• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

What are some common misconceptions about Catholicism?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Asherz

Well-Known Member
Jul 8, 2004
1,584
78
✟24,604.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Hello from a non-Catholic. :wave:

I am doing a presentation on Catholicism for a religious studies class and I have to have a part on common misconceptions about Catholicism. So far, I have Mary worship, but I need more!

I thought I would ask you guys, well, because you would be the ones to know.

So, what are some things that people think you believe or do, but you really don't. And, if you could maybe find a few verses or give a small explanation why that is not true that would be really awesome.

Thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Febe

a_ntv

Ens Liturgicum
Apr 21, 2006
6,329
259
✟56,113.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Celibate
Some misconceptions about Catholicism:

To be saved only making works
To be saved only by sacraments
That we cannot read the Bible
That the Church sell indulgences or forgiveness of sins
That our only pray is rosary
That we worship Mary, the saints and so on
That the pope can change the revelation adding something

and so on

If some people of the class want more informations, or you cant answer a question, invite them here on OBOB
 
Upvote 0

anawim

Senior Veteran
Aug 24, 2004
3,105
183
71
NY suburbs
Visit site
✟27,465.00
Faith
Catholic
Politics
US-Republican
Asherz said:
Hello from a non-Catholic. :wave:

I am doing a presentation on Catholicism for a religious studies class and I have to have a part on common misconceptions about Catholicism. So far, I have Mary worship, but I need more!

I thought I would ask you guys, well, because you would be the ones to know.

So, what are some things that people think you believe or do, but you really don't. And, if you could maybe find a few verses or give a small explanation why that is not true that would be really awesome.

Thanks!

Purgatory is a third place. It's a money making scheme.
 
Upvote 0

krstlros

Currently Under Construction
Site Supporter
Jun 16, 2004
25,392
994
Within the arms of God
✟75,310.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Democrat
Catholics are not Christians (I think this is the ultimate biggie)
We see the Pope as God
We are idol worshipers
We are canabols
The Catholic Church didn't exsist until about 300 A.D.

I once had a whole list of "Catholic Misconceptions". Don't know where I put it though. :scratch: Going to see if I can find it again. :doh:
 
Upvote 0

Gwendolyn

back in black
Jan 28, 2005
12,340
1,647
Canada
✟20,680.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Private
  1. That we think Mary is divine.
  2. That we worship Mary and the Saints.
  3. That we worship idols.
  4. That we believe in Salvation by works, or that Salvation can be "earned".
  5. That we are cannibals because we believe that the Eucharist becomes the true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. (See John 6 for a refutation of this - He wasn't kidding.)
  6. That we believe that you can buy forgiveness or Salvation through indulgences (which we most certainly do not believe in any way, shape, or form).
  7. **That we believe that the Pope is always infallible (this is a HUUUUGE misconception - Papal Infallibility is so incredibly misunderstood).
  8. That we discourage personal reading/interpretation of the Bible and even disallow it.
  9. That most of our prayers are "vain repetition" (this misconception comes from a misunderstanding of Christian contemplation and meditation).
  10. That we do not confess our sins to God.
Pretty long list. There are sooooo many misconceptions out there... there is a ton of misinformation floating around.
 
Upvote 0

Asherz

Well-Known Member
Jul 8, 2004
1,584
78
✟24,604.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Veritas_et_Puritas said:
**That we believe that the Pope is always infallible (this is a HUUUUGE misconception - Papal Infallibility is so incredibly misunderstood).

Do you mind explaining a little more on this? I don't think I quite understand it in the first place. As a non-Catholic, it has always been presenting that the Pope cannot sin, and anything he says about doctrine and theology is true, and that his statements are held higher than scriptures at times. Please correct that.
 
Upvote 0

Y_Cathol

Ego Sum Servus Iesu Christi - I am an exile.
May 17, 2004
1,799
76
41
Alberton
Visit site
✟24,924.00
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Single
Asherz said:
Do you mind explaining a little more on this? I don't think I quite understand it in the first place. As a non-Catholic, it has always been presenting that the Pope cannot sin, and anything he says about doctrine and theology is true, and that his statements are held higher than scriptures at times. Please correct that.

