Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
Perhaps the biggest stumbling block in acceptance of other religions, is lack of understanding. Now we will address, and discuss certain concepts, their meanings and common misconceptions about them.
Purgatory - What it is and is not
Indulgences - What they are. Dispelling common myths about them
Catholicism - Not Roman Catholicism
The Vatican - What is is, and is not
Three Churches - Discussing the origins of and differences between Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox and Anglicanism
The Saints - Not false idols
Mary - Not worshipped
Purgatory is a largely misunderstood aspect of theology. The first, and possibly most common, is that it is a "middle ground" between Heaven and Hell. It is not, for in fact it is not truly a "place." Rather a state of being, of purification.
The next biggest is that it is a "Catholic Thing" as it was invented by The Catholic Church. This is not correct. The doctrine actually traces it roots back to Judaism, and a observance called Jahrzeit (or Yahrzeit) is tied to the belief. The Eastern Orthodox church believes in a smilar concept called "The Final Theosis." Purgatory was widely believed in until The Protestant Reformation. While some denominations do believe in Purgatory or similar concepts, largely they deny its existance. Clearly it existed before Catholicism, and side by side with it in other religions. To paraphrase book Purgatory - Quizzes to a Street Preacher, "The Catholic Church didn't invent Purgatory, the Reformers invented the idea that there was no Purgatory." To quote Catholic.com, "Rather, any change in the original teaching has taken place in the Protestant churches, which rejected a doctrine that had always been believed by Jews and Christians."
Another claim is that the word "Purgatory" isn't in the Bible. That is simply because other words or methods of discription were used. The word was defined at the councils of Florence and Trent, but the idea existed before hand. To be specific, the words "Heaven, Hell, Holy Trinity, Holy Eucharist and Incarnation were not mentioned in the Bible either. However other words and descriptions were used. For this reason, though the words were not used, the concepts are still widely accepted in Christianity. The word "Purgatory" came from the Latin "Purgatorium."
Another misconception that it is is a place of pain. It is been established that it is not a place. The name "Purgatory" was used to indicate its purpose as a state of cleansing or "purgation." Purgatory has even been described as a place of joy for two reasons. The first being is that it is closer to God, thus greater joys are there to match. The second is that the soul knows that the full presence of God follows Purgatory, after being made clean and pure, thus ready to be with Him.
Purgatory
Catholic.com - Purgatory
How to Explain Purgatory to Protestants
Purgatory - An article by David MacDonald
Too often, indulgences are used as a "magic word" to dispute anything about The Catholic Church that one doesn't agree with. Primarily Penance and Purgatory, but also church authority.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not a financial transaction or a "Get Out Of Hell Free card." The individual gains the indulgence by participating in certain activities, most often the recitation of prayers. A good way to understand indulgences would be to read this excerpt from Pope Paul VI.
"An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain defined conditions through the Church's help when, as a minister of Redemption, she dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions won by Christ and the saints."
The idea could simply be confusing to some when there is a mention of time. The mention of time was commonly (and incorrectly) believed by some to be a reference to the amount of time out of Purgatory. The reference to time is in fact a reference the amount of time someone might "work off" their penance here on Earth for a temporal sin. For example, if a person steals $5 off of their friend, he would be required to confess but also to return the $5. If he can't, he should work it off. Indulgences are similar in that they are a temporal punishment to make amends for sin on Earth. Also important to remember is that by decree of Pope Pius V, following the Council of Trent, it is forbidden to attach the receipt of an indulgence to any financial act, including the giving of alms. That means The Catholic Church not only frowns upon the receipt of money for an indulgence, but forbids it as well. This is contrary to what was read in Machabees (which is cited as the "biggest" evidence to Catholics of Purgatory, though other passages can be read, not that indulgences and the living had anything to do with the afterlife), in which silver was offered up to Jerusalem, and prayers were said for the dead. The Catholic Church has, to the contrary, stated that this will not be done for money, or even charity, to prevent the illussion that one can "buy their way into heaven" or just out of hell.
We can see that not only is an indulgence not a financial transaction, the concept has very little, if not nothing at all, to do with Purgatory. While both Purgatory and indulgences related to the cleansing of the consequence of sin, it doesn't mean the topics are the same. This no more makes them the same as it would make things like Purgatory and faith would be, since faith is needed to go through Purgatory, and then to Heaven. As it would make things like Purgatory and forgiveness, for one must be forgiven by God of the guilt of sin to go Purgatory. As it would make things like indulgence and forgiveness for that matter. While the topics relate, they are not as to say they are the same for all elements of faith relate. Indulgences are the remission of the temportal penalty of sin. Purgatory deals with making the soul clean before God, to the point of removing the stain that makes us inclined to sin in the first place.
Myths About Indulgences
Myths About Indulgences (another article)
Primer On Indulgences
Catholic Encyclopedia - Indulgences
Indulgences - An article by David MacDonald
The Catholic Church is often referred to as "The Roman Catholic Church." While this term has been "adopted" by Catholics everywhere, it is technically incorrect. The largest problem with this name, is the illusion it gives that it is part of a "larger Catholic Church." There is only one Catholic Church.
This term gives the false illusion that The Catholic Church has connections to Rome, be it the city or former Empire. To the contrary, its ideals are very different from that of the Roman Empire and the pagan faiths Rome had. Also, contrary to popular belief, the Pope does not live in Rome.
The term "Roman Catholic Church" is actually derived in derogatory terms used by The Reformers. This is evident in much of their writing when refering to Catholicism and its ideals as "Romish." In fact, for this reason it is still considered a derogatory term to refer to a Catholic in this way.
