why do catholics pray to Mary? where in Bible suports doing so?
93643
Catholicism is a religion of idol worship.  The Bible does not support worshipping or praying to Mary.  She was a human being like all of us.
782955
I agree totally with you. The Catholic Church does teach the Bible and we hear the Bible at every Mass. We have two readings and usually a psalm reading at every Mass. I really think it is a matter of jealousy with the other denominations. Just like Joseph's brothers were jealous of him they are jealous of us because we have the Mother that our Father loves the best The Virgin Mary. We love and honor her and they don't so I would say the proof is in the pudding.
249371
I think that Catholics are sinning when they pray to saints or Mary because it is idolitry.  However, all sins are created equal.  So my sin of disrespecting my husband and refusing to submit to him was just as bad.  \n\nI think that inspite of the idolitry, devout Catholics will go to heaven because they believe in their heart and confess with their lips that Jesus Christ is Lord.\n\nI also believe that there is a portion of the Catholic believers that take advantage of "confession".  By this I mean that there are a few who give good Catholics a bad name because they don't have a desire to live a pure and holy life (well, as much as is humanly possible).  They live a worldly life all week long, then go to confession and poof, all is forgiven, just so they can go out and do it all over again.  The thing is, when we ask for forgiveness, the Lord looks at our hearts and knows our motives.  The purpose of confession is to redeem ourselves from a mistake in judgement and then make an honest effort to not do it again.\n\nNow, I don't know about all Catholic churches, but I was greatly offended when I went with a friend to a Bingo/carnival on church property that was sponsered by Budweiser.  The place was crawling with drunks.  To me, this shows a total disreguard for the house of the Lord.  \n\nThen there is the baptism of babies.  In protestant churches, a child is not allowed to get baptised until they're old enough to understand what it means.  It is done by submersion as a representative of dieing to the things of this world and a profession of faith saying that you are dedicating your life to God.  From what I understand, the words spoken in Latin by the priest are actually to exorcise a demon from the infant.  I don't know about you, but none of my babies were born possessed.\n\nAll this being said, I have had many wonderful Catholic friends throughout my life.  They love the Lord with all their hearts and they are good, moral people.  Most of my inlaws are Catholic and I love them all dearly.  Bust just like with any other religion, there are always a handful of "bad ones" that give them a bad name.  Two words, "Jim Baker".  Enough said.
996175
This is a specifically Catholic belief and involves the conception of Mary, not Jesus.  I believe that most Protestants (only know for sure about Baptists, though), do not subscribe to that belief
986268
I would like to comment on the fact about Mary or the other saints being worship. They where servants of God and shouldn't be worshiped like some people do. \n\n\nYou can get on your knees and kiss the statue of St.Peter and still not get to heaven because Jesus is the only one to forgive you of your sins. \n\n\nAs for the images I too once thought nothing of it. However it is commanded  that we not make any image or likeness of God in earth or the sea beneath. So after searching my own heart I found it to be wrong.\n\n@martha I just got done reading and your right we shouldn't judge. But the bible does tell us to save our brothers from death(Translated from the hebrew word sheol which means hell).
