10 Things Catholics Are Tired of Hearing

1.“Catholics worship statues.” This stereotype is painful to hear. Not only is this completely false, but it is ludicrous. Despite the fact that there are 801 millions Protestants world-wide, according to the Pew Research Center, my rant will be geared towards our brothers and sisters in the United States. In this country, approximately 51.5% of people are Protestant Christians. Realistically, most of these families have pictures in their home, which is completely normal, right? Right. They have pictures of their loved ones, both living and deceased. Is it not hypocritical then to say that Catholics are idol worshipers, when these families have portraits of their loved ones on the walls? If these Protestant families can have pictures of Uncle Bernie and Mawmaw hanging on the wall, then most certainly the Church can present pictures of our beloved Jesus, his disciples, and the saints.

2.“Catholics pray to Mary instead of God.” This is a very common misconception throughout the Protestant community, and while I can understand why it is, I am also disheartened that many jump to such a harsh conclusion of the Catholic faith. We don’t pray to Mary, we ask her to pray for us, just as a Protestant asks their deceased grandparent/parent to watch over them.

3. “The saints can’t hear your prayers, because they are dead.” I beg to differ. Since when is anyone who is in Heaven considered dead? We call it the afterLIFE for a reason. In fact, there is biblical proof that the saints can hear our prays: -Revelation 5:8 “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” -Revelation 8:3-4 “Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.”

4. “Mother Mary isn’t important; she’s just like anyone else.” If our Blessed Mother isn’t important, then every female would have had an immaculate conception. For this reason, that is why the declarative statement above doesn’t make sense. Of course Mother Mary is important, she gave birth to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What is so amazing about the Catholic faith is the fact that we recognize the importance of Mary, and we honor her accordingly. She is a role model and saint for all Christians to look up to, because she submitted to God completely. Until the day another woman gives birth to Jesus, no one will ever be just like Mary. She is a very special, holy woman.

5. “Catholics made up all their rules.” Every single tradition we have in the Catholic Church, namely during Mass, has biblical roots. Not to mention the fact that Jesus was the founder of our Church. I don’t know about you, but Jesus doesn’t make mistakes.

6. “God said to confess sins to Him, not a priest.” This one is a personal favorite of mine. Drum roll please. -James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” It is true that we pray directly to God, and ask Him to forgiveness, however for sins (mortal) we do as Jesus commands and confess it to one another (our priests). Jesus said this directly to his disciples, so through Him, they were able to forgive sins. This power passed down to every priest, and so on and so forth. That felt good.

7. “Catholicism is a cult.” Jesus Christ founded this Church more than 2,000 years ago, I would hardly call it a cult.

8. “Catholics aren’t Christians.” The word Christian is associated with anyone who follows Christ’s teachings, and since the Catholic Church does just that then we are to be called Christians. Not to mention Catholics were actually the first Christians.

9. “Catholics added books to the Holy Bible.” This one is so hilarious it hurts. For 300 years there was no Bible, only random writings from the prophets like St.Peter etc, until the Catholic monks compiled and canonized what is now known today as the Holy Bible. (That is until the Protestant Reformation occurred, in which one man *Martin Luther* removed 7 books). Ouch.

10. “Catholics believe you can pay your way into Heaven.” We definitely do not. That is a huge misconception which occurred during the Protestant Reformation.

Despite the many stereotypes that hang over our faith, the important thing to remember is our Church has stood the test of time and remained for more than 2,000 years. Whether you are Catholic or Protestant-- we are all followers of Christ, and He is the ultimate goal.

>>>>If you have ever asked your mother or one of your brothers or sisters to pray for you, then you have no basis for objecting to my asking Mary to pray for me. Mary is among the saints in Heaven, and Revelation tells us that the saints in Heaven pray for us who are here on earth.<<<<

Revelation says no such thing. There is no example in the Bible of someone praying to the dead. The only thing close is Saul’s sin of visiting the witch in hopes of conjuring Samuel from the grave. That did not end well for Saul.

