Questions for Catholics (not argument)

[Jawa Man]

For a while now I've really been wondering about Catholic and Greek Orthodox beliefs. It's occured to me that I should hold much more respect for these two older churches, since Protestantism is... well, new. Obviously the older would know more than the newer. But I also have problems with some of the theology, but then again, I am not an expert on Catholic theology, so some of my assumptions may be wrong.

1) What's with praying to the saints? Why is this a practice that (at least by my knowledge) was not in the early church? Does the Catholic church accept any of these saints as products of legend, like that guy who killed the dragon?

2) Why is Mary venerated so much? Jesus seems to take away attention from His mother in Scripture.
And it happened, while He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb which bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!" But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"
(Luk 11:27-28)
And while He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You." But He answered and said to him that told Him, "Who is My mother? And who are My brothers?" And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold; My mother, and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."
(Mat 12:46-50)

3) Why can't priests be married? Didn't even Paul say he and the Apostles had the right to be married?
Do we have no right to take along a wife who is a sister, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
(1Co 9:5)

4) Why is it people of other beliefs can be saved according to their beliefs? Doesn't this mean there is no point to evangelizing?

5) Do I really have to confess my sins to a priest when Jesus, as my High Priest, already hears them and intercedes for me?

6) Are there deathbed conversions even though the one dying cannot do any works, being in their current state?

7) When did the Orthodox church start branching away from Catholicism? Is there proof that they had Catholic practices before the Excommunication?

8) Was the Pope right when he said all who fought and died in the Crusades on the Christian side would instantly go to Heaven? That sounds kind of like Osama going to the land of virgins for blowing himself up.

9) Why does the Pope support evolution when the Bible clearly takes the Creation stance? Actually, I've heard that some people think he never said he supported evolution at all.

10) Aren't the saint statues kind of like idols? Does the one praying see himself as praying to the saint with the statue just representing him, or does he really see the statue signifying more?

Finally, 11) Is there much of a difference between the Greek and Latin church? I always thought there were only a few differences, but the Latin church excommunicated the Emperor anyway. And is it possible for these churches to reunite?

Thanks to anyone who reponds. I think I might do a similar thread on Greek Orthodox...y? ...ism? .... too. Though who knows when.

[spl_cadet]

1) What's with praying to the saints?

It's kind of like asking your friends to pray for you. The difference is that these people are in Heaven. And as far as Catholics are concerned, their location is the only difference.


Why is this a practice that (at least by my knowledge) was not in the early church?

Sub tuum praesidium confúgimus, sancta Dei Génitrix; nostras deprecatiónes ne despicias in necessitátibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriósa et benedicta.

We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our prayers in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O glorious and ever-blessed Virgin.

Date: Third century.


Does the Catholic church accept any of these saints as products of legend, like that guy who killed the dragon?

No, though many mythical and legendary stories can and do develop around them.


2) Why is Mary venerated so much?

Luke 1:42
In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!


Jesus seems to take away attention from His mother in Scripture.
And it happened, while He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb which bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!" But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"
(Luk 11:27-28)
And while He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You." But He answered and said to him that told Him, "Who is My mother? And who are My brothers?" And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold; My mother, and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."
(Mat 12:46-50)

He's not denigrating His mother, but rather emphasizing a point. In the first, the blessedness of those who accept the Word of God (and considering that the Word of God came to Earth through her accepting God's word and keeping the Word, this should be a bit more obvious as not dishonoring her). In the second, He emphasizes our nature as the adopted children of God when we enter into the Church.


3) Why can't priests be married? Didn't even Paul say he and the Apostles had the right to be married?
Do we have no right to take along a wife who is a sister, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
(1Co 9:5)

It's a discipline that we've kept for about 1600 years in the Western Church (the Eastern Churches, both those in and out of communion with Rome, allow married men to become priests, but once ordained you may not marry; in addition, their bishops are all single). We prefer that our priests be able to focus entirely on God and try to balance a family and their congregation.


