Do the Saints talk back?

[Tzaousios]

It is not a "hatred." It is probably similar to your feelings towards Mormons, etc. You just think they are "wrong."

Well, if that is the nature of your "disagreement," you have not done a very good job of projecting it since you have been at CF. Rather, you give the impression that you think Catholics are not Christians, and that anything that you perceive to be "Catholic" must be denigrated at all costs.

Also, the comparison with Mormons is not analogous, unless you wish to say that Catholic and Orthodox Christians are not in fact Christians.

Growing up in the Philippines, when I would read the Bible about the disciples and Christians in the beginning of the Church, and then saw the Catholic processions with young men whipping themselves to make them bleed, and saw (on TV) the devout crucifying themselves (just short of death), and many other strange "traditions" (with no biblical support whatsoever), I had to come to the conclusion that they were "wrong."

This sounds all nice and neat when rhetorically reconfigured to serve your present apologetical purposes. However, to the discerning reader, it smacks way too much of typical Protestant justifications against Roman Catholicism, and reveals a striking ignorance of the ways in which ascetical piety has been expressed in history and connections it might have with the present practice in the Philippines.

 

[DrBubbaLove]

I grew up in the Philippines where it was common for someone to have their vehicle adorned with numerous statues. But they always seemed to be statues of the same "patron" saints.

Are you saying that they could just as well have a statue of any mother, or any deceased christian in Heaven?

.

I have traveled by jeepnee and did not make a Catholic connection with the decor at the time. Have also seen cars plastered with "Christian" bumper stickers. I would hardly make or take a blanket position on the basis of the cars plastered wtih those bumper stickers.

Having said that and making the huge assumption the questions here are truly curious as opposed to goading, if the statues were of a Saint noted for protected travelers then it would make sense to have those on a jeepnee. Am not sure the same association would be made with someone putting a statue of their mother on the jeepnee.

The presumption in the case of the Saint, is they are indeed in Heaven and noted for being a prayer warrior for a particular cause. If it could be said that one's mother had a fondness for jeepnees and perhaps evangelizing to taxi drivers, then I could see the connection. Otherwise it is just a statue of one's mom, which as far as that goes would be hard pressed to label that wrong.

 

[bbbbbbb]

This discussion reminds me a bit of Buddhist ancestor worship. There are multitudes of faithful Buddhists who will ardently insist that the prayers and offerings made at the household shrines of their ancestors are heard and answered and they will provide many testimonies of miracles performed by them.

 

[steve_bakr]

This discussion reminds me a bit of Buddhist ancestor worship. There are multitudes of faithful Buddhists who will ardently insist that the prayers and offerings made at the household shrines of their ancestors are heard and answered and they will provide many testimonies of miracles performed by them.

Well, that's an interesting perspective!

 

[Presentist]

you give the impression that you think Catholics are not Christians

I have said no such thing. As in any Christian church, who is and is not a true believer in Jesus is up to God.

However, may I ask you...

Since I am a member of a Christian church other than the Roman Catholic Church, is it still possible that I will still go to Heaven?

.

 

[DrBubbaLove]

Someone who really knew what RCCs' believe would not have to ask such a question.

 

[Standing Up]

.

 

[Tzaousios]

I have said no such thing. As in any Christian church, who is and is not a true believer in Jesus is up to God.

Yes, but you would not say so directly, anyways. Nevertheless, despite trying to cover the bases with this formulaic response, your actual practice in Mariology says something quite different. I think many have already picked up on this.

However, may I ask you...

Since I am a member of a Christian church other than the Roman Catholic Church, is it still possible that I will still go to Heaven?

Why would you ask me this? I am not a Catholic and cannot make any definitive statements as if I was one. However, I can offer my informed opinion, modern Catholics make various replies on this question based upon their adherence to recent statements made by the Vatican and also on historical precedent.