Questions/Doubts/Wrong Practices to the Catholic Church--Analysis and Opinion

[cliff_drew]

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Kakatapos lang ng "Beatification" ni "Pope" John Paul II. In the Next few days, marami ng maglalabasang mga PICTURES, and SCULPTURES ni John Paul II.

May bagong "Santo" na namang LULUHURAN at SASAMBAHIN ang mga Katoliko.

@ T/S ano pong masasabi nyo? di po ba bawal ito sa Biblia?

Is the use of icons in worship supported by Bible teachings? Definitely, no but let's took some history how these practices originated.

The Encyclopædia Britannica says that "during the first three centuries of the Christian Church, . . . there was no Christian art, and the church generally resisted it with all its might. Clement of Alexandria, for example, criticized religious (pagan) art in that it encouraged people to worship that which is created rather than the Creator."

How, then, did the use of icons become so popular? The Britannica continues: "About the mid-3rd century an incipient pictorial art began to be used and accepted in the Christian Church but not without fervent opposition in some congregations. Only when the Christian Church became the Roman imperial church under Emperor Constantine in the early 4th century were pictures used in the churches, and they then began to strike roots in Christian popular religiosity."

A common practice among the stream of pagans who now began to declare themselves Christians was the worship of portraits of the emperor. "In accordance with the cult of the emperor," explains John Taylor in his book Icon Painting, "people worshipped his portrait painted on canvas or wood, and from thence to the veneration of icons was a small step." Thus pagan worship of pictures was replaced by the veneration of pictures of Jesus, Mary, angels, and "saints." These pictures that started to be used in the churches gradually found their way into the homes of millions of people, being venerated there as well.

Jesus told his listeners that God's servants must worship "with spirit and truth." (John 4:24) So when a sincere person seeks to know the truth about the use of icons in worship, he has to turn to God's Word for enlightenment on the subject.

For instance, the Bible contains Jesus' statement: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Paul declared that "there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus," and that "Christ . . . pleads for us.' (1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 8:34) This takes on added meaning when we read that Christ is able to "save completely those who are approaching God through him, because he is always alive to plead for them." (Hebrews 7:25) It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we should approach God. No other person, and certainly no lifeless icon, can substitute for him. Such knowledge from God's Word can help anyone seeking the truth to find the way to worship "the Father with spirit and truth" and experience the blessings of this superior way of worship. Indeed, as Jesus said, "the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him."—John 4:23.

[cliff_drew]

Asa man na gikuha sa mga Katoliko ang mga pangalan sa 3 ka mga pastol nga gi-nganlan ug Melchor, Gaspar ug Baltazar nga wala man na sa Bibliya?

@ketllac already answered on the previous post on where these names came from but in addition, see below:

Two Gospels, Matthew and Luke, chronicle the birth of Jesus. These accounts show that only lowly shepherds from nearby fields visited Jesus at his birth. The so-called kings, or wise men, were in reality astrologers, not royalty, and they are not numbered. The astrologers did not journey to the side of a newborn in a manger but arrived when Jesus was a child and was living in a house. Their presence even jeopardized the life of Jesus!

Look closely at the account of Jesus' birth by Bible writer Luke, and you will find that it says: "There were . . . shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah's angel stood by them, and . . . said to them: ‘. . . You will find an infant bound in cloth bands and lying in a manger.' . . . And they went with haste and found Mary as well as Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger."—Luke 2:8-16.

Only Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds were present with baby Jesus. No one else is listed in Luke's report.

Now examine the account at Matthew 2:1-11 from the King James Bible: "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem . . . And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother."

Notice that the account states just "wise men," not "three wise men," and that they first traveled from the east to Jerusalem, not to the birth city of Jesus, Bethlehem. By the time they finally reached Bethlehem, Jesus was a "young child"—no longer a baby—and no longer in a stable but in a house.

Also, while the King James Bible uses the words "wise men" in describing these visitors, other translations use "Magi" or "astrologers." According to A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew, the expression "wise men" translates "a Greek noun which originally referred to Persian priests who were experts in astrology." And The Expanded Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines the word as "a wizard, sorcerer, a pretender to magic powers, a professor of the arts of witchcraft."

Although astrology and witchcraft are still popular today, the Bible warns against their use. (Isaiah 47:13-15) They are forms of spiritism and are practices that Jehovah God abhors. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) That is why no angel of God announced the birth of Jesus to the astrologers. However, by means of divine intervention in a dream, they were warned not to report back to wicked King Herod, since he sought to kill Jesus. So "they withdrew to their country by another way."—Matthew 2:11-16.

So, the Scripture doesn't say there were "three" magi, it just says, "After Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, look! astrologers from eastern parts came to Jerusalem" (Matthew 2:1). Nowhere mentions that there were three wise men, it just says they brought three types of gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

[Zhael]

Question:
when they say in attending mass you should look your best for HIM
what does that mean? wear clothes that make you feel good?

Are they referring to a certain dress code like pants and shoes and collared shirt, dresses covering up to the neck and skirts 2-3 inches bellow the knees to ladies

Are they referring to clothes we feel comfortable with hence we feel great with ourselves
or clothing this "church" prescribes?

sakto ka mokiloo. we should look best for HIM. sa ako understanding sa gihatag na dress code sa church para ang mga tawo nisimba dili madistract sa gpangsul.ob sa uban tawon nanimbahay. Og dili sad madistract ang pari. Imbis ang Ginoo ato g.adto lahi naman ato gtan.aw... nindot na tsinelas tag.1K, sexy sinina kita paa

Sagrado ang simbahan na ato respetohan.