4) Why is it people of other beliefs can be saved according to their beliefs? Doesn't this mean there is no point to evangelizing?

Not quite.


"Outside the Church there is no salvation"

846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers? Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:

Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.

847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.

848 "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men."



5) Do I really have to confess my sins to a priest when Jesus, as my High Priest, already hears them and intercedes for me?

John 20:21-23
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."


6) Are there deathbed conversions even though the one dying cannot do any works, being in their current state?

We don't believe in works-based salvation. (www.catholic-cadet.com/apol/works.html)


7) When did the Orthodox church start branching away from Catholicism?

The Great Schism started with the schism of Photius in the 9th century (and became final in 1054), but the East was always rather rebellious. In between First Nicea and the Photian schism, the East was not in communion with Rome every other year on average.


Is there proof that they had Catholic practices before the Excommunication?

Near identical theology. They do things the Eastern way of course (as do the Eastern Churches of the Catholic Church) and their mysticism is far more advanced than it is in the West, but we believe about 90% of the same things.


8) Was the Pope right when he said all who fought and died in the Crusades on the Christian side would instantly go to Heaven?

Well, if they were free of mortal sin, they would, under the conditions for that indulgence.


The punishments of sin

1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the "eternal punishment" of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the "temporal punishment" of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.84

1473 The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the "old man" and to put on the "new man."85

In the Communion of Saints

1474 The Christian who seeks to purify himself of his sin and to become holy with the help of God's grace is not alone. "The life of each of God's children is joined in Christ and through Christ in a wonderful way to the life of all the other Christian brethren in the supernatural unity of the Mystical Body of Christ, as in a single mystical person."86

1475 In the communion of saints, "a perennial link of charity exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth. between them there is, too, an abundant exchange of all good things."87 In this wonderful exchange, the holiness of one profits others, well beyond the harm that the sin of one could cause others. Thus recourse to the communion of saints lets the contrite sinner be more promptly and efficaciously purified of the punishments for sin.

1476 We also call these spiritual goods of the communion of saints the Church's treasury, which is "not the sum total of the material goods which have accumulated during the course of the centuries. On the contrary the 'treasury of the Church' is the infinite value, which can never be exhausted, which Christ's merits have before God. They were offered so that the whole of mankind could be set free from sin and attain communion with the Father. In Christ, the Redeemer himself, the satisfactions and merits of his Redemption exist and find their efficacy."88

1477 "This treasury includes as well the prayers and good works of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They are truly immense, unfathomable, and even pristine in their value before God. In the treasury, too, are the prayers and good works of all the saints, all those who have followed in the footsteps of Christ the Lord and by his grace have made their lives holy and carried out the mission in the unity of the Mystical Body."89

Obtaining indulgence from God through the Church

1478 An indulgence is obtained through the Church who, by virtue of the power of binding and loosing granted her by Christ Jesus, intervenes in favor of individual Christians and opens for them the treasury of the merits of Christ and the saints to obtain from the Father of mercies the remission of the temporal punishments due for their sins. Thus the Church does not want simply to come to the aid of these Christians, but also to spur them to works of devotion, penance, and charity.90

1479 Since the faithful departed now being purified are also members of the same communion of saints, one way we can help them is to obtain indulgences for them, so that the temporal punishments due for their sins may be remitted.




9) Why does the Pope support evolution when the Bible clearly takes the Creation stance? Actually, I've heard that some people think he never said he supported evolution at all.

The pope has said that it is permissable to believe in a form of theistic evolution. However, it is de fide that Adam and Eve were the two original humans and that all humanity descended from them and that they were created by God.


10) Aren't the saint statues kind of like idols? Does the one praying see himself as praying to the saint with the statue just representing him, or does he really see the statue signifying more?

Here's what the Second Nicean Council said.


