why do catholics worship Mary?
104557
Because they don't have a clew mary can't intercede on anyone's behalf either only jesus can do that Catholics fix the bible to suit there own needs hale mary full of grace? whats that Jesus said pray like this our father who art in heaven you know the rest
565271
We, as Catholics, refer to the Church as a her due to the nurturing that is to take place within the confines of the church.  Just like a mother, we learn from her and put what she teaches us into our everyday life.  We also believe that Mary, the virgin, was the mother of God and the mother of the Church which was founded by Jesus during his time on earth.  Does that help?
539441
Good thoughts.  I think we protestants under value Mary.  Much of what you are referring to is ignorance about what Catholics truly believe about Mary, prayer and the saints.
458142
I don't know where you get your information from.  You have been misinformed.  There are some so called "Catholics" that are misguided, as well as many others.  I was raised and taught in Catholic schools.  Not once, did anyone ever suggest praising statues or worshiping anyone or anything other than (Jesus, Holy Spirit & the Father) Holy trinity = one God.  We believe in offering prayers for loved ones, and we believe that the Staints offer they're prayers for the living.  But if someone was to assume that Catholics are taught to worship anyone or anything other than God, they are sadly mistaken.  Statues, pictures, etc... are reminders of who are good examples of how to live as Christ did.  Just like having pictures of your children.  The pictures are NOT your children, but an image of your children.  you would feed, clothe or talk to the picture.  Being Cathoilic does not mean that you are out of touch with reality.
284421
I WAS RAISED CATHOLIC WENT TO A CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOR EIGHT YEARS. THE ENTIRE TIME I WENT TO SCHOOL AND YEARS BEFORE THAT ,EVERY MAY, WE HAD WHAT WAS CALLED" THE MAY CROWNING"  EVERY CLASS FROM FIRST THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE HAD THEIR OWN SPECIAL SONG THAT THEY SANG TO MARY ABOUT HER, THEN WHEN ALL THE CLASSES WERE IN THEIR PLACE IN CHURCH, BOYS WOULD CARRY A STATUE OF MARY SURROUNDED BY FLOWERS, ON SOME KIND OF PLATFORM, TO THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH, THEN A GIRL FROM THE EIGTH GRADE WOULD GO UP TO HER AND PLACE A CROWN UPON HER HEAD. THEN THERE WOULD BE MORE SONGS OF WORSHIP. IF THIS IS NOT WORSHIP, THEN WHAT IS IT?\nIT IS WRONG! THERE IS NO PLACE IN SCRIPTURE THAT SUPPORTS PURGATORY EITHER.
930114
True Christians do not revere (to regard somebody with admiration and deep respect) Mary, the mother of Jesus and the Apostles. Christians don't pray to Mary nor the saints. They do not believe in praying to the images of Mary and the saints.\n\nTrue Christians directly pray to God through Jesus Christ. \nCatholics believe that they have to go thru purgatory first before going to heaven. Catholics believe that when you pray for the dead, they will have a 2nd chance to get to heaven by being cleansed in the purgatory. Catholics do not have the faith that Jesus is the only ONE they need to get to heaven.\n\nChristians believe that when they accepted Jesus Christ, confess their sins and truly repented from their sins, they believe that they will go straight to heaven.
578978
To april_hwth: Catholics don't pray to popes and saints as an end. They pray to saints to intercede on their behalf to God since they are already in heaven and can effectively communicate with God. Catholics can also pray directly to God, if they so choose. \n\nThe Rosary is one type of prayer asking the Virgin Mary (who is a saint) to intercede to her son Jesus on behalf of the person. It is not the only prayer that Catholics employ, but it is one of the more popular ones.\n\nAnd Catholics believe that faith is not enough to get to heaven. You should do all you can to do good works and help others because you'll find Jesus while doing good works. Faith without good works is dead. What are you supposed to do, just keep believing in Jesus and not do anything good? Is that fair for the people who spend their entire life doing good? Will they get the same reward as someone who honestly believes in Christ but does nothing good? Even Jesus did good things...and all Christians should do their best to emulate that good example, which does include good works.
746277
as a catholic seriously confused with his religion and life...i would not worship God if there was no heaven. the reason i wouldnt worship Him is because if there is no heaven he doesnt exist. everything that i was FORCED FED as a child would end up being the biggest pile of $hit ever read and believed.
879613
Through prayer, Catholics are able to do many things. Some of these are as follows:\n\nAsk God for providing them for their daily needs\nAsk God forgiving their sins\nThank God for providing them with their needs or answering their prayer\nAsk God for Guidance/Help/Support\n\nThe above list can also be made in church or during catholic mass as you queried. During a mass there is a time where they are asked to pray for their personal intentions.\n\nTo summarize, praying and attending a mass makes it clear that Catholics believes that there is a Loving God that provides for his people, that heeds peoples requests and even forgives them when they are at fault.
