Why?

[WIP]

You could see this as a positive. Catholic parents don't get obsessive , controlling or too zealous. I can see positives in not taking the Bible too seriously for example.

I don't think it is unique to Catholic parents. But can you be more specific about the positives?

Scripture says we are to pray without ceasing and love God with all our heart, all our mind, all our soul, and all our strength. Sure sounds like taking God for granted or flippantly is not a good thing.

 

[humble soul]

But can you be more specific about the positives?

I've seen a lot of damage done to kids with an evangelical upbringing. Taught to be dogmatic from such a young age, and not question the Bible, can lead to rebellion later on. In fact they often become atheists.
I don't say an apathetic Catholic upbringing is perfect either. But preferable in my opinion. More chance of them having an open mind, imo.

 

[jasonc]

I've seen a lot of damage done to kids with an evangelical upbringing. Taught to be dogmatic from such a young age, and not question the Bible, can lead to rebellion later on. In fact they often become atheists.
I don't say an apathetic Catholic upbringing is perfect either. But preferable in my opinion. More chance of them having an open mind, imo.

open minded as a concept doesn't exist
humans aren't machines and have biases .truth is findable and searchable otherwise it wouldnt exist .

 

[jasonc]

the truth is nothing is certain ,is that certain is a logical conclusion?

 

[WIP]

I've seen a lot of damage done to kids with an evangelical upbringing. Taught to be dogmatic from such a young age, and not question the Bible, can lead to rebellion later on. In fact they often become atheists.
I don't say an apathetic Catholic upbringing is perfect either. But preferable in my opinion. More chance of them having an open mind, imo.

I don't know if it is appropriate to question the Bible necessarily. Ask questions to better understand it, yes, but to question its inerrancy is something entirely different. If one doesn't believe any one part, how can one believe the rest?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

 

[humble soul]

. If one doesn't believe any one part, how can one believe the rest?

Do you apply this all or nothing thinking to everything?
I don't believe doctors have all the answers....ok that might be an unfair analogy but still. I don't see that God minds we challenge even Him. " Lord , I can't understand why your Bible seems to dismiss the gay community" can you please explain? Or maybe you didn't mean that exactly....
God is big enough and merciful enough. He's not an authoritarian control freak.

 

[WIP]

Do you apply this all or nothing thinking to everything?
I don't believe doctors have all the answers....ok that might be an unfair analogy but still. I don't see that God minds we challenge even Him. " Lord , I can't understand why your Bible seems to dismiss the gay community" can you please explain? Or maybe you didn't mean that exactly....
God is big enough and merciful enough. He's not an authoritarian control freak.

No, I do not take that same approach with everything. For one thing, when it comes to mankind we are not infallible. But, when it comes to God, there's no error.

The questions such as those you present here are not questioning the Bible or God's Word but just asking for clarity. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. In fact, we are instructed by Scripture to test the spirits. By reading, studying, and meditating on Scripture daily we gain more insight. I personally believe God gives us what we need to know when we need to know it. I don't think our brains could handle the whole truth in one application.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;
1 John 4:1 NKJV

God's word (Scriptures) are provided to help us along that path.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 NKJV

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

I'm sorry WIP.....
EVERY Catholic church as a statue of Jesus on the cross above the altar.
Also there are imagers of Mary and/or statues in the older churches...
the newer ones have maybe a stature that is out of the way, or at least, not very noticeable.
When I was growing up in a catholic church in NY there were statues all over the place...
of different saints. That is still true h ere in t he older churches.
The church I mentioned before that put all the statues in the back room, out of sight,
even h ad one of St. Padre Pio who is a very recent saint.

It's the same h ere.

St. Anthony holding the baby Jesus.
That was my favorite.

 

[GodsGrace]

St. Anthony holding the baby Jesus.
That was my favorite.

Well, I STILL don't understand that one.
First of all I was totally confused at an early age.

I thought there were many Mary's due to the fact that there was:
St. Mary of Lourdes
St. Mary of Fatima
St. Mary of Guadalupe
etc
etc

Then I wondered if, at Christmas time, Jesus was born anew since it was so celebrated.
Then I always thought St. Anthony was His father since it was Anthony holding Him as a baby.
Come to find out they weren't even related!

What a mess.
My parents didn't help any either.
We just never spoke about God.

But I'm making up for it now!!

 

[Walpole]

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like the objection to the use of statues stems from iconoclastic prejudices.

I just find it odd that iconoclasm is paused during Christmas time, in which case those who oppose icons and statues make an exception for their own use of them, whether that be in the form of Santa Claus or a nativity set.

