Question for Catholics

[Goldmoon]

I don't know if this has been addressed here or not, but I'm curious.

When a Catholic prays to a saint, would that be considered praying to an idol?

I'm not trying to be offensive; I just would like some clarification.
Thanks!

 

[chilehed]

No offense taken, it's a common misconception.

Just as you can ask me to pray to God for you, and I can ask you the same in return, so can we both ask our departed bretheren in heaven to pray for us. A common objection is that you can't pray to dead people, but anyone in heaven isn't dead, they're more alive than we are here.

Remember that "prayer" is merely asking someone for a favor, it does not necessarily imply worship. I'm sure you've heard the old phrase "Prithee pass the mashed potatoes" (or somesuch), meaning "Pray thee pass the mashed potatoes". No worship is intended or implied.

And yes, this is supported by scripture. In the book of Revelation there is the scene in which the saints in heaven are offering up incense to God, the incense being the prayers of the believers on earth. They must've got them somehow, I mean, the prayers were made, and they made their way into the posession of the saints, who presented them to God.

Here's a helpful link:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Praying_to_the_Saints.asp

 

[Miss Shelby]

When a Catholic prays to a saint, would that be considered praying to an idol?

Hello Goldmoon!

No, that would not be considered praying to an idol. 'To pray' is simply to ask. Since we believe that the faithful departed in Christ are fully alive with Him in Heaven, we view it as no different than asking a brother or sister to pray for us to the Lord our God on our behalf. The prayer of a righteouss man availeth much!

Thanks for asking!

Michelle

 

[Wolseley]

An idol is only an idol if it is worshipped. Since we don't worship saints, but rather only God alone, idolatry doesn't apply.

 

[Malone1234]

[notroll]

Sorry about that, but this question has been answered. This forum isn't for debates.

 

[MattMMMan17]

What's really interesting about Catholocism is that many of the earliest saints were really re-named pagan gods that the German hordes used to pray to. They weren't actual people.

It's also really interesting how even older people who should be more mature find the need to hijack a thread from its original purpose. That is a blatant attack unrelated to the original topic and without proof. Congratulations, you've just been reported. And now back to the topic at hand. The question has already been answered quite completely by the previous posters. So I guess all I have to say is. . .yup.

 

[Goldmoon]

I think I understand now..Thanks guys!