Praying To Saints and Bowing To Images: Are Catholics Pagans?

Today we discuss the Popular Protestant charge against Catholics of idolatry. Are images and praying to saints pagan influences on Christianity? What is worship? The ancient faith is not warmed over paganism, and there are key distinctions to consider.

[@TheTradDadShow]

I wish more people would actually try to understand what we practice and believe!

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Me too. It would be nice for a change. ☺️

[@Spiritof76Catholic]

@@EmbracingTradition100 You and Candace are wonderful. Maybe I was a little harsh. I apologize. But the thing that amazes me is protestants love to tell Catholic Christians they believe in the essentials except the essentials Jesus gave us which are retained and passed on by the Catholic Church.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

@@Spiritof76Catholic thank you for your kind words. Dealing with Protestant objections can certainly be frustrating. I have had to pray often for God to help me be charitable and forgiving with them.

[@shanahendricks9831]

We can't even begin to explain the objections, because they want a 30 second short to a 2000 year old library

[@Spiritof76Catholic]

Yes. Jesus established one church not thousands. Pray for protestants because they have been led down the wide path by 16th century men.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

🙏

[@johnduh1900]

I’d consider myself Protestant at the moment. What’s led me to the Catholic faith is losing a child in 2023. All of 2024 I resented God and barely went to church. I attempted to get back into my “nondenominational” church, but I found it cold and empty and void of anything beyond a lecture on Sundays and some cheap coffee. I began (though I don’t remember how) researching church history after I saw a Protestant pastor say we aren’t allowed to pray to the dead, and once dead they are dead. This infuriated me that pastor said I couldn’t (not pray per se) talk to my dead child. So I learned that in Catholicism not only allows for speaking to those who’ve passed on, but encourage it because they say we are still one church, whether passed on or alive. Because the dead are more alive in Christ than we are.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

@ I’m so sorry for your great loss! May the Lord Jesus Christ and all of his saints comfort you! I will pray for you and I hope you can find peace in the walls of Christs Church! ☺️🙏

[@petertherock7340]

Thank you! Yes, we bow or “genuflect” at Mass in the direction of the Tabernacle behind the Altar which contains the consecrated Host- the Eucharist. The difference with Protestants is that the Catholic Church contains the spiritual and bodily presence (under accidens) of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have often wondered if some Protestants would even be comfortable bowing before Jesus if he stood before them resurrected since they refuse to honor him in less dramatic ways? 🤔 😊❤

[@garyr.8116]

I could never understand how some Protestants can say they "Believe Jesus" yet they deny His very word at John 6:50 calling ALL who has passed 'dead' John 6:50 "This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it **and not die** " . They seem to accept a 'form'/symbol of Jesus, yet DENY His Real Power to Make ALIVE !

[@EmbracingTradition100]

They unfortunately lack the categories for understanding these things. When my husband was a Protestant, the teaching of Michael Heiser really helped him when he came into Catholicism.

[@richardcastro1276]

The won't listen. The just don't like the authority of the Church: John 8 : 31-59 We can only pray for them to convert. Which we do pray for everyday and there are many conversions that take little bit of time. But they will happen faster and faster. See EWTN's Journey Home. And the millions of reverts... There should be 1.6 Billion inviduals + Eastern Catholcs + Eastern Orthodox. Hopefully, the Eastern Orthodox finally return home the rest of the way. Prophesy has that whole countries will rejoin/join the Catholic Church among them: - England - Russia - China

[@pablojuangonzalezquintela414]

Loved your explanation. Its amazing to watch all these recent convert testimonies, because honestly i had never watch these kind of videos. I recently started watching catholicism related videos, just after my marriage this past june. I come from one of the most catholic countries on Earth - Spain - and catholicism is part of our identity, history and pride. Spain was once the champion of catholicism and evangelizer of the world, so protestantism has never been a thing in my life. But i am currently living in South Africa (since 2020), and my wife is South African (anglican with african traditions and beliefs - ancestors mostly) We agreed on first marrying following her rites here in the Eastern Cape (xhosa tribe), and my family came all along from Spain. But after this first ceremony, and once we move back to Spain, we will marry according to the holy sacrament. She is also gonna convert, but here in South Africa its hard to find a church nearby, because this country was colonized first by the calvinist Dutch, then by the anglican English. So doing the Catecismo will be much easier in my homeland: there's a catholic church on every corner and some of my friends from Catholic schools are priests now. Sorry for this long comment, coming from nowhere, but since you opened your heart to us trying to explain your beautiful process of conversion, I felt it was fair to also say something about me. Apologies for my poor English too. Que Dios os bendiga, y Maria Santisima os guarde.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and your very kind words! I pray all the best for you both!

