Catholic Bashing

[AxFactor]

I was asked by my girlfriends baptist room mate tonight some questions about the faith I could not give a convincing answer to. So I need your guys's help on these.

1. Why do we have Saints and why can't we pray directly to Jesus for the things saints can do?

2. What's the difference between vineal sin and mortal sin?

3. Was peter the founder of the catholic church?

Any answers and answers to additional questions is greatly appreciated.

[Cow of Shame]

[quote name='AxFactor' date='Oct 5 2005, 12:41 AM']

1. Why do we have Saints and why can't we pray directly to Jesus for the things saints can do?
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I'll take the easy one. We CAN pray directly to Jesus for things, and we should. Just as we ask our earthly Christian brothers to join us in prayer, so we ask our heavenly Christian brothers (yeah yeah, and sisters) to ask Jesus for help on our behalf.

Catholics are NOT praying to dead people! However, this is often what it sounds like to Protestants.

[Guest T-Bone]

[quote name='AxFactor' date='Oct 4 2005, 11:41 PM']

3. Was peter the founder of the catholic church?


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Peter was NOT the founder of the Catholic Church--Jesus was.

[photosynthesis]

1. Why do we have Saints and why can't we pray directly to Jesus for the things saints can do?

Asking a saint to pray for you is just like asking one of your Christian brothers and sisters on earth to pray for you. As Catholics, we believe in the resurrection of the dead and eternal life for those who believe, and so the Saints are not dead people. They are more alive than we are, living eternally in the presence of God, praying for the salvation of souls, and their prayers are powerful.

2. What's the difference between venial sin and mortal sin?

1 John 5:16-18 says,
"If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly. We know that no one begotten by God sins; but the one begotten by God he protects, and the evil one cannot touch him."

The Bible talks about a difference between sins that are deadly (mortal) and sins that are not deadly (venial). The Catholic Church teaches this distinction. Mortal sin is sin that is grave, and it must be done with full knowledge and consent of the will. Venial sins are sins that are not very serious, or are done with something inhibiting full knowledge/consent. These things can be: mental illness, immaturity, ignorance, etc. It doesn't take away from the severity of the sin but it can mean the person is less responsible for it. When in doubt about whether something is mortal or venial, it is always best to go to confession about it and ask for advice.

Also, the Bible also says "There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray." A lot of Protestants say stuff like "well if I just tell Jesus about my sins he'll forgive me. I don't need to confess my sins to a priest." Well, the Bible explicitly says that an individual praying for forgiveness of mortal sins isn't going to cut it. That's why Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Confession in John 20:21–23! Obviously God always hears our prayers because we're His children. But He gave us the Sacrament of Confession for a reason---to be reconciled not only to Him but to His Church. Isn't that awesome? I love that fresh-from-the-confessional feeling

3. Was peter the founder of the catholic church?
Nope, Jesus is. Peter's our first Pope.

[jasJis]

AxFactor,
Please go to our [url="http://www.phatmass.com/directory/"][b][color=purple][u]Phatmas Catholic Defense Directory[/u][/color][/b][/url] for some reference information. If you need some help with certain subjects that your find there, try posting on the Open Mic phorum for more help. Phatmass has lot's of knowledgeable Cath's that don't post on the Debate Phorum.
In particular, I would ask Brother Adam.
Good Luck.

Edited October 5, 2005 by jasJis

[Sirklawd]

all good replies and dont be afraid to "quiz" his religious knowledge as well.

ask him who founded his church, and who wrote his bible.

moreso, you should tell that person to go to the phatmass defense directory. maybe give him a catechism too. theres nothing stopping both of you working together to find out about Catholicism. if hes just going to attack you the whole time maybe not though.

Edited October 5, 2005 by Sirklawd

[thessalonian]

[quote name='AxFactor' date='Oct 5 2005, 12:41 AM']I was asked by my girlfriends baptist room mate tonight some questions about the faith I could not give a convincing answer to. So I need your guys's help on these.

1. Why do we have Saints and why can't we pray directly to Jesus for the things saints can do?[/quote]

Who says we can't pray directly to Jesus? We most certainly can pray for ourselves. Secondly it's not the saints who do it. We ask their intercession just as I would ask you or you me for prayers.
But God gives the grace to bring about the desired result.

Note: They are likely to bring up 1 Tim 5 on this matter which says Jesus is the one mediator. Tell them to go back and read v. 1-4 which says it is good to ask for intercession of others.

2. What's the difference between vineal sin and mortal sin?

I don't know, stealing a cookie vs. Robbing a bank. The second one is kinda bigger I would say.

3. Was peter the founder of the catholic church?

Christ built the Church upon Peter, the Rock. See Matt 16:18.
Peter means Rock.

Hope that helps.

[scardella]

Oh, and Peter/rock tidbit (this is second hand from a Scripture Guru):

They may bring up the petros/petra argument. It's mushy mud pie, because in the Aramaic, which Jesus actually spoke in, they're the same. However, when translating that statement into Greek, they couldn't have Peter being called a girl.

[thessalonian]

By the way, I would like to say that one should not view the questions asked as Catholic bashing. These people have been sold a bill of goods by someone. They don't know what they are talking about. Further it is an opportunity for you to dig in to your faith a bit so that next time you have the answers. I recommend that you pick up Keatings Catholicism and Fundamentalism or some similar book. These are opportunities for you to evangelize for Christ whom you profess. Also pray for your friends.

Blessings

Edited October 5, 2005 by thessalonian

[hierochloe]

[quote name='thessalonian' date='Oct 5 2005, 06:26 PM'] I recommend that you pick up Keatings Catholicism and Fundamentalism or some similar book.  [right][snapback]747651[/snapback][/right]
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Oh, I had that book years ago and it was great. Need to get another copy.