Calling all Catholics, could you please answer a couple questions for me?

Hello Filmbuff, I am not religious. I am however, very spiritual. I was raised Catholic, and still respect much about the faith. I do not submit to all the dogma of Catholicism nor any church. And, where I would typically get all theosophical when discussing historical matters of spirit, I find this discussion very pragmatic. I really think that this saint and Mary issue is quite simple. Maybe it is so, only in my own head. So, I'll explain how it seems to me, and then you can decide if it's really simple and pragmatic at all. Grace is like a dsl filter for your computer. With grace, the communication process is much freer of static and white noise. The saints are in a perpetual state of grace. We are not! So, asking for one who is free of the white noise of temptation, sin, human frailty to intercede on our behalf to present a clearer, most inspired communicae, just makes sense. Why is Mary asked to intercede more than any other saint? Because Mary was God's chosen, most holy human being ever. In addition to being purer of heart from birth, Mary also experienced the addtional infusion of purity as a result of becoming one with God and the Holy Spirit as Jesus grew in her womb. If there was any trace of original sin on Mary before she was impregnated, there certainly wasn't afterward. So again, it just makes sense to seek out the clearest conduit when seeking The Father's guidance, help, or forgiveness. Does that make sense?

I'm a former Catholic, and have debated the very same questions. The best way to look at the saints question is to compare it to someone asking for assistance from a loved one who has passed. Basically, someone who can intercede with God on your behalf. There are no worshiping of saints, they are just people with a title who lived good lives and will help guide others in this world. They are someone to emulate or honor, much like putting wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As for the Mary part. The earliest church debated this topic extensively on how to honor the Mother of God. In many ways, this has developed into a cult of personality. I've never really been able to grasp the full concept; thus, my disillusionment with the Catholic Church. I could never find any authoritative reference putting her above all saints or to the status she enjoys now. Surprisingly, Mary is mentioned in the Koran as well.

Mary is the mother of Jesus in the flesh,meaning Mary is just like you and me and everybody else.Jesus is the Son of God meaning he is a God and he use his body as a vehicle to transform his godhood to manhood.He cannot feel the pain,the suffering, the agony,the emotions in a man if he is sent by his Father in his state of godhood.So Mary is like a tool used by God to conceive Jesus.True Mary is blessed to be the mother of Jesus in the flesh,but that doesn't mean she is to be worship,because that is contradictory to the teachings of Jesus.Saints are people who live a holy life in his days,and only God can declare if a person is a saint or a devil.If you declare a man as a saint,then you are acting as God although you are not a God.That is blasphemy in the eyes of God.Given that a person is a saint like Peter,it is still against the will of God because only God is to be worship,no intercessions or any form of riding.

I am a former Catholic that left the church because they didn't follow God's word. The 10 Commandments clearly forbid the worship of anyone but God. Catholics are taught to pray to Mary and the 'saints' regardless of the bible. They are not taught the bible. Saints are people that the CHURCH has declared as such. Saints are mentioned in the bible but it has nothing to do with what the Catholic church teaches. The Catholic church teaches that Mary is as honored as God himself. They light candles when praying which goes back to the pagan roots of the Roman Catholic religion brought about by Emporer Constantine. You have not offended me. I am assuming you are Jewish since you wrote G-d. I hope I have not offended you by not doing the same.

I'm curious about these things too, and I'm working to find out the answers. I wish you blessings on your search.

It is a form of idolatry to worship Mary or pray to her. I once heard from a Catholic friend that they pray to Mary and the saints to get a different perspective on something or to be heard from a different "personality". But I ask, why do you need a different perspective when God knows all things and can do more than you ask or imagine? Only pray to Him, because He's the only one that can help. Also, about saints, if you are a born again Christian, then you are a saint. So really, everyone that's in Christ is a saint. Not just John or Paul or Peter. I'm a saint according to the Bible. So if you wish to pray to a saint, why not pray to me? See my point? Praying to saints again is pointless and helps nothing. Only the one true God can listen to and answer prayers. Giving your prayers to anyone else is just you talking to yourself with no response.

I was a former Catholic faithful. Like them, I also sincerely believed in the doctrine of Mary and the saints. Well, that was the past. Now, my eyes are already opened to the deception orchestrated by this great Catholic Church. Granted, this church has over a billion members. But numbers is never the basis for the truth. Catholic Church has never been a bible-based church. Its history is full of bloodshed and conspiracy to hide the truth. Praying to Mary and the saints had never been done by the apostles and the early Christians, so why should we do it these days?

I am Catholic in theory. I was raised by my mother to be one, but it seems I didn't listen that much to her words when I was little. Hehehe! Anyway, as some people said before me, the church nominates the saints. There are several rules for people to become a saint, including proofs of miracles the person did. Recently a Brazilian fella became a saint when the Pope visited my country. Besides the miracles, I don't know what is required. About Mary... Well, I have no idea why she is so whorshiped. Sorry. :D