[@jeromevillanueva2207]

"In former times, God, who is without form or body, could never be depicted. But now when God is seen in the flesh conversing with men, I make an image of God whom I see. I do not worship matter; I worship the Creator of matter who became matter for my sake." - St. John of Damascus

[@johnnyg3]

❤Catholic 😅I love both i really enjoy listening to you guys share thanks

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Thank you! 😀

[@MNathaliaC]

I love your channel. Your and your family are blessed! Thank you very much for your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@EmbracingTradition100]

You are so kind! Thank you you so much! God bless you. 😌

[@jbloe555]

Great video. Thank you and blessings to you, your wife and family. There are a few main Protestant problems that lead to their misunderstanding. 1.) They listen to "pastors" who don't know any truth about Catholicism. It is lazy because the truth is easily accessible online. 2.) They can't shake their iconoclastic roots because of #1. 3.) The have no historical context. Most go back 10 minutes and not even the "reformation", let alone to 33 A.D. 4.) Protestant "worship" is merely praise because they do not have Christ's 1 sacrifice made present as commanded by Jesus. The Jewish context of the Passover is important to understand making Jesus sacrifice present. They are right that communion is a symbol...for them. They cannot consecrate the bread and wine into Jesus body, blood, soul and divinity without the true priesthood. The Holy Spirit does the miraculous, but it is through the unbroken succession of priests, via Bishops, to Jesus and the Last Supper consecration and command. The good thing is many Protestants are becoming Catholic because they are actually learning the truth the "pastors" hide. God bless them and all those who are seeking the truth. How sad is it that so many "pastors" need to denigrate Christ's Church to elevate and enrich themselves. Scripture says they will be humbled. They will be saying Lord, Lord we prophesied in your name and He will say I do not know where you are from because they were self serving. To my brothers and sisters in Christ, don't harden your hearts. Follow truth and not the hired "shepherds" who really don't care about their flock. Start with the Catechism of the Catholic Church online to learn what we actually believe and why. Much of it specifically references Scripture. May God bless you on your faith journey.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Very well said! Thank you for your input! 😌

[@363catman]

​@@EmbracingTradition100 you might consider being a little more specific but I agree with your comments and this original thread comment basically it is a very common position by those from low Church background or calvinist background. I attend at an ACNA church. We have some people who do lean more towards calvinist but we have people who bow at the crucifix. We have some that kneel during the Creed and some that take communion on the tongue. Big difference is those things are regarded as acts of personal piety rather than some obligatory action and nobody cares if someone Else does something that they don't do If they gain some spiritual value from it,

[@po18guy-s4s]

There are 25 examples of "bowed down" in the King James Version. One of before the Lord, the other 25, before various individuals. NONE of them is condemned, as the bowing down was in respect and DID NOT INCLUDE SACRIFICE! Worship demands SACRIFICE. I wish "bible believers" would actually READ and PAY ATTENTION to their bibles!

[@pianoatthirty]

If more Protestants knew that worship = food sacrifice (like in the Old Testament) and realized that Christ’s instituting of the Eucharist at the Last Supper (which happened during Passover) was the fulfillment of God’s promise to keep passover forever (Exodus 12:14), I think a lot of people would feel less confused by Catholicism in general.

[@po18guy-s4s]

@@pianoatthirty There was only a "reform" in Europe. There was no such thing - ever - in the eastern Church, Catholic OR Orthodox. It was a German virus that has become a pandemic of self.

[@therighteousrighthand]

I think you need to read what St Peter said to Roman centurion Cornelius when He bowed down before Him and what the angel told Johm in Rev 22 when he bowed down before Him. Saints and angels and I am sure our blessed mother would not want anyone bowing to them for whatever reason.

[@po18guy-s4s]

@@therighteousrighthand How ignorant are you?

