Why Do Catholics Say That? Part 1

Common Hang-Ups With the Catholic Faith…below is a possible exchange based on a real exchange I’ve had. This will cover just a fraction of the misconceptions about the Catholic Faith and provide some answers and give some examples of responses to the inquiries.

“I am a searcher of the truth and I am looking for the right religion. I think it is Christianity, but it’s not Catholicism.”

I most definitely disagree with you…and so did the entire Christian world for about 1500 years.

“The Catholic Church has made lots of wrong decisions. It has forced so many false truths on people.”

Please…cite them…Historically and theologically it seems that the Church has made SO many right choices and defended the Truth in spite of unworthy and in some cases down-right corrupt men.

“Rome is a city built on seven hills, much like city that Revelation describes where the whore of Babylon will be."

You’re RIGHT! Rome does lie on seven hills—their names are:
Palatine
Capitoline
Quirinal
Viminal
Esquiline
Caelian
Aventine

The Vatican City, the Holy See, lies across the Tiber River—on Vatican Hill. The problem with the argument that Rome must be the city in Revelation is that, there are 100’s of other cities in the world which are built on seven hills—some notable (Jerusalem) and some not.

“How can anyone defend the Inquisition and the actions connected with that?Would Christ have allowed such a thing?”

Well…actually He did…since it happened, but this gets into the question of whether every thing that happens is God’s active will and that’s a whole other topic…I think you were trying to ask would Christ have done such a thing. Anyway, the Inquisition is shrouded in mystery and emotions run high any time you talk about it. Did bad things happen-yes—because of bad PEOPLE, not a bad Church. The church is a hospital for sinners not a museum for Saints.

The Inquisition

“How can Catholics claim to be Christian when Popes claim to be Christ on Earth?”

That is a blatant misrepresentation of the function Popes play…they are the Vicar of Christ-they are not Christ. The Papacy

“Why would anyone even TRY to defend Catholics' WORSHIP of Mary and Saints?”

This is patent old line anti-Catholicism. Every Catholic and any Protestant or non-catholic with a good handle of the English language knows that Catholic’s don’t worship the Saints.

Look up these words: latria, dulia, and hyperdulia

Then read this: Saint Worship?

“Catholic’s say they venerate the saints. Venerate means the same thing as
worship”

Get a dictionary…a good dictionary—actually look it up in Latin too. Find the three different types of worship…then figure out which one belongs only to God and which type of worship correlates to the word venerate. This will permanently end all debate over this issue. Those who can not differentiate between the two have a problem with the English language, not Catholicism.

“Aren’t Christians supposed to be humble? Have you seen how much gold and jewels the Catholic Church has?!”

Besides stuff in museums not much at all…that is a joke right?!? Dioceses throughout the world are usually financially autonomous. In many cases bordering on bankruptcy, some are doing financially alright though.

“I heard the whore of Babylon would come ‘In purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication (Revelation 17:4)’ That sounds a lot like Catholic Priests ”

Hmm…you’re right, I must be living a giant lie…oh wait, is there a possibility there may just be a wee bit of symbolism in there? BTW if we’re being strictly literal the liturgical colors are Red (note-not Scarlet), Green (most of the year), Violet and White…sometimes Rose maybe used.

From Catholic.org

“Note: Violet, literally "amaranth red," is the color of Bishops', Archbishops',
and Patriarchs' non-liturgical dress”

“We shouldn't call our leaders "father" either. Sure, Peter may have said that he has become a "father" to the people, but that doesn't mean we should call them "fathers," especially when GOD told us not to!”

This is patent-old style anti-Catholicism…there have been books written on this subject….maybe this will help:
Call No Man Father?

“I liked the decorated Cathedrals, I liked the jewels on my Rosary, I liked the words, the clothes, the pomp, the rituals, the artwork, the gold, the history, the order, the everything, except one thing: Jesus Christ.”

That indicates poor catechesis and misplaced trust. That is not the fault of the Church. I love the Cathedrals, I love my rosary—though both are plain-I love the “pomp” (as you put it) because I understand the tradition behind it. Catholic artists are-in my opinion—the best in the world. I haven’t seen much gold to be honest. The history is amazing-I suggest you truly look into it. But most of all I love Jesus Christ…I love all the other’s because I can see His work in it all.

It’s a shame that you’ve been driven away from the Church, but as you’ve shown you don’t appear to really understand the Church. Pity. You should truly read the Bible, the Catechism, the Early Church Fathers, and all notable theologians with an open heart…it can lead nowhere else but the Catholic Church. God Bless you and I will pray for you. PM me if you like.

In the future I suggest you bring up specific points of disagreement instead of lumping 1,000 half-truths in one post…if you have a question about liturgical colors, start a thread about that, if you have a question about indulgences, start a thread about that. It makes it much easier for readers to follow along.