Are Catholics Christians?
I know that a lot of different faiths misinterpret what type of things they see in the Catholic church. Sometimes I hear the same arguments below and I wish there was a nice, easy to read, friendly way of showing what is meant by different ways the Catholic church seems to do things.
Then This e-mail came to me!
I received it from a good friend that attends the same church as I do and it is a great example of the type of opinions I've encountered and what is really meant behind the Catholic ways.
Please feel free to pass this on..
http://www.geocities.com/hmattiam/catholic.html
Send any questions or comments to hmattiam@yahoo.com
Hey, Matt -
I need your help here. I put somewhere on the internet that Catholics were Christians and that I was upset that they were always put as seperate catagories. Just today I recieved this bit of email from someone un-named, and I wrote him this reply....I'd like it if you could look it through, correct spelling, give me some helpful criticism, and make sure that it doesn't sound too threatening..and correct me if I was way off...thanks!
Subj: Christian...?
Date: 08/10/2000 3:14:44 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From: [Unamed] (abcd efgh)
To: [GTOchik389@aol.com] ....
You may want to check your own Church doctrine to find out what you really believe! Last time I checked, Christians didn't pray to statues, mother mary, the pope, deceased saints, or dead relatives! I hope the truth of the matter doesn't offend you too much, but better to slap you with the facts than betray you with a kiss...
Here is my reply....so far. I want to make it as non-threatening and knowledgeable as possible...well, with understanding. You know what I mean.
Dear Concerned Citizen:
I realize the misunderstanding that I think may have occured. I don't want you to think that I don't know what I'm talking about, and it's always nice to have more than one view of a situation. And, as you've done me the favour of giving me your view, I'd like to give you mine. I think that's fair, and I don't want this to be threatening, nor do I mean any ill will. I just hope that maybe by reading this email, even if you do keep the views that you have, you'll understand why we think what we do.
The most important issue, I think we'll both agree, is that we both love Jesus. After all, that's the most basic description of Christianity, isn't it? To believe in and love our Lord Jesus, and to spread that love to others. Even if we don't agree on certain aspects of how we go about it, we can still work together to spread the love of God to people who need it, and to each other. Who knows...maybe you'll read this email, write me back, and we'll end up being email buddies. With God, anything is possible.
With that said, I invite you to read on, and learn a little more about our faiths (or at least mine)...
1.) Christians don't pray to statues That's right, Christians don't pray to statues. Neither do Catholic Christians. Statues, like paintings of Jesus, and crosses worn around the neck, are merely reminders and symbols of our faith. Here's another example that the alleged "idolization" can be compared to...say you've lost someone or something close to you, and carry a picture of them with you in your wallet. When you take it out to glance upon it and remember them, I wouldn't consider it worship.
2.) Christians don't pray to "Mother Mary, the Pope..."
That's right again! Christians don't pray to the Virgin Mary, or to Pope John Paul II. In fact, from what (rather extensive) knowledge I have, neither do Catholic Christians! Yes, I'm sure you may know of some who do, or at least appear to, but Catholics also believe in the Commandments, and praying to a false God is most definately wrong. Once again, Mary and the Pope are symbols of faith, are ordinary people that we as Christians can look for a good example from. Mary was the most blessed of all females - I would say that's a good role model. When people pray the "Hail Mary," it is often taken that they are praying to Mary, when is actuallity, they are asking Mary to pray for them. The Pope is (from what I hear) rather knowledgeable about Christianity - yet another good person to seek guidance from, through physical contact, reading, second hand. I have never in my life heard of someone who prayed to the Pope.
3.) Christians don't pray to deseased* saints, or dead relatives You are very smart indeed. Christians don't pray to saints, or dead relatives. Nor do Catholic Christians. The reasons I can give you for this misunderstanding are twofold. A. Much the same reason as for Mary - saints are good role models. Although the supreme and perfect role model would be Jesus, saints are not only a little more realistic, but they have different personalities, different traits. I do not know of any person other than the Son of God who could be exactly like the Son of God, because God did make each person different and unique. Therefore, it would only make sense (to me, at least) that modeling your life towards not only Jesus, but someone who could give you good ideas about how to conduct your individual life, would be a good idea. B. This also compares to the example in #1. Do you ever talk to yourself? Do you ever think? A thought in itself is like a little prayer. Has someone near to you ever died? A relative, a best friend, a mentor? Keeping them alive in your heart is sometimes the best idea in the world...when you remember them, it's a thought, a little prayer. When you wonder how they are doing in their new life, it's a thought, like a little prayer. Maybe even sometimes you talk to them in your mind, imagine their answers...it's like a prayer, but it ISN'T a "prayer." It's an image...it's hope that God will relay your message to them in their Heavenly resting place. I do not know of anyone who would put a relative or friend in the place of God.
*"deceased" saints: To my knowledge, all saints are deceased. People aren't cannonized (the decree that makes them a saint) until a certian number of years after their death and a long process of thought, deliberation, etc., amongst the Clergy.
Next time you decide to generalize and stereotype, it would serve you well to aim your insults at someone who doesn't know what they are talking about.
You Sister in Christ - Kelly Brianne Teresa C.
That's all...it's really long...it wasn't that long to begin with, but I had to add multiple examples (suggested by friends like Jamie Weiss and John Jones) and the beginning paragraphs so as not to to offend anyone.
Posted Online: August 12, 2000
Copyright Info