[@po18guy-s4s]

@@therighteousrighthand FYI: Here is what it ACTUALLY means: "Ver. 25. Cornelius … worshipped.[2] Some think Cornelius might look upon St. Peter as more than a man, and offer to him divine worship: but by prostrating, he might only intend to pay such honour to him, as is paid to persons eminent in dignity, especially according to the custom of the eastern people. (Witham)" Peter raised the dead to life. What, we just say "How are ya!" IDIOTIC. Look at the 25 KJV examples! Not a single one condemned! That was the culture. That was the CONTEXT. Answer that! If only you were as brilliant as you think.

[@theadventurer1602]

When we bow toward statute of Jesus or saints, we are actually still bowing to Him and the saints, but not bowing to the statute per se, but rather the statute is used as point of our focus or reference. However, in any case if we wish to use material item to aid in our worship, we should first get it blessed by a priest (thereby they become a sacramental). To me this is significant because it is like asking God's permission for us to use the image to meditate upon Him and also to use it appropriately in a way that we won't slip into idolatry. Finally, we ain't confounding this image with God Himself but rather we are offering this sacred image, which are usually the works of the faithful, to God as an expression our love and gratitude for Him.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Well said. 😌

[@calmontes651]

My husband is a cradle Catholic but he has been away from church all his adult life, I was confirmed in 2018 and I have been going to mass by myself. We recently went to visit St Francis Cabrini’s shrine in NYC and he bought a medal with the virgin of Guadalupe. He asked me to take it to the priest to bless it, I was so shocked and I asked why? And he was so confident “because otherwise is just a medal”, I was proud and surprised. I’m praying for a change of his heart about the church, and I know the Virgin is looking out for him, deep in his heart I think he also knows this. If people only understood what you explained so well.

[@theadventurer1602]

@@calmontes651 When we bring an item to the priest for blessing, the blessing given to the item is also extended to us so that we may use the sacramental for the glory and honour of God. In this sense, sacramental is always to be used by the Faithful to aid in our spiritual growth and always connected to the Faithful. The blessing given to an inanimate object is never for the object itself. If it is solely for the item itself, then the spirituality turns paganism.

[@calledtobedifferent]

I loved this video!!! I was challenged with the same thoughts. I, like you guys, was more focused on the eucharist and apostolic succession. To me, if the Catholics got those things right then they clearly understood the scriptures far more than any church I had ever attended. So I first TRUSTED them with the teachings on the saints and Mary. I continued to study and pray about it, and it became clear that I WAS the one worshiping wrongly... I worshiped my BIBLE, because I had no sacred tradition, no apostolic succession. God bless yall and the great content you make!

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Thank you so much for your encouraging comments! ❤️ God bless you and yours!

[@midnightcoffee6463]

I often wonder how an Evangelical would respond if an Angel appeared before them in person. Would they refuse to talk to them because it would be 'praying to an Angel?'

[@po18guy-s4s]

If they bow when coughing or sneezing, who are they praying to?

[@ANg-1298]

Well, they would demand that God appear to them instead. During Covid, w the welfare check, Trump sent it out. The postman delivered. The Protestant would deny the “spiritual welfare check and the spiritual postman”. Instead throw a fit and demand Trump deliver it himself. Can’t wait to see the rapture. That will leave all the angels assigned to the Protestants to be freed up and help others (lol) - bc the Protestants will just waive them away and demand God, only God. What you reject - you don’t get - simple theological truth.

[@BrotherNate27]

This channel deserves a lot more views and subs. You and Candace are awesome

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Wow, thank you! 😊

[@guitarguy1018]

That’s very kind, thank you!

[@ANg-1298]

You guys do have a good channel, and very genuine, personal AND respectable . It will grow, I have no doubt - with God’s help. Please go slow and solid. I hate to see you guys resort to click bait titles for views, like so many others have rushed to the quick shortcut.

[@ANg-1298]

@@guitarguy1018wait, are you the “husband counterpart” ? Lol

[@guitarguy1018]

@ yes 😂

[@MB-zn9vg]

There's also something to say, an idol is a statue specifically set aside to be the "home" of a "deity", in pagan religions there are specific rituals to make that statue an idol. There is a woman who is a former Hindu and now Catholic Christian, and she explained the difference very well. Like the Bible testifies, they do things to the idol as if the statue is alive and not just a representation, they "feed" it, wash it, even "put it to sleep". Great video by the way! Great point at 14:31

[@Nick_Lamb]

That is an interesting point about idols, but the prohibition in the ten commandments is to making and bowing before a carved image that is of the likeness of anything in various categories, one of which being heaven. Protestants have more of a point than can just be addressed by "well bowing isn't always worship" or "bowing is the only form of worship". Whether or not bowing is worship is beside the point. The prohibition to my understanding is on bowing to a specific category of carved images. Please look at an interlinear of Exodus 20 and consider what I said, maybe there is an explanation for the Catholic practice, but differentiating Catholic statues from idols does not seem to be sufficient given the general prohibition described in the ten commandments. Peace!