895100
Nope, He does't appreciate it! Jesus honored His mother, why shouldn't we? He said to imitate Him! Dishonoring His holy mother is not imitating Him! I don't get why they think we worship Mary when we tell them over and over again that we don't! \nWe pray to her because she is much closer to God than we are. If you can ask you friend to pray for you, why wouldn't you ask her to pray for you? She is the holiest person that ever lived!
93643
Catholicism is a religion of idol worship.  The Bible does not support worshipping or praying to Mary.  She was a human being like all of us.
507883
If you want to ask for forgiveness direct from GOD through Jesus Christ, then be a Christian not a Catholic because a catholic's sins are forgiven through the pope or father of the Catholic Church. Catholics worship saints and idols like Virgin Mary and so on, whereas Christian worship only God in Jesus Christ. Those are just some of the many differences between Christians and Catholics.Pick your choice wisely.... If I'm wrong, do correct me.May God Bless you.
458034
i am catholic but i believe most of what you said especially the end part. people trust catholicism for the same reason they trust any other religion (i don't know why i follow the religion i am just guided) people use religion because they have weak minds and hearts. there is nothing wrong with this but religion gives them somethin to hold onto. someone in history i believe it was Marx or Stalin said the church was the "opiate of the masses"
848804
I keep saying it's jealousy. We have the Mother the Father loves best. The Blessed Virgin Mary. Just like Josephs brothers were jealous of him our brothers and sisters in Christ are jealous of us and the wonderful things the Lord has given to us. If they only understood though that those that have been given much, much is expected, they would not say the things they do because many a Catholic offers up their pain and suffering and death not only for their own sins but, as a member of the Body of Christ -- the sins of these people who deny they are Christian. Didn't St. Paul say "I make up in my body's suffering for what is lacking in the suffering of Christ?". And also Romans 8:17\n\nFor other denominations Holy Communion is just a symbol but, not for Catholics because our Magisterium has the ordination to consecrate the bread and wine into his ACTUAL Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Didn't Joseph tell his brothers that he wanted Benjamin left with him and didn't Jesus say he wanted John to remain forever? This is the same thing. John the youngest brother of Jesus who stood beneath the cross with Mary Jesus Mother-- just like the Catholics do at every Mass. The other denominations looked on from a distance it says but, the Catholics are there!!
630236
catholics are christians
43352
You are perverting the Scriptures... Mary died and she is in Paradise.  She can't come back and appear to anyone.  The one who is giving these messages, etc is a deceiving spirit.  your "blessed mother" as you call her/him is Ashtoreth... Ashtoreth was called "mother" or "queen of heaven."  You are deceived... haven't you been told this before???\n\nIn the Name of Jesus of Nazareth... stop deceiving the peoples!  Stop this foolishness and repent of this sin.\n\nFor I tell you... if anyone preaches a different Gospel other than the one preached by the true Apostles... they are eternally condemned.  \n\nTherefore... I appeal to you... stop this!\n\n--- Edited:\n\nPeople don't need Mary... they need Jesus.  I don't need Mary to speak to me.  I need the Spirit of Jesus... the Spirit of God is the Wonderful Counselor... not Mary.  And indeed the Spirit of Jesus is my Counselor.\n\nAgain... you are mixing what is holy... with the profane.  \n\nGod will judge you for this.\n\n--- For Catholic 16:\n\nI am not a protestant... I am of 'the Way'...\nCatholicism is full of errors.\n\n--- Edit:\n\nI have tested you... your fruit is bad.\n\nCatholicism mixes what is profane... with what is holy.\nCatholicism is spiritual adultery... of course Catholicism hides behind Jesus... nevertheless, it causes people to commit adultery with the devil and his minions!\n\nCatholicism is hallow and deceptive.  Outwardly it looks Christian... inwardly its not.  Catholicism is like a white washed tombstone... on the inside?? dead men's bones.\n\nChristians should come out from Catholicism and be true to God!  Catholicism is a Harlot.\n\n--- Edit:\n\nI am a Prophetess... the Spirit of Jesus agrees that Catholicism is a Harlot.  I call Catholicism a Harlot because God says that it is.  You mix what is holy... with what is profane.  Mary has appeared to no one, but instead... a fallen angel.  \n\nTurn from your wayward ways and repent!  I speak the truth... Catholicism and fallen angels are deceiving you.\n\nWhy do you think that mixing what is holy with the profane is okay?  Did the rebellious Jews get away with it?  no, they did not.  Repent of your sins!
787729
Thank you, first of all, for understanding the difference between prayer and worship.  As for whether or not this still takes away from the glory of God, I would say no.  While they were alive, people asked the apostles and the saints to pray for them or to help them.  That does not go against the glory of God.  Catholics are just continuing this practice once these people are dead and in the presence of God.