Where is your crucifix hung in your home? And other religious pieces?
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Anonymous
What is veiling in this context? I find this thread very interesting. I had Catholic friends growing up but none were particularly devout so as far as I know they didn't have many religious items in the home. At least, I never saw any, not even a crucifix in the bedroom or anything. We are Jewish and have a mezzuzzah in each doorway except for the bathroom. They are decorative as well as religious. We also have our Hannukah menorahs and Shabbat candlesticks on display as they are very pretty and we enjoy looking at them when they're not in use. And we have our ketubah -- the decorated, signed marriage contract -- hung by the front door. I think that's it. All the rest of the art is non-religious. And the other religious items are not decorative so they're put away in drawers. |
Anonymous
Wow! You should write a letter to the pope, pp. I bet he never read that part of the Bible. Also, haven't you seen stained glass windows in protestant churches before? Aren't those graven images? Do you also refuse to eat pork and follow all of the other rules in Exodus? Catholics and Orthodox go by Romans 10:4: "Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." The presence of Christian iconography in the early church (as in millennia ago) was hotly debated: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aniconism_in_Christianity No "graven image" is an idol, not something in a stained glass window. http://www.gotquestions.org/graven-image.html. Also most Christian religions do not have a dead Christ on the Cross right up front, a huge Mary in a corner, patron Saints of the church in other corners and other life-sized dead people to whom you are to pray for for intervention to God in your prayers (A concept not in the bible). http://www.gotquestions.org/graven-image.html |
Anonymous
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Isn't the crucifix vs. the cross a question of theological emphasis?
The crucifix emphasizes that Christ obtained our salvation by dying on the cross for our sins. The cross without the body appears to me emphasize more the resurrection--an empty cross is somewhat like the empty tomb. In general, Catholicism seems to embrace more the messier sides of life--our sins, the pains of suffering and death, and the sorrows that accompany it (see, for example, the Pieta). Many Protestant churches, on the other hand, seem to take a more sanitized view that de-emphasizes the messier sides. |
Anonymous
I cover my head whenever I enter a Catholic church. It's a choice I made at 12. What a lot of people including Catholics don't understand is getting rid of veils was never part of Vatican II. During a press conference a cardinal misspoke and the media went with it and due to pressure it became sort of "don't ask don't tell". It's funny. My DH and I are very open and fairly liberal. We don't adhere to the sex rules set out by the church. We don't care what anyone else does with their bodies. Etc. But when it comes to actual Catholic traditions we are drawn to them |
Anonymous
No "graven image" is an idol, not something in a stained glass window. http://www.gotquestions.org/graven-image.html. Also most Christian religions do not have a dead Christ on the Cross right up front, a huge Mary in a corner, patron Saints of the church in other corners and other life-sized dead people to whom you are to pray for for intervention to God in your prayers (A concept not in the bible). http://www.gotquestions.org/graven-image.html Catholics do not pray to statues. That is so ignorant. |
Anonymous
NP - Catholics don't put a great deal of stock into the Old Testament. Our entire mass week after week is pretty much all about the life and death of Christ. As is the year. As is the sacraments. Stained glass oringinated because very few people could read. Since the mass is Christ centered specifically to communion and His sacrifice that is why most have a crucifix. As for statues and intercession of Saints - well you either choose to understand or you don't. We worship God in three persons. Father Son Holy spirit. Most needs we are unworthy to speak directly to God. We ask intercession on our behalf via a Saint. They are favored, they are with God. They can ask favor on our behalf. We do not worship them but we do thank them. This is really simplified but I could right pages and pages about it. I spent 13 years in a pretty hardcore parochial system. 
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Anonymous
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18.29 - but please explain to me (I'm asking nicely, no snark) why 1) the necessity of the body of Christ on the cross and on necklaces; 2) the statues that do indeed adorn Catholic churches- I do see these as graven images; 3) the Saints - no mention in the bible; 4) the adoration or worship or whatever you want to call it of Mary - also not in the ible so I just don't get it - people says she's "revered not worshipped" - I don't undersand the difference; 5) and how do the saints and Mary intercede? That's not in the bible either. I guess I don't buy Transsubstantiation either so I'm probably a hopeless protestant but am curious.