[@midnightcoffee6463]

@@Nick_Lamb By that logic, the Priests of Israel worshipped the Ark of the Covenant itself, because they bowed before it and it had Cherub statues on it

[@Nick_Lamb]

@midnightcoffee6463 That is not the logic I presented. Key points from what I said: 1. the prohibition in the second commandment goes beyond just idols and seems to be more general. 2. The prohibition does not say specifically worship, but literally to not bow before this category of object. How can we rectify this with the ark of the covenant? Well, we can say it was specifically commanded to be created by God, so it was not men making it for themselves, so it wasn't in the category of object described in the second commandment, and bowing before while worshiping God would then be ok. That doesn't get us to "well that means we can make images of Saints and pray to God through them". Where did God say "Make images of the Saints and Jesus and stuff in Heaven now"?

[@po18guy-s4s]

@@midnightcoffee6463 Poor Nick.

[@po18guy-s4s]

@@Nick_Lamb By what authority are you an ORACLE OF GOD?

[@R.C.425]

Cradle Catholic, here, I like this video very much. Thank you, keep up the good work.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Thank you! 😊

[@calmontes651]

I laughed so hard with the intro because I was surprised to see your husband 😊Great vídeo!. At my church a young man usually sits on the right side of the church, and at the end of mass he walks over all the way to the left side to greet St Jude. I’ve never seen people doing this at the end of mass. After seen this for so many months I’m actually curious about St. Jude. This young man seems to greet him, because he literally pass by, he lowers his head and touch his feet (the statue is high), and it all happens so fast that is surely a greeting, I wonder why he is so close to this saint. Some Sundays I wait to see him do this because it’s beautiful.

[@guitarguy1018]

Thanks for the kind comment and beautiful story!

[@nandinoo]

Thank you friend, even a long time catholic like me needs a video just like this one once in a while.

[@daninspiration4064]

I thoroughly enjoyed your wife’s sharing. He has such a beautiful heart the last 10 mjns of her testimony was awesome how she prayed for you but was willing to be Protestant her entire life if you did not convert. Amazing

[@TheCatholicNerd]

Great video! I've been a Catholic my entire 41 years and honestly I've never seen anyone bow before a statue. I've seen people kneel before a statue, but it's not so much that you're kneeling before the Statue. It's that you're kneeling in prayer while you're in front of the Statue. Like before I got married I was waiting for the wedding to start and I was near the side altar of St. Joseph and I kneeled down there to pray. I mean yes, I was in front of a statue of St. Joseph and I was certainly asking Joseph for his prayers but not once did I think what I was doing was in any way shape or form worshiping St. Joseph. If you haven't had the opportunity yet, you should go to your diocese ordination if they have any candidates for the priesthood. Part of the ordination rite is the candidates for the priesthood prostrate themselves in front of the altar while the congregation prays the litany of the saints. At that moment, we're invoking all of heaven to pray for these men who are prostrate before the altar of God, awaiting the laying on of hands. It's quite beautiful. Also, I don't know if you've had the opportunity to go to adoration with benediction yet, but it's certainly something you should do if they offer it at your parish. Since we believe the Eucharist to be the body and blood of Christ truly present, we adore Christ in the Eucharist. It can be a very moving experience, rather it be a praise and worship type setting before the Eucharist, the solemn ceremony of benediction or the simple sitting in the chapel before the blessed sacrament and talking to God.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Thank you so much for your thoughts! We have had the privilege of going to adoration. It is truly beautiful. I would love to attend an ordination service. That sounds awesome! ☺️

[@CleavetoAntiquity]

I think most Protestants genuinely get this. It just makes it tough to defend when you have the pope bringing Pachamama into the Vatican. Aztec fire dancers in the middle of Catholic mass. Mayan rites of mass etc. to not simply say, there’s a paganism problem in the post Vatican 2 church.