607017
Catholics are Christians through and through--in the very fullest sense.  \n\nPeople like to give (and make up) all kinds of reasons why Catholics are not Christians, but the one thing that truly sets Catholics apart most is the Eucharist.  Together with members of the Orthodox Church (the Catholic Church's "Sister" Church), Catholics are the only people who receive the Real Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Lord Jesus.  You don't get any more Christian than that!\n\nReceiving the Eucharist literally transforms us spiritually into true sons and daughters of God.  That was the entire purpose of Jesus's Incarnation--He died so that we could be true children of God again.\n\nThat said, in order to receive the Eucharist, we must be in a state of grace (proper disposition, no mortal sins on our souls).  Unlike many Protestants, who think their salvation is guaranteed just by saying they believe in Jesus (regardless of their sins), Catholics care a great deal about making ourselves as worthy as possible, and we often go to great lengths.  This is because we know we are truly, completely, receiving Lord Jesus into ourselves through the Eucharist.  You wouldn't want to invite a guest into a messy house--we *definitely* don't want to do that to Lord Jesus!\n\nIt's no surprise that lots of Christians don't understand Catholicism--there is so much to learn, and not everyone likes to learn.  But no argument against Catholicism can stand up to Scripture or any other element of Sacred Tradition.  After all, the Bible is a Catholic Book (despite some Protestants thinking that the King James Version just fell out of the sky one day).  Protestants claim that Catholic Sacred Tradition "adds" to the Bible, but the fact is that the Bible IS Catholic Sacred Tradition.  \n\nFinally, I'd like to address Catholics' veneration of Mary--which Protestants claim to mean that we worship Mary (and therefore, we are not Christians).  Veneration does not mean worship--it means honor.  As a good Jewish man, Jesus honored His parents (both Mary and St. Joseph).  Before His death, Jesus told St. John to regard Mary as his mother--which meant that Jesus was asking St. John to honor her as well.  So... who are we not to honor her?  Are we above Jesus and St. John?  Venerating Mary is one more way in which Catholics show obedience to Lord Jesus.  It should also be noted that at least some of the earliest Protestants (such as Luther) also venerated Mary and believed in her perpetual virginity.
1115592
The Virgin Mary sometimes also called Holy Mother. Make no mistake, She is not greater than God, but she is humble in his presence. When people pray to Mary, they are actually praying through her. She acts as a guide for prayers. She brings prayers to God. And as a mother and a woman, many female Christians can relate to her. \n\nHow to pray to The Virgin Mary, one such prayer goes like this....\n\nHail Mary \nFull of grace\nThe Lord is with thee\nBlessed art thou amongst women\nAnd blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus\nHoly Mary\nMother of God \nPray for us sinners\nNow and at the hour of our death\nAMEN.
1057330
The Bible says that only Jesus is the way to heaven. The vision of virgin Mary is real and also the Fatima, the devil can do tricks too and if you believe your eyes more than the Bible you will surely be decieved. The statue Mary and other such things are a form of idol worship and thus they should not be prayed to or look to guidance and forgiveness. Mary was a good woman as the Bible says but neither the gospel writers, the prophets before, even Jesus did not put her up as a saint or someone to pray to or make idols of.
219184
The Bible clearly teaches that we go to God thru Jesus.\n\nJohn 14:6 (NASB): Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.\n\nJohn 14:13-13 (NASB): "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.\n\nThere is nothing wrong with asking brothers and sisters to pray for you. In fact Paul encourages that.\n\nEphesians 6:18-20 (NASB): With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.\n\nThe error is when you make Mary or anyone the object of your prayers. To ask someone to pray for you is not the same thing as praying to them. The only one you should be praying to is God.\n\nConsider this part of the rosary: "Hail holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary." \n\nWho are the people praying this prayer cyring out to for mercy and advocacy? Is it not Mary? But the bible teaches that Jesus is our advocate and the source of our mercy.\n\n1 John 2:1-2 (NASB): My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. \n\nHebrews 4:15-16 (NASB): For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.\n\nJesus is our high priest in whom we have access to God.\n\nHebrews 7:24-25 (NASB): but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. \n\nHebrews 10:19-23 (NASB): Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,  by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;\n\nI do not see anywhere in the bible that we are instructed to ask those who have proceeded us to intercede for us. We are however to cry out to God with our needs.
304631
I am assuming this is a question of curiosity and not of mocking Catholics.\n\nAs the other posters answered, we are not worshipping the actual statues as GOD himself but rather as a visual reminder.  \n\nIn the Old Testaments people worshipped idols, animals, etc. even though God kept sending prophets to warn them of not continuing such practices.  During the time of Moses, the people celebrated by thanking a Bull rather than God who saved them from Egypt that is when the commandments were given.\n\nI am not an expert nor someone who has such strong faith but I just tried to state the misconception of others that Catholics worships idols by having "images" in Churches.
