My Catholic Cousin

[Tristen]

I think you first have to establish in your own mind that respect for faith goes both ways - meaning that, whilst you are trying to be understanding towards your cousin's faith, your cousin should also understand that prayer to Mary is not scriptural, and therefore not admonished in your (presumably) Protestant faith.

So I would let your cousin know that you will be praying to God, your heavenly "Abba" Father.

When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He gave us "The Lord's Prayer" as an example - which addresses God directly (i.e. "Our Father in heaven" - Matthew 6:9-13). Catholics should be very familiar with this as they pray "The Lord's Prayer" during every mass. So hopefully, it will not be an issue of contention.

 

[Guest]

58 minutes ago, Tristen said:

I think you first have to establish in your own mind that respect for faith goes both ways - meaning that, whilst you are trying to be understanding towards your cousin's faith, your cousin should also understand that prayer to Mary is not scriptural, and therefore not admonished in your (presumably) Protestant faith.

So I would let your cousin know that you will be praying to God, your heavenly "Abba" Father.

When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He gave us "The Lord's Prayer" as an example - which addresses God directly (i.e. "Our Father in heaven" - Matthew 6:9-13). Catholics should be very familiar with this as they pray "The Lord's Prayer" during every mass. So hopefully, it will not be an issue of contention.

As a former Roman Catholic, I was ostracized from my family when I became a "Protestant".  I was written out of my mothers will and have not seen or spoken to my sister in over a decade.  My sister's atheist husband is accepted.

Edited August 8, 2020 by Saved.One.by.Grace

[Sower]

14 hours ago, LadyKay said:

I just wonder what are your thoughts on this and if there are any Catholics here or even people who use to be Catholic could explain this teaching to me. I do not wish for this to become a bashing of any's religions teachings. Just a mature discussion  and understanding.  

As an ex 30yr catholic, that loves all catholics and will share the gospel with them,
I learned to not attack their catholic 'holy mother church', or their virgin Mary. Their ears will shut down.
I will ask them if they have heard the gospel. The good news. Explain how I never heard it in the RCC.
Most have no idea that you have to be born again to enter heaven. Not their catholic confirmation that is taught.
I explain the simple gospel, the Roman road, and explain infant baptism and confirmation is not being born again.
In the RCC, it is sin of 'presumption' to believe you are saved, to presume upon God you are good enough to merit eternal life.
With their church loosing members with the popularity/understanding of grace salvation, they changed to grace also decades ago..
But there is no assurance, as you can violate many church doctrines (mortal sin) and be then destined to hell (church dogma)
I just plant as many seeds as possible, and keep a respective dialog going for hopeful future conversations.
 

 

[Daniel Marsh]

On 8/7/2020 at 9:50 AM, LadyKay said:

I stay in touch with my far away family through FB.  My cousin became Catholic. None of us were raised in that religion so I say "became".  Anyway, the other day she posted on FB asking us to pray to the Mother Mary to help her sister in a financial matter. She explain it to us  how this works as she knows we are not Catholic. She said that Mary being the mother of Jesus. That if we ask Mary that Jesus listens to her because Mary is his mother. She then posted the prayer to the Virgin Mary.  I found this all to be a bit questionable. Nowhere do I see in the Bible dose it instruct us to speak to Mary the mother of Jesus. Or that Jesus has to answer these prayers because he must obey his mother.  I just wonder what are your thoughts on this and if there are any Catholics here or even people who use to be Catholic could explain this teaching to me. I do not wish for this to become a bashing of any's religions teachings. Just a mature discussion  and understanding.  

Educated Catholics today say they pray with other saints just like we on earth pray together.

I think they use Hebrews 12  "crowd of witnesses" to say those in Heaven can see us.

Problem is,  Mary is not omnipresent and is still a creature like all of us.   There is logically no way she can hear everyone's prayers, nor understand those in a language she does not speak.    It is possible that angels who visit Heaven daily could make a side visit to inform your love ones about you.    Book of Job.   I cor 11

Why pray with someone who can not hear you?   We have both the Holy Spirit and Jesus praying for us.  Romans 8

Many Catholics I know, do not pray with/to Mary.

 

 

 

[creativemechanic]

And that shecstayed a virgin til death....despite Jesus  having brothwrs and sisters

[Guest]

I do not understand either. Why pray to Mary or any saints. Jesus gives us direct access to Himself. I pray to the Holy Trinity. I say 'Dear Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit, please hear my prayers...' Then i say what i say. I hope i am doing it right? 

I do believe God makes allowances as long as our hearts and attitude is humble and pure. He already knows all about whatever we are praying but we must ask for His help before He can act. 

To me Mary was simply the way for Jesus to come into this world. She was the means. To be respected but no more. She and Joseph were necessary. I would not dream of praying to her. But Catholics have their ways. 

 

 

[Guest]

On 8/16/2020 at 1:25 AM, creativemechanic said:

And that shecstayed a virgin til death....despite Jesus  having brothwrs and sisters

This is obvious. Christ had a large family of siblings and quite right. Mary was a pure virgin for His birth, afterwards she went on to have more children. No reason not to. To assume she was a virgin thereafter is not logic nor fact. Clearly in the Bible. 

Edited August 17, 2020 by Melinda12

[Guest]

On 8/8/2020 at 5:11 AM, Sower said:

As an ex 30yr catholic, that loves all catholics and will share the gospel with them,
I learned to not attack their catholic 'holy mother church', or their virgin Mary. Their ears will shut down.
I will ask them if they have heard the gospel. The good news. Explain how I never heard it in the RCC.
Most have no idea that you have to be born again to enter heaven. Not their catholic confirmation that is taught.
I explain the simple gospel, the Roman road, and explain infant baptism and confirmation is not being born again.
In the RCC, it is sin of 'presumption' to believe you are saved, to presume upon God you are good enough to merit eternal life.
With their church loosing members with the popularity/understanding of grace salvation, they changed to grace also decades ago..
But there is no assurance, as you can violate many church doctrines (mortal sin) and be then destined to hell (church dogma)
I just plant as many seeds as possible, and keep a respective dialog going for hopeful future conversations.
 

 

It is so clear in the Bible. Nicodemus' conversation with Jesus about being born again. Also no need for all the guilt Catholicism punishes people with. It is a mystery to me - are Catholics reading the same Bible? Once one is a believer, having repented, there is no condemnation. Though the Devil tries to make us feel guilt, we belong to Christ and are protected always. How brilliant is that! 

[Guest]

On 8/16/2020 at 1:25 AM, creativemechanic said:

And that shecstayed a virgin til death....despite Jesus  having brothwrs and sisters

Patently not true. 

[Guest]

On 8/8/2020 at 3:43 AM, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

As a former Roman Catholic, I was ostracized from my family when I became a "Protestant".  I was written out of my mothers will and have not seen or spoken to my sister in over a decade.  My sister's atheist husband is accepted.

Wow! You have been treated so unfairly. How hurtful. I cannot understand this brainwashed aspect of Catholics. Neither logic nor love is at it's base. 

Catholicism has a lot of good to teach, despite the rigidity of their numerous rules. I love the writings of Thomas a Kempis for instance, on humility. But the way many Catholics act towards any dissenters even in their own families is beyond belief. To be punished as you have - achieves nothing good. I am sorry for the pain you have endured.