[@resetsetmefree478]

I don't think I've really considered it from that perspective but you definitely have a good point. And if evangelicals mention it idk what to say then🤔

[@guitarguy1018]

No. They definitely do not get this. Abuses of truth do not negate the truth itself.

[@ANg-1298]

You must have a hint of Rad Trad in you, or Orthodox bros mentality? and a problem w Our Lady of Guadalupe? Do you know her history? Have you seen the Tilma? Do you know the Divine Miracle that occurred to turn 1 million pagan Aztecs into very spiritual Catholics while Europe 5 million Protestant pride rejected the Catholic Church? and have you seen the videos of her Marian Feast Day in December? culturally ignorant KZbinrs have called it paganism. - And t’s not just white. Blacks too - but if you put in some African tribal dances, they sure would beat you up if say something bad about Africanness. Just a thought.

[@MrsYasha1984]

Aren't the saints the body of Christ in heaven? So we bow by proxy to Christ anyway.

[@po18guy-s4s]

If Christ truly lives in a person, can we not bow to Christ in that person?

[@MNathaliaC]

Also, when you have a very very close relationship with God and is in a state of grace like the saints are, and you ask them to pray for you, their prayers have more power and effect.

[@Hannah-mx4ti]

Other Christian denominations say that Catholics are not Biblical and that we're not Christians, well, I say making fun of other people (like they always do to Catholics) is not very Christian-like. Never have I seen in the Bible that Jesus made fun of other people. So why are these protestants calling themselves Christians when they don't behave like one? 😅 Catholic priests don't waste their time and opportunity to make their sermons about hating other Christian denominations, unlike some Protestant pastors that I've seen so far, they spent their whole 20-30 minutes proving that Catholics are wrong instead of preaching the word of the Lord. Their criticisms are not constructive but instead it is hatred rooted perhaps from jealousy caused by PRIDE. That's why they just always try to find and make issues against the Catholic teachings even if how many times it has been explained that it is not what they think it is. If they don't want to accept the explanation fine. But they don't have to spread hatred against the Catholic church. Whenever they say "You worship Mary" and if we say "No, we don't" they will still insist that we do. 😂😂

[@midnightcoffee6463]

The Protestant Pastor spends so long ragging on the Church because they are afraid of losing congregation members and $$$$.

[@po18guy-s4s]

We think their theology is wrong. They accuse us of (insert claim).

[@pjla-lbl]

10:36 I think some Protestants, especially Evangelicals, think that praying (asking) to saints is worship because they have a superficial understanding of worship. For example, for most of them, singing songs on Sunday mornings is considered worship. Don’t get me wrong. It is good to sing praise-the-Lord songs, but I do not think it is worship. 🤔

[@midnightcoffee6463]

Exactly! If they paid attention to the Bible, people would offer Sacrifices as Worship.

[@downtherabbithole5206]

As a child, I was raised as a pentecostal and we were taught that every other protestant belief was wrong and Catholics were pagan now in my 40s having re-dedicated myself and educating myself I find that there are true believers in all corners of Christianity, but I no longer consider myself protestant I consider myself homeless wandering in the wilderness There is so much apostasy these days in the church. I am sure that this is not what the apostles or the founding father’s envisioned for Christianity. There is so much disunity where they preached absolute unity under one belief, and yet all protestants do is fight amongst themselves and a lot of Protestantism’s leads to secularism especially in the charismatic movement. I find myself more and more looking at the Catholic Church or the Orthodox Church but the one hurdle I can’t get over is the praying to Saints or the praying to Mary. I am hoping that as I study the founding fathers after the apostles that a light will shine on where I belong. I do honor the blessed mother Mary because of all women she was chosen, and I honor the Saints and all those who have come before us because they paid dearly to protect and spread the gospel so that someone like myself today can read the full gospel..

[@midnightcoffee6463]

Remember that Revelation says the Saints' prayers are offered up to God, and also remember that our Lord is not the God of the dead, but of the Living - the Saints are alive in Heaven, and praying for us every day. (it's never mandatory to pray to a Saint, and prayer means to request something from somebody) Delving into the early Church Fathers is definitely a good start, and I even recommend Acts and St. Paul's Letters to the Churches, straight from the Bible.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

I will be praying for the Lord to lead you on your journey 😊

[@downtherabbithole5206]

​@@midnightcoffee6463 That's what I have been reading and studying is Sant Paul's letters to the church. And on the side ST. Ignatius and this is way I have walked away from protestantism there is no life in it and I as I have studied on my own I have come to see I was lied to. And there is more world in the church then church in the world.