Why do you suppose Paul struggled with whether to be with Christ, or to stay in his body on Earth? He explains, it was more beneficial to Believers for him to stay. If he was with Christ, he could no longer be a blessing to Believers, he could no longer teach them and pray for them. (Philippians 1:21-30) Physical death is the separation of the inner man from the outer man, or the soul and spirit from the body (James 2:26). Without a body, man is Eternal (out of time so to speak). He no longer has authority on the Earth. God gave man dominion over the Earth for a time. Man cannot exercise dominion without a body, without being in the temporal world. While on Earth, we are spiritual beings (speaking spirits created in the image of God), with a soul, in a body (flesh). You can choose to walk in the spirit, or in the flesh, but you need both to exercise authority here on Earth. Note the key qualifier in Matthew 18:19, and the presence of Jesus.

Matthew 18:18-20 (AMP) — Emphasis added in verse 19
18 Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven.
19 Again I tell you, if two of you ON EARTH agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.
20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them.

Those who are no longer in their bodies, who have died in the Lord, rest from their labors and finished their course. (2 Timothy 4:6-8, Revelation 14:13) They are not servants to those who remain on Earth. I have a great cloud of witnesses - parents and grandparents who were all Spirit-filled Believers who are with God as I type. They can do nothing for me now. They have offered all praise, prayers, and released their faith while on the Earth. It is now my turn. I must have faith in God’s Word. Certainly, you can pray for others who are alive, and request their faith and prayers, but you will never truly mature as a Believer until you stand on your own faith, and walk in the spirit, not the flesh.

ALL forms of idolatry are off limits to a Believer, including necromancy, soothsaying, socery, and divination. Why? Because Believers DON’T NEED THEM!!!! All those practices divert your attention from the ONLY MEDIATOR between you and God, Jesus. (John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5) The moment you turn to other mediators, or to think you need heavenly assistance other than Jesus, you are deceived. Deception is Satan’s best weapon. God’s Word, His Truth, is your best defense, and a far superior weapon. (John 8:44, Acts 13:10, 2 Corinthians 11:3-15, Ephesians 6) As Isaiah asks, should not a people seek and consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? (Isaiah 8:19)

Ask yourself this question. Why do you need Mary, or anyone else in Heaven or on Earth for that matter, to approach God on your behalf? Do you think God plays favorites? (Deuteronomy 10:17, 2 Chronicles 19:7, Psalm 86:1-5, Acts 10:34-35, Romans 2:11, 10:10-13, Ephesians 6:9-10, 1 Peter 1:14-19) No! If you are led by the Spirit, you are a CHILD of God. You may be a spiritual infant, but grow up by feeding on His Word and grab hold of the Truth that you have standing with God. You can BOLDLY enter the throne room at any time, approach your Heavenly Father as freely as natural children visit their fathers. (Hebrews 4:16) Jesus promised, If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:14) And just in case his disciples missed this Truth, he repeated it a short time later, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. (John 16:23) Why? Look back at John 14:13 - And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Whatsoever covers just about everything. And note who gets the glory - not you, not any saint, and certainly not Mary.

But wait, there’s more! A further look at John 14 reveals a remarkable Truth for Believers.

John 14:15-18 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 14:23-27 (KJV)
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Wow! God Himself dwells in Believers. Tell me again why I need to consult those who are no longer with us?

And if that was not enough for you...

Ephesians 2:4-6 (KJV)
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

All of Ephesians is full of revelation, but focus for a moment WHERE the Believer is IN CHRIST.

Don’t doubt your faith, or your standing IN CHRIST. Go boldly before your Heavenly Father, BELIEVE His Word and receive everything He has prophesied for and about you. They may be promises to you, but they are prophetic for God, because every Word from God is incorruptible Seed, and it will accomplish what He desires. (Psalm 119, Isaiah 55:10:11, Matthew 7:21-28, 13, 24:35, Luke 4:4, Hebrews 4:11-16, 1 Peter 1:13-25)

One final thought, the vast majority of your prayer time should be praise and fellowship with your Father, and only a small portion concerning requests, intercession, or petitions. Jesus has already told you in Matthew 18, John 14 and 16 (and also Mark 11) how to have confidence in your prayer requests. So what can those who have finished their race add to this? How could you have fellowship with those in Heaven without violating God’s clear commandments against such practices, not to mention overcoming the barriers between those on Earth and in Heaven? (Leviticus 19:31, 20, Deuteronomy 18:9-14, Luke 16:19-31)

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.