The Sin of Idolatry

I posted exactly how Catholics feel about the statues, pictures, painting, etc.  You can choose to believe they worship these items, or you can choose to believe we appreciate the beauty in them, and we respect and honor them. 

Anything else I would say, as a life-long Catholic, would not mean anything to you.  You know more about Catholicism than a Catholic, so that's fine.  You're quite free to believe what you want.

And it's true, no one knows what Jesus really looked like.  We have ideas of what he may have looked like, and that is what we use in our pictures, statues, etc. 

As a devoted Catholic I can truly tell you that for a Catholic to worship the STATUE would be to deliberately send our souls to hell, as this is a mortal sin in our religion.  How sad that so many really nice, intelligent people choose to believe lies and twist the truth of the Catholic faith.  I would never consider doing such a thing to Islam.  For us to worship any inanimate object is commiting the great sin of blasphemy also.  You do not know the truth about the Catholic doctrine in this matter.

Peace to you.

Dear Mishmish said:

"I was teasing about the Pope. I hope you didn't get offended."

Of course it saddens me when people make jokes about the Holy Father.  Why would you think otherwise?  If I were to joke about Mohammed (which I never would) do you think it might bother you?

The (mainly) Hispanic people believe they see many visions of Mary and some of the Saints.  Mostly it is not accepted as Truth by the Officials of the Catholic Church.  It takes years and years for a vision to be proven as authentic, or not.  Like the little girl who saw Our Lady at Fatima, or the three little children who saw Mary at Madjagori (sp).  But no one can prevent them from saying what they believe they saw.  The priests out of respect will come say a Mass.  Very few "visions" are taken as the truth.....any vision is subjected to years of study before a decision is made as to its authenticity.  These are good people, perhaps a little overzealous, who would really LOVE to see a vision, and (imo) convince themselves that they have.  Is it true?  Only God Himself really knows.

It's no problem, Mishmish.  I know you are a fair and decent person with a good heart.

Peace be with you always.....

Israfil wrote: And I'm not? I assume your comment before the one addressed to Mishmish was addressed to me. In response to your comment I have worked in a Catholic hospital for 6 years. Every single day I had to talk with the fathers and nuns of the Hospital! When I take breaks to pray I came into the chapel with various statues and yes I know the intial thought of Catholics is to respect religious figures of history but one can do that without creating images! one does not need to create an image of the saint Mary (the holy Mother of Jesus) to respect her. You can bow and show respect without having to kneel in front of a statue. Can you not?

Dear Israfil,  Certainly you are a most kind and decent person too.  I just got caught up in the post from Mishmish.  You are one the most kindest and good hearted here on this forum.  Whether you choose to believe it or not is entirely up to you, of course.  But we do NOT worship these pictures, statues, and paintings.  We kneel in front of them because it seems (at least to us) to be more sacred and holy to kneel to pray to God.  We do try to respect and honor the Holy Mother Mary and the Angels and Saints.  Looking at a beautiful picture of them is a way to "feel" closer to them, to "feel" peaceful.  It's like when I look at my tiny granddaughter.  She lives very far away from me, but when I look at her picture, I feel closer to her.  I love her and honor and respect her for the beautiful little human she is.  I DO NOT WORSHIP HER.  I hope you can see the difference.  I have done my best.  And it's utimately your personal decision to believe what you want.  That's what freedom is all about, isn't it?

All God's Peace to You!