[@downtherabbithole5206]

@EmbracingTradition100 thank you, I appreciate it. It's connections like these with fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord that make. The walk with our Lord and Savior the greatest experience one can have in their life.

[@Silvernimbusstudio]

People dont realize prayer and worship are 2 different things .

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Yes! I might make a video on this topic soon.

[@Davcramer]

I converted 32 years ago this coming April. I admire the Saints and am fascinated by the lives of those I've read about, but I've never asked a Saint for their prayers and intercessions. I don't know whether I ever will. But the beauty of the Catholic Church is that there are our shared common worship in the Mass, but also a wide variety of personal devotions that we can choose to follow or not. I began praying the Rosary a few years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine and have been praying it nightly for nearly three years now. While I like the prayers, what I love most are the twenty mysteries and, if I remember correctly, twelve of those mysteries involve Mary in some way. Praying those mysteries have deepened my admiration for Mary and her role in our salvation. Salvation comes from Jesus Christ, but Mary played a necessary role in what went on. We hear the attack that we're idolators, that we worship statues. But statues are historical reminders of real people, real situations. In Washington DC we have the Lincoln Memorial that is visited by millions of people every year, but we don't worship Lincoln. Or statues of our other political and military figures. It shouldn't be difficult to understand that our Catholic statues represent real historical figures that we admire. When we see them it brings back our favorite memories about those people. The one statue we have in every Catholic Church, the one most Protestants seem to avoid in their own churches, perhaps out of fear of idolatry, is the crucifix. And it just seems ridiculous that praying before Jesus might be idolatry. Seriously? The truth is, when I see the crucifix, when I see statues of Mary and the Saints, they prompt me to pray. And because we can never pray to the Father and to Jesus, anything that prompts us to pray is a good thing.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Very will said. Thank you so much for taking the time to share! 😊

[@daninspiration4064]

And everyone is fine with people creating statues of presidents and Martin Luther king jr and reserve days off the then to honor them. Yet they go crazy over Catholics honoring saint statues

[@BensWorkshop]

Many thanks! Great video.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Thank you! 🙏 😌

[@Magenta10144]

This answers many questions! Thank you

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Glad it was helpful! 😌

[@halleylujah247]

I hope your wife is well . Your titles and thumbnails are always so creative.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

I am doing well. Thank you. 😊 Just recovered from sickness and taking care of littles who were sick. It’s been a crazy week.

[@dcnzsolt]

As one of the previous comments noted, in the depth of fundamentalist thinking (beyond life-long conditioning to deny everything that even smells Catholic without even examining what is being taught) there is a radical stripping of the meaning of worship. No natural person or culture before Luther's time has ever imagined that they can fully practice a religion and worship a deity without actual (personal) offering of and participation in sacrifice. This includes the entire Christendom (cf. the earliest Church Fathers). Ultimate worship does not exist without offering sacrifice in an actualized (physical) form. Singing, preaching, praying, making gestures, etc., have always been PART of worship, but they are insufficient for complete worship. To "be saved" I must personally and tangibly enter into the saving action by participating in sacrifice. Naturally, sacrifice can be offered only to God. So then, what happens if someone grows up and lives their entire life in an environment that has been stripped of all offering of sacrifice and only the other (much lesser) components of worship were kept and called worship. If somone else acts the same way when he/she "worships" (sings, prays, talks, shows gestures, etc.), which may not be necessarily directed to God Himself, that person may be shocked and will think that the other is worshipping these lesser things. But the problem is not with the other's behavior. The problem is that one's religious practice has been robbed of its core and has been replaced by much lesser things which became THE worship. It is tremendously eye-opening when one considers the profound statement of Mahatma Gandhi (who can't be accused of being partial to one set of Christian teachings), who listed among his 7 things that can destroy society: "The practice of religion without sacrifice." What a sadly correct insight!

[@EmbracingTradition100]

So well said! Thank you so much for your input! I may do a video on this topic soon!

