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~Rachel~
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| Posted: July 27 2006 at 10:19am | IP Logged
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Praying to the saints came up recently in a discussion with some Protestant friends, one of whom asked me how we defend praying to dead people when the Bible specifically forbids speaking to the dead.
I was wondering, how would I go about defending us from this particular accusation?? 
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~Rachel~
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kristina
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Rachel,
You are not specifically "praying" TO saints. You are asking them to pray with you and for you. If they are a saint, the church is very confident that they are not "dead people." They are in heaven with Jesus - FOREVER.
As a convert, I have had lots of experience having to "defend" my faith. Apologetics was a huge focus of mine for quite a while. Yet, I sometimes still get tongue-tied when challenged about our Catholic Faith.
Catholic Answers has often been helpful. Here is an article titled "Praying to the Saints" from that site.
Blessings,
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~Rachel~
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| Posted: July 27 2006 at 12:10pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Kristina 
That is what I told them... that we prayed for their intercession... but still, trying to explain it to someone in an understandable way is hard
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~Rachel~
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MicheleQ
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~Rachel~ wrote:
Thanks Kristina
That is what I told them... that we prayed for their intercession... but still, trying to explain it to someone in an understandable way is hard |
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Catholics United for the Faith has a "Faith Facts" page on this topic that you can print and give to someone. here's the direct link
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Michele Quigley
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ALmom
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It is sometimes helpful to use analogies. Don't they ask for the intercession of their friends, their pastor, etc. Why does everyone want to be sure the pastor prays - is there not some sense of closeness to God so we ask those whom we have reason to believe are living lives close to God. Don't they believe that believers who have died, go to live with God. Why wouldn't we ask for their help when we know they are now living and very close to God. There is also a passage in the Bible about it being a wholesome thought to pray for the dead - in Maccabees. But this probably wouldn't be particularly helpful with a Protestant who may not recognize the canonicity of that particular book.
I know a friend of mine was asked about use of statues, etc. and because the response was such a natural and unplanned response I think it gave food for thought. She didn't see it as much different than what this person did every morning in her school. "I pledge allegience to the flag ..." Was it really the flag or the country?
I think sometimes if we can stand back from the initial defensiveness that is natural, we can relate to where they are and without trying to convince them of Catholicism necessarily - can at least bring about an understanding that so much is misconceptions.
Janet
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~Rachel~
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ALmom wrote:
I think sometimes if we can stand back from the initial defensiveness that is natural, we can relate to where they are and without trying to convince them of Catholicism necessarily - can at least bring about an understanding that so much is misconceptions.
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That is very true... I know I have had to stand up and tell people that we do NOT worship statues... and there are times when they STILL dont get it
Luckily for me, the friends I spoke of, were truly interested, not just trying to criticize
I like to think of these as opportunities for evangelism of a sorts... so I try to be accurate, but, probably because I am a cradle Catholic, I just dont know the answers 
Edited to Add: Thanks Michele, I passed on the leaflet
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marcie
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I had the opportunity to defend our faith to a couple of Jehovah Witnesses who came to my door one Saturday morning. I keep little ziplock bags next to my door that contain a blessed rosary and a pamphlet that explains the rosary. When they said to me, "We would like for you to read this" I, in turn, gave them a baggie and said "I would like for you to read this."
They were so surprised and the older man asked what religion I was. I told him we are Catholic and he said "Oh, I didn't know that you evangelized!" I told him, we are taught to evangelize whenever we can but we just don't go door to door. Our beliefs show in our daily lives.
Well, he asked me a few questions about confession and I was very proud of myself because it's the first time I felt comfortable and didn't stammer or stutter!
I must say......it was fun!!
I have learned alot from this forum and from Catholic sites on the internet. I feel that the Holy Spirit led me that day.
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Marcie Melancon
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alicegunther
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marcie wrote:
| I had the opportunity to defend our faith to a couple of Jehovah Witnesses who came to my door one Saturday morning. I keep little ziplock bags next to my door that contain a blessed rosary and a pamphlet that explains the rosary. When they said to me, "We would like for you to read this" I, in turn, gave them a baggie and said "I would like for you to read this." |
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Wow, I wish I had had this idea when I lived in the city and used to receive frequent visits. What a productive thing it would have been if I'd thought to evangelize myself.
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kristina
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I haven't had any J.W.'s back at our doorstep since the last time I chatted with them, I said "Did you know that the majority of your church is comprised of ex-catholics who were poorly catechized?" The man replied that he was raised catholic, himself. So I said "Then you need to come on home! Would you like to come back to Holy Mass on Sunday?"
He sort of changed the subject and gave me his Watchtower and such (I remember hearing that we ought to always take their materials so there are less to pass out to others..). I asked him to take the Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth booklet. Which he did, but I never heard from them again.
Blessings,
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MaryM
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kristina wrote:
| So I said "Then you need to come on home! Would you like to come back to Holy Mass on Sunday?" |
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Bravo, Kristina - that's a great line!
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Mary M. in Denver
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: When defending the faith...
