Catholicism, Virgin mary, Saints...

[Epidemic]

When did it become the practice of praying to the virgin mary, did jesus suggest this was a valid religious practice?

Same goes for saints. where do the saints with special powers come from? Like the saints of health, lost items... You can pray to saint... and poof your keys will appear.

[aldtech]

That stuff has been around for a long time as in hundreds of years. It is a tool that the church has used to assimilate other religions that had deities for specific problems or situations. Some of this goes all the way back to the first days of Christianity. A lot of the religious holidays between some of the major religions are the same as well.



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[Epidemic]

I would think that the catholic church would frown on such things. You might use it as a tool to acquire pagan cultures, but after a few hundred years I would think it would be corrected by edict of the pope.

The praying to mary does not seem to meet the pagan ritual thingy too well. Mary gets relatively little playtime in the bible, yet people pray to her, perhapse more than jesus or god.

[Theophylact]

Seems kind of foolish to be pointing out the "flaws" in somebody else's religion.

Any religion that's been around for a while has a lot of believers who've studied it deeply, and have the fanciest conceivable philosophical rationalizations (or "reasons", if you prefer) for the minutest elements of doctrine and practice, whereas you're not only an outsider, you're a rank amateur.

Richard Feynmann, who was no slouch, said that he had no hope whatsoever of winning an argument with Orthodox Jewish students, because they had a well-documented answer for everything and were at least as smart as he was. My guess is you could say the same for well-educated Catholics.

[Epidemic]

Well that might be but you can shut up now

As you are apparently a rank amature at reading. The question is based upon observation and my obvious lack of knowledge in this arena. Therefore you obnoxious comments do not really add anything to this thread. But thank your for coming.

[RedFury]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epidemic

When did it become the practice of praying to the virgin mary, did jesus suggest this was a valid religious practice?

Same goes for saints. where do the saints with special powers come from? Like the saints of health, lost items... You can pray to saint... and poof your keys will appear.

Never understood that either. Apparently someone must have needed a day off from prayer requests or something, and it just kinda stayed that way

[Theophylact]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epidemic

Well that might be but you can shut up now

As you are apparently a rank amature at reading. The question is based upon observation and my obvious lack of knowledge in this arena. Therefore you obnoxious comments do not really add anything to this thread. But thank your for coming.

I guess you mean the smiley as in "Smile when you say that, pardner."

I can read just fine, thanks.

Your amateur status doesn't excuse your boorishness, and your pretense that you're merely trying to inform yourself doesn't, either. But you are free, of course, to expose yourself as a boor and an ignoramus; enjoy yourself.

Imagine the presence of a smiley if you think it appropriate.

[Epidemic]

OOOOO, we are just in such a snotty mood today are we not. I may be boorish but you are being snide and obnoxious. If you do not like my post then read on elsewhere. Contrary to your analysis (which is flawed) this is a request for enlightenment. What I take from the responses may vary but you my self proclaimed intellectual knower of all that is knowable are not able to determine what I am thinking. So in actuallity you are being the ignoramus your ability to read my mind is really beyond your abilities sir. Get stuffed

PS: I put in the smiley to show you that I am amused by your post. Although I am also somewhat annoyed so here is a frown for you as well.

Perhaps the proper icon for my post would be something akin to this.

I am surprised at the venom you spit at me while amused with your arrogant psychic attempt to know what I am thinking and finally annoyed with your tone and obvious attack on another member / thread crap.

Have a nice day

[sharder8]

Theo --

IMHO, you're way out of line in this thread.

IMHO, Epi has a ligitimate question and is looking for an answer to that question.

The main ways to learn, are by reading and asking questions . . . so if you have the answer or can add some suggested reading to help Epi and others find the answer . . . post them. If you don't have anything constructive to add to the thread . . . don't post.

Harder

[aldtech]

I don't thin Theo's comments where that out of line to be deserving of Epi's reply and Theo's redress, I guess both are on short fuses today. Maybe a Mod should cap this thread and Epi should just start again.

(Genuine smile to communicate an honest thought.)




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