[@ANg-1298]

I think a big stumbling block for Protestants - is to have sacrifice. To have sacrifice is to be bound to the Cross, and w a relationship w a person : it is called CRUCIFIXION. I think Protestants would not have that, think about that. Even without the cross is even better - look at the mega churches. I think the new modern Jews are here: if Jesus came now, and not back then, on Palm Sunday on a humble donkey, and if they saw Jesus beat up and bled and fell and humiliated on the Way of the Cross, they would have been disgusted and/or runaway. The old Jews looked for a glorious military God. The modern “Jews” depend on the Gospel of Prosperity and quick save, and rapture. I make my Way of the Cross everyday. It does something to you.

[@ANg-1298]

Funny you should quote Gandhi. Even the other meaning of sacrifice - fasting, offering up self denial to God - Many evangelical see no use for them - translated : even this sacrifice has no meaning for them. Gavin Ortlund talked about martyrdom if it even exists in modern days, is the boring daily chores - he said that laughingly in his TRUTH UNITES channel : translated, there is no sacrifice, no martyrdom, and NONE are wanted. It is sad.

[@dcnzsolt]

@@ANg-1298 I completely agree about the loss of the meaning of suffering and sacrifice in our personal lives, but to be fair, this extreme view of Christianity is prevalent mostly in certain (especially American) "evangelical" and non-denom circles. Most of the historic ("orthodox") Protestants do not subscribe to this view. Martin Luther himself would be appalled about how far his spiritual "descendants" have gone. This too shows how much fragmentation and splitting has been going on since his time.

[@Magenta10144]

Great video! I’m having difficulty on understanding on what is considered worship? And how to have a relationship with Mary, and how would or wouldn’t be worship or what is the right way? I heard in the past by Protestants that when people die we sleep until the judgment day, but I don’t know now. They wouldn’t be dead but non active or the ones taken by God before dying would be active?? I know what a mess 😅

[@John_Six]

Soul sleep is what Jehovah Witnesses and Seventh day adventists believe because they both came from the Millerites. This is unbiblical because Moses spoke to Christ at the Transfiguration. Peter, John and James saw him there too. Moses wasn't soul sleeping.

[@John_Six]

As for having a relationship with Mary the answer is found in John 19: 27. John doesn't write his name in verse 26 because he wants you to know that *you* are that beloved disciple.

[@po18guy-s4s]

In every biblical example of those who have died, they are shown alive, awake and conversing. Lazarus, Abraham and the rich man, Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration etc.

[@AlbertChiRho]

I love your explanation. Very clear.

[@FrJohnBrownSJ]

Your thumbnails are amazing.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@rebeccaprewett5014]

I grew up in an extended family that I joke resembled NATO (my mother and her sisters each married a man of a different nationality) so I’m continually amused at how culturally narrow-minded and, dare I say, ignorant so many Americans are. On my first two trips to Germany as a small child in the early 1960’s, I was taught to curtsy while meeting adults, and my brother was taught to bow. These were old-fashioned manners, but still expected by the older generations. Years later, I studied and later taught martial arts. I did have a few prospective students - fundamental Protestants - who, after observing a class, declared to me, “I bow to no man!” and accused me of all manner of pagan idolatry. I was Protestant at the time and began and ended every class with prayer, even had a cross on the wall, but these few people couldn’t get past the bowing. I guess they thought we were all engaged in worshiping each other. Any attempt to explain fell on deaf ears.

[@guitarguy1018]

That’s so ridiculous 😂

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Fundamental Protestants are just the greatest 😂

[@po18guy-s4s]

Catch them bent over sneezing or coughing. IDOLATERS!!!!

[@po18guy-s4s]

@@EmbracingTradition100 They cannot even connect the ONE DOT they have left.

[@John_Six]

Daniel 2:46 in the KJV should make protestants scream because it uses the word "worship." Sometimes I wonder if they actually read the bible or just say that they do.

[@charitybrook6279]

Idk if Nebuchadnezzar is the best example though...

[@John_Six]

@@charitybrook6279 That's not the point. The point is that the word "worship" is there and Daniel doesn't rebuke him. This is not the same worship given to God as other translations point out. Other translations use "paid homage" or "honored."