906243
lee, while i understand your statement and request - many others do not.  the Blessed Virgin has appeared numerous times to people begging for their prayers - for the conversion of poor sinners, peace int he country and other things.  Her greatest request is that people know and love her Son Jesus Christ.  I am a staunch Catholic, named for our  Beloved Lady, however, i was never taught or thought that she ever wanted her own recognition - her requests have always been that people love and come to Jesus - for He is the saviour.\n\nIn regards to the rosary - it is a powerful prayer tool.  my favorite is the Scriptural ROsary. it's a way to fully walk and remember the life of CHrist through HIs loving mothers eyes.  here is just one of the decades and a link to the rest below.\n\nGod BLess\nYSIC.\n\nThe Fourth Joyful Mystery - The Presentation\n\nOur Father ... \n\nObserving the Law of Moses, they took Jesus up to Jerusalem/ to present him to the Lord. \nLuke 2:22 \n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nNow in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon./ He was an upright and devout man. \nLuke 2:25 \n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nIt had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death/ until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. \nLuke 2:26 \n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nAnd when the parents brought in the child Jesus, he took him into his arms/ and blessed God. \nLuke 2:27-28 \n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n'Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,/ just as you promised.' \nLuke 2:29 \n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n'Because my eyes have seen the salvation/ which you have prepared for all the nations to see.' \nLuke 2:30-31 \n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n'A light to enlighten the pagans/ and the glory of your people Israel.' \nLuke 2:32 \n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nAnd he said to Mary his mother, 'You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel,/ destined to be a sign that is rejected.' \nLuke 2:34 \n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\n'And a sword will pierce your own soul too-/ so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.' \nLuke 2:35 \n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nAnd they went back to Nazareth, and the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom;/ and God's favor was with him. \nLuke 2:39-40
386331
That was ME. I thought that you would at least be HAPPY! Jeez, I always get happy when I get chosen for a best answer. Catholics are different from Christians because of how we pray. You guys pray directly to god. We pray to statues and things like my necklace with mother mary and Jesus. \n\nOh, yeah, sorry if I am being mean here, but if you think that I am odd or stupid or any other hurtful words, then that is just your opinion. Dont worry, I am used to it. I wasnt joking when I said "sorry if I was being here". May the lord himself smite me if I do.
1012402
You should not pray to Mary.  She was not divine, merely favored.  God is the only one...God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Trinity.
105513
I don't bash catholics, nor preach against it. I just don't understand why you pray to Mary, when Jesus never taught us to. When His disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray He said to pray like this, our Father which art in heaven......\nMary was blessed mother of Jesus, But Jesus said no one comes to the Father but by Me. \nI don't hate catholics, I just don't understand them, like many others. \nIt's good to have a forum like this to try to understand each other and their feelings. \nIt's a small world after all.
650602
The rosary is a Catholic tradition.  A few other Christians pray the rosary, but most do not.\n\nTradition has that St. Dominic was told this pray by Mary herself in a vision or dream around 1200.\n\nThe pray-er meditates on events in Christ's life while saying certain prayers.\n\nSome non-Catholic protestants are against prayers to saints, Mary, or anyone deceased.  Some are against any "rote" or memorized prayer and against repetitious prayer.  \n\nCatholics believe that it is both Biblical and traditional that saints can "intercede" and pray to God about us.  Detailed explanation in the sites listed below.\n\nInteresting note: it is not a necessity for Catholics to believe in or practice "sacramentals" (including the rosary) to be Catholic, but the rosary is church-approved.  \n\n(Sacramentals are traditions approved by the Church, while Sacraments are the things instituted by Christ himself)
440648
That is nowhere in the Bible, it says that she found favor in God's eyes. So did several other people in the Bible, but they made mistakes, they were only human. Mary was just the woman God chose to give birth to Jesus, she wasn't sinless, just favored.
1171892
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. (These are the words the angel Gabriel said to Mary, a Bible quote.)\n\nBlessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. (This is Mary's cousin Elizabeth's greeting, another bible quote.)\n\nHoly Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. (The request to pray for us.)\n\nIt is the Scriptures inspired by God, not the Catholic Church, that positively states that God thinks of Mary so highly.\n\nThe person described by God in this way is just a little different from the rest of us. \n\nCatholics believe this difference is because she was conceived without the taint of original sin (the Immaculate Conception) and committed no personal sin.\n\nMary is, of course, not God. But just like any other saint in heaven or on earth (the Communion of Saints), she also can pray to God for us.\n\nWith love in Christ.