It should also be noted that there is The Eastern Rite, sometimes known as Eastern Catholics. Making the distinction "Roman Catholic" can give the false idea that there are two separate churches, when in fact both are in full communion with with The Holy See.
A common misconception about the Vatican is that is part of Rome. This is incorrect. It is an independant nation, complete with diplomatic immunity in the event of war. Another misconception is that The Vatican has always been the home to The Papacy. During the early days of Christianity, Christians were persecuted in the Roman empire. This would make it impossible to setup such a place as The Vatican. Also, for a time in the 14th century, the Papacy resided in France.
It is (incorrectly) believed by some that The Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church and Anglican Church are all part of one greater church. Contributing to that idea is the use of the term, Roman Catholic. These ideas are incorrect.
The Catholic Church traces its institution to Jesus and the Twelve Apostles, and sees the bishops of the Church as the successors of the Apostles in general, and the Pope as the successor of Saint Peter, leader of the Apostles, in particular. The first known use of the term Catholic Church was in a letter by Ignatius of Antioch in 107, who wrote: "Where the bishop appears, there let the people be, just as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church."
The Eastern Orthodox Church split off from The Catholic Church in 1054, but tensions had been around before the split, known as "The Great Schism." While they are very similar in belief to Catholicism, they have been separated for 1000 years. The two churches also have subtle differences on topics like original sin and The Immaculate Conception, as well as others.
The Anglican Church began when Henry VIII (Henry Tudor) split off from The Catholic Church when he was not granted an annulment from his wife, Catherine of Aragon, for the reason he fought to get special dispensation to marry her in the first place. He placed himself as the head of this newly formed church and divorced his wife. He would marry several other times afterwards. It wasn't until his son, Edward Tudor (Edward VI) came to power that things would truly change. Under Henry, many aspects remained close to Catholicism. Edward VI enacted The 39 Articles, which ultimately separated it from The Catholic Church by making it a truly Protestant Church. Later movements would come about with in The Anglican Communion that would try to reconcile these differences, but Anglicanism remains a separate church.
The biggest, most common misconception about the saints, is the idea that they are worshipped. This has given rise to many false ideas about Christianity, about if the saints even existed to begin with, or if they were "made up" to maintain a sense of polytheism in the new converts.
Firstly, saints are not worshipped. They are venerated, revered and respected. This has been called "dulia." These however do not equate to worship. They are looked upon as role models, for the lives they lead in service of God, The One we do worship. For only God is to be worshipped. This worship is often called "Latria." The people asking for prayers (be it from their neighbours or the saints), are still to offer up prayers to God.
People don't pray to the saints. People pray with the saints. Often these prayers are usually standard prayers used for all occasions and end with "(Saint's name), pray for us." This should make it quite absolutely obvious to everyone, the nature and direction of prayer. That being, to God. It is not unlike asking you neighbour to pray for you. You are not offering prayer upto your neighbour, but asking them to offer prayers upto God on your behalf.
There also seems to be a misconception as to what exactly a saint is. A common false idea, probably stemming from the previous misconception, is that they are people with special powers. There are two ways to look at what a saint is. The first is the "untechnical" way which is "everyone in heaven." Thus any soul and any angel in heaven is a saint (noted with a small "s"). The more technical and common ways is noted "St" or "Saint" (with a large "S") and refers to people we believe to be in Heaven. Again, this doesn't refer to human souls only, but also a few angels such as St.Michael, St.Gabriel and St.Raphael, who are arch-angels. People who have lived good lives here on Earth, in the service of God, and died, may be refered to as Saints. This happens after a (often lengthly) process called "canonisation." This process involves investigating the truth to accounts of their lives, their actions, their dedication to God, etc. This happens after their death.
The next misconception is that saints have powers and that it is the saint performing a miracle. This is incorrect as saints have no power at all. If a miracle happens as a result of asking a saint to pray for us, it is because it is a work of God. However, the saints that are angels do have some abilities, but they are also granted by God. The angels, always remaining subservient to God.
Saints - Catholic.com
Saints - By David MacDonald
Those who do not believe often confuse the reverance for Mary the Mother of God, for worship. This can not be discussed with out first looking at the definition of The Saints. Like any saint, Mary is venerated. Especially since she is The Mother of God. Mary was conceived and born with out original sin. She was chosen by God for she was a pure woman, in every way, and chose not to sin. Mary carried Christ in her womb, brought Him into this world and cared for Him. Mary has even been called "The First Disciple." These should be considered when asking why we venerate Mary.
Another misconception is that the "Hail Mary" is a prayer to Mary, and is un-Biblical. This couldn't be further from the truth. The Hail Mary is very Biblical, the first half being taken directly from The Gospel of Luke. Let us look at it;
"Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with you
Blessed art thou among women" - Luke 1:28
"And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus" - Luke 1:42
"Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners
Now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen."
The first part is clearly taken directly from the Bible. some of it spoken by St.Gabriel, an arch-angel and messenger of God. The second part is quite obviously a request for prayer to be offered up to God. Anyone who has heard, or read the prayer can see this. Mary is holy and she is The Mother of God. The prayer makes clear the intent when it clearly says "pray for us sinners." There really should not be a debate as to whom worship or Latria, is to be directed to.
Is Mary Really God’s Mother?
Who Will Crush The Serpent’s Head?
Teenaged Protestants Study Mary
Mary in the Bible
Contact me at thedialecticmethod@hotmail.com
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