When you think of a different religion other than your own you probably have some sort of descriptive words you think of. For example...Jahovah Witness-Door salesman, Baptist- Bible Thumpers, Catholics- Mary Worshipers, Jews-Greedy, and so on. There are so many different things people assume with a religion.
Thus for this class we sat down and looked at the common misunderstandings/assumptions people make about Catholics.
1.) Catholics Worship Saints: Catholics do not worship saints. Prayers are directed through saints because of the belief that all of the saints have an immediate and closer communication path with God.
A great example was that when we are having family issues and we turn to a friend we ask them to pray for us. It is the same type of thing. We are asking the saints to pray and speak to God for us as well.
2.) Catholics do not Believe in the Bible: This is just entirely false. Catholics use the scripture in all liturgy ceremonies. All of their doctrine is also formed from traditions including, but not limited to, the bible! This means that things that were handed down especially from writers in the early church are still integrated into the regular mass although it is text outside of the Bible.
3.) The Pope might as well be a God: The pope is not treated as a God. He is not worshiped and does not have prayers addressed to him like God or Saints. We pray for him like we would pray for our American government. We pray that as our faith leader God works through him to lead the church into the good and faithful.
4.) This is more of a question based #. Why can' we receive holy communion in Mass as non-catholics if we are still christians? We say that the body of Christ for you as well as the blood of Christ shed for you. This is mutual between most Christians, however, when we say Amen we are saying it as in we all believe this statement as well as what the church teaches/believes. Thus, if you are a non-catholic and baptized you may believe that Jesus died on the cross and his body and blood were for you BUT you do not believe the same rituals that the catholic church follows.
5.) The Priest is trying to act as God: This follows the line of question 3. But what should be known is that through reconciliation, communion, and other ceremonies in the church it is seen that the Priest is doing God's will. He is not saying he is Christ, but that he is acting through Christ.
6.) Catholics are not Christians: I don't even know who would say this. But it is stated that this belief comes from the fact that most catholics are christians will usually say they are catholic versus just saying the broader definition of christian.
7.) Catholics approve of heavy drinking, gambling, and other acts of the such. The truth is that Catholics know that God wants us to enjoy our lives on Earth. This means at times we can have a drink or two and enjoy other activities. The only point to this is that God never said not to do it, just to not do it in excess!
8.) Catholics stick their noses in Political Affairs: This one is pretty common with every religion everywhere if you want to have a say in your government. There is a fine line between separation of church and state. The truth is by majority rule we decide what our common laws are. Thus, if we don't vote and write to politicians we are losing the right to our opinions.
9.) Catholics are out of Touch with Progress: I almost can slightly agree with this. I think that there are processes in the works that are working to help with some changes. BUT it should be known there are some things that are a part of mass that are just solid principles and should remain the way they are.
10.) Catholics JUST say Rouge Prayers: First of all rouge prayers are basic prayers that everyone learns. Such as the Hail Marys, Glory to God, and meal prayers. However, we do say other prayers as well. The reason that we say these memorized prayers is so that we are all saying the same prayer in one voice as a community together.
Prayer Requests for the week:
1. Mark was diagnosed with an immune deficiency and needs expensive/risky bone marrow transplant.
2. Work Load
3. Fred Wilson terminal Cancer
4. Cathleen's back issue
5. Bob's ALS
6. College Students
7 Girlfriend's grandfather has liver cancer
8. Brother-in-law, Bob Gardner, has Leukemia
9. Co-worker has cancer.
10. People with medical problems
11. Mark is having a liver transplant.
12. Military Service members
13. Adjust to new living.
14. Wife in hospital with stomach disease.
15. Parent's are elderly.
16. Parishioner is fighting Cancer.
17. Friend is fighting kidney failure
18. Transitions to stay at home mom.
19. Aunt is struggling with diabetes.
20. Pray for good news on blood test.
21. Kendra is a teenager that was just diagnosed with cancer.
22. Friend's daughter broke her leg.
23. Jim Hines passed away.
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