[@midnightcoffee6463]

@@John_Six Exactly - it was Dulia (veneration, honour, etc) To God, we Catholics give Latria (worship, sacrifice)

[@ANg-1298]

I pray to ALL the SAINTS, ANGELS, and souls in Purgatory (and not just pray for them). As a spiritual brother of Jesus in front of the Eternal Father, I also have spiritual kingship. I call it the Aragon maneuver. In the last desperate hour of Lord of the Rings III, king Aragon was able to mobilize the spirits of the ancient soldiers to one last time come out fighting for Good. During my temptations, and at the last hour of my death, I ask the COMM-UNION of angels and saints, and the holy souls from Purgatory that I prayed to help release through my dedication to them in my life to surround me, fight w me against the last trickery of Satan, and beg for me to the Lord our God for my forgiveness. Mary helped the wedding guests at Cana, and Jesus complied, and God the Father and the Holy Spirit acquiesced. She wasn’t just “the Woman” Jesus reprimanded and denied, like Protestant preachers twist and pervert. Just a little thought.

[@GravInducedSleepTrac]

🙏🙏🙏

[@joshuabouley7674]

It’s very sad that the Body of Christ, those who trust in Jesus Christ for remission of sins and have the Holy Spirit guiding them, have so many tribal, sinful feelings towards each other. Whether “Catholic” or “Protestant”, both sides have those who call themselves these things but don’t know God at all. We need to clean up our own houses and spend more time working for the kingdom of heaven rather than feeling superior based on what you call yourself. By their fruits you will know them.

[@courtneypuzzo2502]

no the Saints are intercessors to Jesus oh and when you go through CCD to receive your confirmation during adolescence you pick a patron saint so your parents might have an image on the Mantel in the Livingroom/den so no Catholics are not pagans though our protestant friends may look at us oddly for that same goes for infant baptism unless in a dire situation like a child born with Cystic Fibrosis who may die young or who has childhood cancer and may not live until they're old enough for Confirmation

[@polodown4729]

CDS is real

[@ANg-1298]

It is called hate - to be specific . And to be precise - almost LUCIFERAN. CDS is a rather PC term.

[@CGS-yv3xq]

hello my fellow pagan

[@CatholicWithaBiblePodcast]

What is that intro song?

[@EmbracingTradition100]

Dei Matris Cantibus from DL sounds ☺️

[@missinglink_eth]

Both of your analogies are one living person giving respect to another living person. That’s not the same as bowing to an image of someone that is no longer living on the earth. I realize you will likely say that saints are more alive in heaven than we are here, but you have to understand that Protestants don’t see your examples the same way as preying to saints.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

I understand that Protestants don’t see it that way, I think what needs to be stressed is that even though to a Protestant, these souls can’t hear, bowing and praying doesn’t necessitate worship. 😌

[@missinglink_eth]

@ I get that not all bowing is worship, I just don’t think the analogies of living people on earth and saints in heaven work for Protestants. Protestants think that Jesus is enough to hear all our prayers in heaven. That Saints aren’t given super powers to listen to everyone praying to them all at once. And Jesus should be the one you feel most comfortable praying to, not Mary or some other saint you feel more ties to or that has a similar story to yourself. And if you have extra time after praying to God to pray to saints too, then pray to God some more because he deserves it far more than any saint. These are the kinds of things that bother Protestants.

[@EmbracingTradition100]

@ I don’t think it’s necessarily about saints *deserving* to be prayed to, but rather that God shares His grace and His glory with us, especially those who are in a glorified state in Heaven. The doctrine of deification is helpful to understand these categories. Protestants lack the historic understanding of the incarnation, theosis, resurrection etc. that truly brings these issues together in a unified view. When you have all of it tied together, it truly isn’t hard to grasp.

[@EvelynKerubo-q9f]

​​@@missinglink_eth I don't get it. What about going to heaven turns a creature like a saint into a deity so that if you do the exact same things to them you were doing on earth, those exact same actions now becomes idolatry? Does being in heaven change you from being a lover and member of Jesus Christ into a different type of being or just glorifies you and makes you even more complete in that love and membership?

[@missinglink_eth]

@@EmbracingTradition100 I’ve studied plenty of church history. Praying to saints isn’t in the first 400-500 years after Christ. A picture in the catacombs does not equate to praying to saints. The burden of proof is on you. It’s not in Scripture and the earliest fathers never write about it. Later popes and councils said it was ok because people started to do it. Show me otherwise and I’d love to read about it in the early apostolic church.