[Tucking Fypo]

Yah ang ginoo ang gsimba and dili ang pari diba?

so why the hell should we go to masses if we can worship directly to this "GOD" anywhere?
or why does it have to be "officially" a mass officiated by this pari
and why not count praying inside a church bisan wala'y mass or misa or pari as valid or
good as a mass itself?

same question why you need go to school when you can just read an engineering book if you want to become an engineer.

if you don't know where to start then you won't know where you'll be going.

[cliff_drew]

As much as TS want answers to his doubts, no personal attacks please. Let's maintain healthy discussion and share our thoughts that would help others, not to the extent on forcing them to believe in. You have the right to think and choose sides.

[redhorse1L]

Is the use of icons in worship supported by Bible teachings? Definitely, no but let's took some history how these practices originated.

Exactly!
There is a difference between IDOLATRY and ICONOLATRY.
Between Worship and Veneration.

[Zhael]

As much as TS want answers to his doubts, no personal attacks please. Let's maintain healthy discussion and share our thoughts that would help others, not to the extent on forcing them to believe in. You have the right to think and choose sides.

I agree. Love one another

[SioDenz]

Is there any Difference or contradictions between the Holy tradition of the catholic Church and the Bible?

[mokiloo]

First, you're right that the priest officiated the Mass.
Yes, you can pray anytime and everywhere.

But the Mass is an offering.. The sacrifice on the cross as instituted by Christ during their last supper.
This was prophesized by prophet Malachi. (Mal 1:11)
"For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations," says the LORD of hosts.

And mao sad na gi-command ni Jesus sa iyang disciples during the last supper: "Do this in memory of me"

So, the Mass is what we considered the Highest form of prayer. Since it is like you are warped back to the time of Christ's offering on the Cross.

I was pointing out particularly to this kind of mentality of thought:
"Dili man ang pari ato gsimba kundili ang Ginoo dba? in which also, somewhat, becoming a favorite
retort when it comes to defending, esp the morality of some church officials or priests.

Same ra sa ni approve ka or niingon ka nga OK ra unsa ka sungayan (or literally speaking, horny in english translation hehe) or kurakot and perverted ang person mu officiate this "sacred" or this "highest form of prayer"

Unless you aso would not go by the adage "leadership by example" or "practice what you preach"
or if you want this mass or, as you say "the highest form of prayer" be officiated by these clerics befitting my not so morally flattering descriptions.

"DILI MAN ANG PARI ATO GSIMBA ANG GINOO DBA?"

[cliff_drew]

Religion can't save me. Faith does. mao na akong pov. i can be in any church but I worship the same Being. Why complicate things by asking too many questions about my religion? Religion, for me, is just like naming something you believe in. I don't need to name what I believe in. I opted lan staying as Roman Catholic since mao mai religion sa akong mga elders.

Faith or Religion?

THE implication is that most people who profess religious faith give little thought to why they believe what they do or to whether there is a reasonable basis for their faith. It is no wonder that religion has become a topic that many are reluctant to talk about.

Regrettably, such practices as using religious images and repeating prayers by rote also discourage reasoning. These practices, along with impressive architecture, elaborate stained-glass windows, and captivating music, more or less define the extent of the religious experience of millions. Though some churches claim that their faith is based on the Bible, their message of 'believe in Jesus and you will be saved' makes light of serious Bible study. Others turn to preaching a social or political gospel. What is the result of all of this?

Concerning the situation in North America, one religion writer said: "Christianity . . . tends to be superficial, [and] its adherents are poorly educated in the faith." A pollster even went so far as to describe the United States as "a nation of biblical illiterates." To be fair, these observations would also be true of other countries where so-called Christianity prevails. Many non-Christian religions likewise discourage reasoning and instead emphasize chants, ritualistic prayers, and various forms of meditation that involve mysticism, rather than logical, constructive thinking.

Yet, in their everyday life, the same people who give little thought to the accuracy or truthfulness of their religious beliefs often think other matters through very carefully. Does it not strike you as odd that the person who does extensive research just to buy a car—which one day will end up on the scrap heap—would say regarding his religion, 'If it was good enough for my parents, it's good enough for me'?

If we are truly interested in pleasing God, should we not consider seriously the accuracy of what we believe about him? The apostle Paul spoke of certain religious people of his day who had "a zeal for God; but not according to accurate knowledge." (Romans 10:2) Such ones could be compared to a hired painter who works hard to paint a house but uses the wrong colors because he fails to listen to the owner's instructions. The painter may be pleased with his work, but would it be acceptable to the owner?

What is acceptable to God regarding true worship? The Bible answers: "This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." (1 Timothy 2:3, 4) Some may feel that it is impossible to find such knowledge among the many religions of today. But think—if it is God's will that people should come to an accurate knowledge of truth, would he unfairly conceal it from them? Not according to the Bible, which says: "If you search for [God], he will let himself be found by you."—1 Chronicles 28:9.

Anyone who is serious about his religion should think that it is the right one. Otherwise, why would he or she be involved in it? Christians are admonished: "Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine." (1 Thessalonians 5:21) A person should make sure that his beliefs can be supported by the Scriptures, for there is only one true faith. Ephesians 4:5 confirms this, mentioning "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." Jesus did not agree with the modern, relaxed view that there are many roads, many religions, all leading to salvation. Instead, he said: "Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it." J. W. believe that they have found it. Otherwise, they would look for another religion.—Matthew 7:14.