Top Ten Misconceptions About Catholics -- Part 1

Part 1: Some people mistakenly believe that Catholics...
1. Worship Mary and the Saints
2. Work Their Way to Heaven
3. Worship Bread
4. Commit Idolatry
5. Don't Accept Jesus Into Their Hearts
This video explains why these ideas are wrong. Even if you don't agree with a Catholic practice, PLEASE learn about it before you label it as something that it's not.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Apologetics
• Misconceptions
• Catholics
• Mary
• Saints
• Works
• Worship
• Bread
• Idols
• Saved
• Accept
• Jesus
• Heart
• Eternal
• Security

[DovefromGod]

@kickdrum182 I have a question. Why is it that the Catholics churches have the American flag in them (Most even have the gold-fringed flag)? I will NEVER enter a church, protestant or Catholic that has an American flag in it. This nation has murdered 54 Million innocent babies. I'll become Catholic when Pope Benedict forces all nations to get the flag out! What boundaries does Catholicism have on this earth? NONE! (I'm looking to become Catholic but won't yet until the country's flag is out).

[kickdrum182]

@DovefromGod - That's a very good question, and I don't have an easy answer. I'm pretty sure that there is *not* any norm which requires a flag inside of the church, but then again I don't know of any norm restricting their usage either (other than "Environment and Art in Catholic Worship" n. 101, which advises use on only "special holidays").

[kickdrum182]

@DovefromGod - Catholic theologians like Michael Baxter would agree with you - there is much about the USA (e.g. Roe v. Wade) inimical to Catholic teaching, and so giving prominent place, especially within the sanctuary, to a symbol of that country ought to give us pause. But given that Catholic bishops regularly speak out about unchristian things in US culture (like abortion), one can't take the (perhaps ill-advised) presence of the flag to be a wholesale endorsement of all things "American."

[DovefromGod]

@kickdrum182 I sort of see what you're saying here. However, I must say that abortion is just one issue I can't even begin to imagine how awful it must be in God's eyes. Take for example, we allow divorce+remarriage but that is a single sin. Abortion is like a network of sins that I know comes from the pit of hell. I would rather give thanks to the priests in person for what they do than "Pledge allegiance to the flag" that represents 54 million dead and counting.

[kickdrum182]

@DovefromGod Abortion is an awful reality, and thankfully Catholics are working to stop it by both speaking out against its legal status and by establishing hundreds of crisis pregnancy centers to assist struggling mothers-to-be. I agree that symbols (like the flag) are powerful things (even if we never "pledge allegiance" to it at Mass), and it probably shouldn't be in the sanctuary. But I think this is a matter of *consistency* rather than a lack of Catholic resolve against abortion.

[SSmithProductions]

QUESTION: When one prays to Mary, isn't that giving Mary attributes of GOD? Mary cannot hear everyone that prays to her at the same time like GOD, right? Praying to Mary is like calling Mary omnipresent...that's a feature of GOD only.

I would appreciate a response.

[kickdrum182]

@SSmithProductions - great question. No human (incl. Mary) becomes an equal with God by gaining all of God's attributes - rather, the blessed of heaven participate in God's life (1Pet 1:4). Moreover, as Rahner said, death is not simply "changing horses" - we are glorified and changed in the next world. This radically new existence, glorified and in God's life, can account for Rev 5:8, which Catholics traditionally interpret to mean the saints are aware of (and relaying) our prayers on earth.

[2853787]

It is good to know that there are people who will defend my faith. The video is very concise and respectful of everyone.

It can get a little tough when so many scorn you for things that aren't even true. Thank you for putting this up and confronting those things.

[pbaylis1]

@thinkerj

I'm amazed that people who claim to base everything on the bible fail to acknowledge what the bible actually says time and time again. It is not WE who say that works are an essential part of salvation. IT IS THE BIBLE which says it. It is PAUL who says we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Works are not fruits of salvation. How many people do you know who become instant saints on accepting Christ? It doesn't work in real life, it's not spiritual and not biblical.

[DovefromGod]

@kickdrum182 OK, thank you for responding.

[bheadh]

Another thing our "protesting" freinds might want to consider is the parallels in The Passover and Jesus' life. God commanded Moses to take an "Unblemished Lamb" , "Sacrifice It"..(There can be no salvation without the sheding of blood) "sprinkle the blood on the doorposts (Christs saving blood opens the "doorposts" of our hearts) They were then commanded to EAT the sacrificed Lamb. Many belivers "fell away" because "this is a hard saying" It is most important teaching of Jesus. "I will be with

[danilusable]

Mary is already with God in heaven. She is the mother of Jesus! There is no impossible when u are already in heaven. Mary had given the title Hyper Dulia means high veneration, she had a unique characteristic because she 's special . Well, BTW, we have our different style of veneration, so don't judge catholics, the intention is the most important! :D