November 1, 2005

Preacher Man
Annatar

I did a google on the quote its 1 Timothy 2:5. While I appreciate it is from the Bible, they are the Words of a Saint not God. St Paul had interesting ideas as to the position of women in society. His views (alot of) on Women were more indicative of the times he lived in that the will of God.
I will admit that I used to be sceptical of praying to saints etc but it came to me in a blinding flash, that they are fellow members in the church and I can see no downside, no evil in asking fellow members to pray for me or others.
I weigh all such things in the balance of what harm / what good can it do? Having others worshipping God and petitioning on your behalf - I cannot see who gets hurt? Where Three or more gather in His name and ask Him for something it will be given to them. Jesus gives the go ahead for members of his flock to pray for single intentions together. He did not put in any provisors, only if etc
As for what good it does... well.. obviously I dont have to go into that. God answers all prayers. Perhaps not the way we would like but always in the way we need.

I suppose some would say Jesus said "the only way to the Father is through Me". That refers to how you live your life. Try to live like Jesus and you will meet the Father. Jesus is Love, a life lived in Love will get you eternal life. It is not a reference to who can and who cant pray for who.
If I pray for a neighbour who is sick and ask for God's help for them, how can that be a sin? It is not.
Nothing done in love is a sin, if I ask Our Lady to pray with me to God for a specific intention with Love in my heart, it cannot be wrong...it cannot be a sin.

As for Catholic Churches putting Mary before the worship of God, I honestly have never seen them, and I've been in a few. Can I ask, Farlas, have you ever been in a Catholic Church? just curious...
Personally I've been in Greek Orthodox, Presbyterian, Church of Ireland/England Churches/Chapels/halls. There are some aspects I wish the Church would adopt from all of them. In truth it is best that there are various separate Churches, we learn from each other and we act as a check on each other. But we need to be a tighter family these days.

I suppose the word "pray" might seem to imply Worship (But as all know, or should know, we do not Worship anyone but God). The only sin involved is the short comings of the English language or more probable our use thereof.

Too many misunderstanding of what each Church does by each other. A closer Christian Brother/Sisterhood is needed in the World. Indeed I would have our Cousins in Judasim and Islam closer to us as well.
Afterall we all have Abraham for our father...

Anywho, here endith the lesson. Ash Nazg....

PS still just seems to be you and I in here Farlas... Oh Well.