Essentially it goes like this: the Pope is infallible when it comes to DOGMA for example: the Real Presence of Christ. - the Most Holy Spirit protects him from error in such cases.

He is NOT infallible when it comes to Discipline or moral teaching.

He IS a human; he CAN sin, he DOES make mistakes. (but NOT in Dogmatic teaching) :)

In Christ,
Pierre.
 
Upvote 0

gtsecc

Aspirant
Sep 3, 2004
8,343
263
56
✟9,845.00
Faith
Anglican
NewMan99 said:
Let's be even more honest: it doesn't.
I didn't just make that up.
I am personally aware of the people and facts in this case. And, it is not isolated, that is the standard deal for an annulment. I'm not saying you aren't Christians or the one true church - just that this particular practice happens, and it reminds peopel of indulgences.
 
Upvote 0

Asherz

Well-Known Member
Jul 8, 2004
1,584
78
✟24,604.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
gtsecc said:
I didn't just make that up.
I am personally aware of the people and facts in this case. And, it is not isolated, that is the standard deal for an annulment. I'm not saying you aren't Christians or the one true church - just that this particular practice happens, and it reminds peopel of indulgences.

Do you by chance have any links? I'm curious about this now.
 
Upvote 0

Davidnic

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Mar 3, 2006
33,142
11,355
✟821,589.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-American-Solidarity
Asherz said:
I must ask about Mary and this co-redemtrix status I keep hearing about. What are your opinions, how does this work, and how does this not put Mary on a level with Christ?

The title is in honor of Mary's unique role in redemption. Mary said yes to the Angel. She plays a role in redemption that no one else plays.

It is not a role that is more important than Christ. It is not a role euqal with Christ. But the yes of Mary (and she could have said no.) through her own free will and choice was the answer that all creation waited for since the fall. The title honors the importance of that yes and calls us to say yes to God as well.

Not in a effort to be the equal of God. But as Mary did, in total love and acceptance of God's will.

Now the title "Co" is not to mean equal. It means with. It comes from the Latin "Cum" The direct and meaning is with. There is no indication of of equality or intention of equality in the title.

Think of it as a co-worker. The head of a work group is in charge. But others in the group are co-workers. They are not equal in authority but have the role to play that the boss wants.

In redemption there is the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. But there is also the yes of Mary. She is the Human, who with a free choice opens the door for the glory that is Christ.

Could God have redeemed us without this? Yes. He could have and still can do anything. But this is the way He wanted it. And Mary was the human whose free choice Cooperated with redemption in a unique way that no one else did.

There is a bit more to the theology, but that is the basics of why it is not a title of equality with Christ.

A couple thing I thought to add. It has been asked in reference to this title, "Then why are the Apostles not Coredeemers, or the martyrs?"
The answer is that because they carry out work resulting from the redemption, they do not have an effect on the act of redemption.

With that answer it is usually asked, "Then why are judas, Pilate and Ciaphas not co. Since their acts led to the cross that is redemption."
The answer to that is that a sin (different ones for each of them) can not by the logic of what redemption is be helpers to it since they are the reason for it's necessity. If anything, the acts of the above men are a deeper indication of why redemption is necessary. And their rejection of God's plan a stark contrast to Mary's acceptance.

I thought I'd add the asnwers to those questions because they are often asked.

All Marian devotions, titles and anytihng serve only to glorify Christ. When they do no do that, something is wrong with the understanding or execution of the practice. Even the yes of Mary. That wonderful excercise of free will is a foreshadow the greater exercise of it by Christ in in the Agony in the Garden when Christ accepts His Fathers will.

Sometimes Catholics misunderstand the Marian devotions. Sometimes Protestants misunderstand them. But the basic fact is that if a devotion does not give greater glory to Christ it is not a devotion to Mary. Because Mary's life by her own words is devoted to that:

My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Luke 1:46-47
 
Upvote 0
Status
Not open for further replies.