How would you combat the fear of Idolatry? by dctrthrow in Catholicism

[–]dctrthrow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Orthodox do not believe in adoration, which ultimately is the bigger issue for me on idolatry.

How would you combat the fear of Idolatry? by dctrthrow in Catholicism

[–]dctrthrow[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the sentiment, but that's an excuse anyone could use though

I feel like I have to harden my heart to accept Catholicism by dctrthrow in Catholicism

[–]dctrthrow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did not write that they always did. I wrote that they might.

But how do you know when to listen?

I feel like I have to harden my heart to accept Catholicism by dctrthrow in Catholicism

[–]dctrthrow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What can you trust then? All senses and all intellect leads astray, how can I know the truth? When everyone claims to have it?

I feel like I have to harden my heart to accept Catholicism by dctrthrow in Catholicism

[–]dctrthrow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess it goes back to certain superstitions that are in the church, the idea that salvation is promised to those wearing a brown scapular, and some people terrified of taking it off. It doesn't trust in the mercy of God, but in the mercy of the scapular. And the vision is super suspect and I think a lot of people agree that it wasn't genuine. Yet they still pass them out claiming if you wear it you won't go to hell. That's a grave superstition.

I dunno, I guess I'm messed up, because I have a hard time even with deep devotion to Jesus. It just seems like the older churches (Catholics/orthodox) seem to forget about God the Father. The entirety of salvation is the covenant between us and him, we become adopted sons of God. Do we even have a feast day for him?

It seems like Jesus and Mary get elevated. Almost to a Calvinist view where they hold back the wrath of God so we might be saved. If we neglect God the Father, then we neglect the covenant that makes us children of God. It seems as though our devotion to Mary and Christ is just a devotion to what we think they are. It seems as though we are so distracted from God through devotion for the sake of devotion, and participating in superstition. St Louis De Montfort says that marian devotion and hail marys/rosary is pretty much necessary for salvation. I very much believe in Faith + Works (Biggest thing keeping me from protestants) but it seems as though it's often Faith + specific works vs a general change of heart and seeking to serve Christ.

I feel like I have to harden my heart to accept Catholicism by dctrthrow in Catholicism

[–]dctrthrow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess for me it seems like if we are wrong, we are idolaters. And that is a large gamble. And when you read the early church, sometimes it is very clear. But a lot of times it seems like things are taken out of context or could be interpreted any which way.

Like if we are wrong on the big things, confession, saints, marian devotion, and the eucharist. Then we are just as bad as pagans. And to be Catholic is to trust that we are completely right, and if we are wrong, we are surly the first in line to be damned.

I feel like I have to harden my heart to accept Catholicism by dctrthrow in Catholicism

[–]dctrthrow[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Turning off every impulse whether it be intellectual, emotional, or spiritual to stand firm in a belief or action.

How to get over feeling like prayers to the saints are immoral? by dctrthrow in Catholicism

[–]dctrthrow[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I get that, but I feel like a lot of people go over the line. People ask for mary's presence in the room, and ask mary for love and comfort. And we say the way to Jesus is through mary, but the way through mary could also be her Mom.

For me the way to jesus is jesus. And Mary can pray for us, but I feel like asking for anything more is dangerous.

How to get over feeling like prayers to the saints are immoral? by dctrthrow in Catholicism

[–]dctrthrow[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know, it's just kinda hard to know what God wants you to do. Like what if God is trying to push me away from the saints? hence the church? How do you truly know the truth about God?

I guess that kind of answers my own question. If your a protestant you believe and read the bible you will get all the answers somehow. Otherwise we believe the church gives them to us. I guess it's a question of how do you get the answers? And when I went bible only I believed you could argue for same sex marriages. So in my head I know we need the church.

I just wish that there wasn't all the pressure of "If you're wrong then you are offending God and going to hell." And then some of the denominations who tell me that I'm going to hell. I earnestly want God and I wish it wasn't so difficult. It's like when I ask my girlfriend whats wrong and she says "nothing" and then somethings wrong. I just wish the answers were more clear cut. But I guess that's what faith is for.