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Anonymous
18:29 here. You say no snark but your post is dripping in it even if that was not your intention. 1) the necessity of the body of Christ on the cross and on necklaces As I said our our year, our week and our mass are a reflection of the life and death of Christ (even our hours and days if you want to get really old school). Especially His death and sacrifice. The Crucifix is a symbol of this and a reminder. I've never met a catholic wearing a Crucifix that wasn't in a Holy Order. If you mean on the Rosary well, again, the mysteries all reflect the life and death of Christ. 2) the statues that do indeed adorn Catholic churches- I do see these as graven images That is okay if you see these as graven images, you are not Catholic, but it doesn't make you right. Everything in a Catholic church is there for a reason and its been that way for a very very very long time. Most are visual aids because very few people could read at the times churches were being established. That is why we have so many symbols. That is why the stations of the cross have images and not just "Jesus falls the second time". Mary and Joseph are represented because they tell the story of Jesus' life. Every single thing in a Catholic church tells a part of or is a symbol of that story. 3) the Saints - no mention in the bible As I said before Catholics don't put a lot of stock in the Old Testament. And Saints are mentioned in the bible, both the word and the people themselves. For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ - Ephesians 4:12. Saint derives from the Greek word for holy and set apart. Christians are called saints because they are called to live "set apart" and followers of Christ are called to be holy. The New testament is almost entirely made up of books by Saints. So I am confused by your question. 4) the adoration or worship or whatever you want to call it of Mary - also not in the ible so I just don't get it - people says she's "revered not worshipped" - I don't undersand the difference; No snark right?
Mary is venerated. Venerated means: regard with great respect. Respect means: a feeling of deep admiration for someone. Worship (in the context of Christianity) means: reverent honor and homage paid to God Why do Catholics respect Mary, who by the way was always shown great respect and reverence in the bible? God sent the Savior through her. Bottom line - but theres more. She was the first to witness a miracle by Jesus and it was at her request. Catholics believe John (and all the apostles) represents all the people of the Church. As Christ struggled on the cross he took the time to give her to him or to us. "Behold your son" "Here is your mother" I can go on here but this is getting long. 5) and how do the saints and Mary intercede? That's not in the bible either. They speak your need to God the intervene on your behalf. Mary's intercession is in the bible by the way. Wedding at Cana. That said, again, Catholics are not bible literalists. After the time in the bible there is a great deal of Christian history. Bonus) I guess I don't buy Transsubstantiation either so I'm probably a hopeless protestant but am curious. Transubstantiation. You don't have to buy it or any Catholic teaching as it isn't your faith. It isn't how you worship God. Catholics believe that the apostles represent all of Christ's followers they were just His first. When He performed the miracles at the Last Supper he gave His body and blood to His followers. We believe that this takes place again during weekly communion. We believe in the real presence of Christ. His real presence is there in the church. It is my personal reason for veiling as it is my personal way to show humility before the real presence of God. I hope that helped. |
Anonymous
| I like those plaques with Bible verses. I find them inspiring. I don't care if you think they are tacky. |
Anonymous
Not sure what bible you've been reading but everything you say isn't in the bible absolutely is. |
Anonymous
Please provide citations then. I know the Bible very well. Catholic theology is filled with things that cannot be substantiated Biblically. |
Anonymous
Regarding the body of Christ on the cross, you absolutely worship Christ. I see no way that that isn't a graven image. Regardless of your motivations, God said not to do it. |
Anonymous
Different pp. Why is the Bible your only source? Who are the people who chose the books in the Bible? And aren't those the same people who decided on the veneration of Mary, the saints, and iconography as part of the Christian tradition? Why do you accept tradition in the form of the Bible but not those other things? |
Anonymous
No "graven image" is an idol, not something in a stained glass window. http://www.gotquestions.org/graven-image.html. Also most Christian religions do not have a dead Christ on the Cross right up front, a huge Mary in a corner, patron Saints of the church in other corners and other life-sized dead people to whom you are to pray for for intervention to God in your prayers (A concept not in the bible). http://www.gotquestions.org/graven-image.html Christianity is not burdened by the legalism you wish to project on it. A statue is an image, same as a wooden icon, same as a stained glass window. If one is idolatry, so would the rest be. Your own link says as much!!! Fortunately we are Christians and we don't have to worry about this nonsense as long as we are not literally worshipping statues and pictures. The obvious context for this is that people in the time of the ten commandments were literally worshipping statues. |
Anonymous
I'm religious but that still made me lol. |