I think many people are well aware of how contradictory Catholicism is. It's especially obvious in Europe with the Vatican being so wealthy even with a refugee crisis going on. Now the Catholic Church is changing its party line on female priests but mainly for political reasons.

Catholicism comes across to me as a man made religion. Which is why there is so much emphasis on priests and the Pope as opposed to Jesus. It's why mass is so fancy. Previously it was a way to govern (I.e. Control people) and the church didn't even hold church services in the native tongue. It's sad because i don't believe that was at all the intent of Christianity. I'm sure there are great things about the Catholic Church but I have little desire to join a religion that's so heavily influenced by men living in an ivory tower in Rome.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this a serious question and not yet another invitation to Catholic-bait on DCUM?

+1

Yep.

A lot of people, especially non-catholics, wonder about this. Most other Cristian churches aren't filled with statues the way Catholic churches are. They don't even have Christ on the cross on the altar, as if they what to hide that Christ suffered and died for our sins.

It's understandable to think that people are worshipping the statues themselves, when they see people kneeling and praying in front of statues, lighting candles and giving money in little boxes located near the statues.

We like art. We comprehend symbolism. We don't worship it. Wow, so much misinformation out there!! Also, Catholics are NOT creationists in case you got that wrong too.

Catholic are not creationists. THey do not believe that God created the word in six days. That's ridiculous. Catholics believe that priests turn ordinary bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ by saying certain words over them.

You left out:

"I desire therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men: 2 For kings and for all that are in high station: that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all piety and chastity. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, 4 who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth"

1 Timothy 2:1-4

There is One mediator, but we are willed to pray for one another through Christ as we all belong to the Body of Christ.

16 So confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another to be cured; the heartfelt prayer of someone upright works very powerfully.
James 5:16

Catholic catechism teaches 1 Timothy 2:5. No inconsistency. There but one mediator. Intercessions and confessions are not the same thing.

You could have just googled Catholic catechism and the verse and gotten your answer. But that would have been less fun for you, I guess.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this a serious question and not yet another invitation to Catholic-bait on DCUM?

+1

Yep.

A lot of people, especially non-catholics, wonder about this. Most other Cristian churches aren't filled with statues the way Catholic churches are. They don't even have Christ on the cross on the altar, as if they what to hide that Christ suffered and died for our sins.

It's understandable to think that people are worshipping the statues themselves, when they see people kneeling and praying in front of statues, lighting candles and giving money in little boxes located near the statues.

We like art. We comprehend symbolism. We don't worship it. Wow, so much misinformation out there!! Also, Catholics are NOT creationists in case you got that wrong too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are confusing worshiping someone with asking for someone's prayers. You are acting as though Mary and saints are considered on the same level as God and Jesus. They are not. They were just people. It's no different than asking a friend or relative to pray for you.

According to Catholic doctrine, Mary went bodily to heaven, like Jesus. That makes her more than "just people."

The other saints went through a long, grueling process before they were named saits, including preforming miracles for people who prayed to them. Nothing ordinary about that.

None of my friends or relatives have performed miracles or gone bodily to heaven.

They are still just people...human beings, not God. Call them special people, if you like, but they are just people.

OP, have you read the responses to your question? What do you think of those responses? Do they make sense to you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this a serious question and not yet another invitation to Catholic-bait on DCUM?

+1

Yep.

OP here.

So, asking a serous question using a verse in the Bible and relating a practice that is common yet seemingly goes against that verse is baiting?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this a serious question and not yet another invitation to Catholic-bait on DCUM?

+1

Yep.

A lot of people, especially non-catholics, wonder about this. Most other Cristian churches aren't filled with statues the way Catholic churches are. They don't even have Christ on the cross on the altar, as if they what to hide that Christ suffered and died for our sins.

It's understandable to think that people are worshipping the statues themselves, when they see people kneeling and praying in front of statues, lighting candles and giving money in little boxes located near the statues.

The people who don't understand paintings and statues of saints probably have pictures of their loved ones in their homes, maybe pictures of some loved ones who have already passed away. Paintings and statues of saints are the equivilant of family pictures hanging on the wall or on the mantel. They are to help us remember and think about our loved ones who have gone before us.

(I've never seen little boxes for money near statues. I have seen boxes for money at the entrance to the church that are labeled "Poor Box" where you can donate to the poor. There are also sometimes boxes near a table of candles to help pay for the candles. Any extra there also goes to the poor. Many churches don't have these at all any more because, sadly, there has been theft. Donations are simply collected during services, or increasingly, online. The money collected goes to church operations and then, in great part, to the poor. Different parishes have different causes that they focus on. My parish focuses on the poor in Haiti and in the Appalachians, in addition to helping people right here in our local area. Most churches would be happy to share information about where they focus their outreach efforts.)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this a serious question and not yet another invitation to Catholic-bait on DCUM?

+1

Yep.

A lot of people, especially non-catholics, wonder about this. Most other Cristian churches aren't filled with statues the way Catholic churches are. They don't even have Christ on the cross on the altar, as if they what to hide that Christ suffered and died for our sins.

It's understandable to think that people are worshipping the statues themselves, when they see people kneeling and praying in front of statues, lighting candles and giving money in little boxes located near the statues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this a serious question and not yet another invitation to Catholic-bait on DCUM?

+1

Yep.

Though shalt not worship a graven image", yet Catholics do.

I'm not sure where you are getting this idea. Catholicism does not advocate worshipping graven images, nor have I ever known a Catholic to do so. Why is it that you think that Catholics worship graven images?

Anonymous wrote:How is this a serious question and not yet another invitation to Catholic-bait on DCUM?

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are all - dead and alive - part of the communion of saints:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communion_of_saints

When I ask e.g. Saint Anthony or Saint Mary to intercede for me ("pray for us"), I am not worshipping the Saint. I am asking him or her to pray for me, just as I would ask you or my sister to do so. I am praying that s/he do so. A prayer is a supplication. Not the same as worship.

http://catholicism.about.com/od/thesaints/f/Pray_to_Saints.htm

I was not referring to worship but rather the path to God is through Christ alone. Therefore doesn't that do away with priests as an intercessor and also asking anyone else to intercede, speak to God and/or Christ, on your behalf.

Do you ever pray for anyone! Does anyone ever pray for you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are confusing worshiping someone with asking for someone's prayers. You are acting as though Mary and saints are considered on the same level as God and Jesus. They are not. They were just people. It's no different than asking a friend or relative to pray for you.

According to Catholic doctrine, Mary went bodily to heaven, like Jesus. That makes her more than "just people."

The other saints went through a long, grueling process before they were named saits, including preforming miracles for people who prayed to them. Nothing ordinary about that.

None of my friends or relatives have performed miracles or gone bodily to heaven.

Absolutely zero Biblical evidence for the assumption of Mary.

Or of the immaculate conception. The Catholic Church made that up @ 300 AD. "Though shalt not worship a graven image", yet Catholics do. I don't get it. The Bible is very clear on this point.

Or the trinity, which Protestants also believe in

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholic doctrine is a demonstrable Christian heresy. This is one of many reasons.

Catholic doctrine was in place 1500 years before protestant doctrine, with its lineage traceable back to St. Peter.

which makes it better?