning more about Islam. I'm a very spiritual person. If it's not too much trouble, could someone please answer the questions I asked in post 12? WAEL WAYNAK??? :P
Thanks for everything!
God bless you & yours.