 

[WIP]

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like the objection to the use of statues stems from iconoclastic prejudices.

I just find it odd that iconoclasm is paused during Christmas time, in which case those who oppose icons and statues make an exception for their own use of them, whether that be in the form of Santa Claus or a nativity set.

Just goes to show how hypocritical we can be.

 

[jasonc]

the puritans didn't and didn't celebrate Christmas

 

[Walpole]

Just goes to show how hypocritical we can be.

Very true. It must be in our nature.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Wha?
We have a hypocrit amoung us?
Stone him!!

 

[GodsGrace]

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like the objection to the use of statues stems from iconoclastic prejudices.

I just find it odd that iconoclasm is paused during Christmas time, in which case those who oppose icons and statues make an exception for their own use of them, whether that be in the form of Santa Claus or a nativity set.

Good observation!
Personally, I think it's much ado about nothing.
If you've been to Europe all this talk will wither into nothing.

The churches have colored windows that tell the stories in the bible.
There are paintings all over about biblical stories/theology, etc. because
that's what was painted before the renaissance, and during.

People were poor and did not own books....even after they were available.
Also, the church had forbidden lay persons to read the bible, so pictures,
paintings, church windows, etc. is all they had in order to learn about their faith.

The reformation, of course, had to be the opposite of everything Catholic,,,thus
the image rules.

Statues are not worshipped, but only who they represent.
And, I must say, the CC is trying to get away from adoration of saints.

 

[Walpole]

Good observation!
Personally, I think it's much ado about nothing.
If you've been to Europe all this talk will wither into nothing.

The churches have colored windows that tell the stories in the bible.
There are paintings all over about biblical stories/theology, etc. because
that's what was painted before the renaissance, and during.

People were poor and did not own books....even after they were available.
Also, the church had forbidden lay persons to read the bible, so pictures,
paintings, church windows, etc. is all they had in order to learn about their faith.

The reformation, of course, had to be the opposite of everything Catholic,,,thus
the image rules.

Statues are not worshipped, but only who they represent.
And, I must say, the CC is trying to get away from adoration of saints.

Most iconoclasts will quote Exodus 20:4-5, often completely out of context, as support for their position.

 

[GodsGrace]

Most iconoclasts will quote Exodus 20:4-5, often completely out of context, as support for their position.

Right.
Exodus 20:4-5 uses the words IDOL and WORSHIP.

In those days people WERE worshipping gods....
some nations had a god for everything.

Our God was trying to teach persons that there is only ONE GOD.
When they built the golden calf,,,they WORHSIPED it.

Jesus left us the Shroud --- I THINK it's real.
Did Jesus make a mistake in leaving an image??
I don't think so.

 

[jasonc]

I'm sure it wasnt possibe that any church can go south .

people never take doctrines too far .

we have hyper Calvinists ,a hyper Arminism (sinless perfectionism).

we have persons who teach in church that one can speak in their given toungues without interpretation
cessianiolist
apostolic beliefs where that office is still active
older reformed churches use stain glass .

 

[GodsGrace]

I'm sure it wasnt possibe that any church can go south .

people never take doctrines too far .

we have hyper Calvinists ,a hyper Arminism (sinless perfectionism).

we have persons who teach in church that one can speak in their given toungues without interpretation
cessianiolist
apostolic beliefs where that office is still active
older reformed churches use stain glass .

Jason,,,this is why I like to read the Early Church Fathers.
Some tell me they were not inspired...
Is John Piper inspired?
Is the Pope inspired?
Is Jimmy Swaggart Inspired?

Not only are they not inspired...
they didn't even know the Apostles to be able to speak to them!

I hear a different God being preached on this forum and am very
upset by it. There is only ONE GOD.
He should be the same God for all of us...
instead He is totally different to some folk.

 

[jasonc]

Jason,,,this is why I like to read the Early Church Fathers.
Some tell me they were not inspired...
Is John Piper inspired?
Is the Pope inspired?
Is Jimmy Swaggart Inspired?

Not only are they not inspired...
they didn't even know the Apostles to be able to speak to them!

I hear a different God being preached on this forum and am very
upset by it. There is only ONE GOD.
He should be the same God for all of us...
instead He is totally different to some folk.

oh try going to pentacostal to cessionist .

the Holy Spirit is viewed a bit different .

I prefer the reformed over the Catholic or Greek orothodox .

they are too rigid and I take issue with the large land one parish owns near it