One of these is the production of representational art; this is quite in harmony with the history of the spread of the gospel, as it provides confirmation that the becoming man of the Word of God was real and not just imaginary, and as it brings us a similar benefit. For, things that mutually illustrate one another undoubtedly possess one another's message.

Given this state of affairs and stepping out as though on the royal highway, following as we are
# the God-spoken teaching of our holy fathers and
# the tradition of the catholic church --
# for we recognize that this tradition comes from the holy Spirit who dwells in her--
we decree with full precision and care that,
# like the figure of the honoured and life-giving cross,
# the revered and holy images,
# whether painted or
# made of mosaic
# or of other suitable material,
are to be exposed
# in the holy churches of God,
# on sacred instruments and vestments,
# on walls and panels,
# in houses and by public ways,
these are the images of
# our Lord, God and saviour, Jesus Christ, and of
# our Lady without blemish, the holy God-bearer, and of
# the revered angels and of
# any of the saintly holy men.

The more frequently they are seen in representational art, the more are those who see them drawn to remember and long for those who serve as models, and to pay these images the tribute of salutation and respectful veneration. Certainly this is not the full adoration {latria} in accordance with our faith, which is properly paid only to the divine nature, but it resembles that given to the figure of the honoured and life-giving cross, and also to the holy books of the gospels and to other sacred cult objects. Further, people are drawn to honour these images with the offering of incense and lights, as was piously established by ancient custom. Indeed, the honour paid to an image traverses it, reaching the model, and he who venerates the image, venerates the person represented in that image.

Veneration means honor.


Finally, 11) Is there much of a difference between the Greek and Latin church?

In terms of how we worship and how we look at things, yes. In terms of theology, there isn't much. Probably 90% of our theology is the same.


I always thought there were only a few differences, but the Latin church excommunicated the Emperor anyway.

We excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople for spreading vile lies about Rome, closing Latin churches in Constantinople, and desecrating the Eucharist.


And is it possible for these churches to reunite?

Possible, but not likely this side of the Second Coming. The East has a very strong anti-Latin bias.

[Jude3b]

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their Fruits. ... Even so every good Tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. ... Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
What is the fruit we are seeing for this Roman Catholic religion? 11,000 cases of sexual abuse upon children by Roman Catholic priests, in the United States alone (announced on Nightline 2/27/04). That is their fruit today.

thread starter wanted Catholic responses

[spl_cadet]

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their Fruits. ... Even so every good Tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. ... Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
What is the fruit we are seeing for this Roman Catholic religion? 11,000 cases of sexual abuse upon children by Roman Catholic priests, in the United States alone (announced on Nightline 2/27/04). That is their fruit today.

1. That's the fruit of the Modernist heresy which is unfortunately rather prevalent in the American Church.
2. 11,000 alleged cases. Not proven, but alleged.

[Jude3b]

11,000 make believe cases I suppose...

:offtopic:

[NoeticPenguin]

Jude3b, This is an informative thread, not a debate thread. For the record, None of the threads are for the strict purpose of bashing Roman catholic Christians.

-Pkj (who really wishes he had moderator powers right about now).

[brother vinny]

11,000 make believe cases I suppose...

As in non-Church related child molestation cases, some are real, some aren't. Many alleged child molestation cases are instances of the child seeking attention.

I agree with cadet on this one: the Church should never have relaxed her guidelines, in the U.S. or elsewhere, on who is eligible to enter the priesthood.

[Jude3b]

How large would the number have to be before you guys recognize that the fruit of this religion is bad? Obviously 11,000 is not enough for you guys, because maybe a few of those are false claims. Of course, we cannot count the ones who did not report the abuse, but no need to mention those. There is nothing that this religion could do wrong because it is your idol.

[spl_cadet]

How large would the number have to be before you guys recognize that the fruit of this religion is bad?

Large enough to be an actual wide-spread problem among the orthodox, not the Modernist heretics.


Obviously 11,000 is not enough for you guys, because maybe a few of those are false claims.

Because maybe most are. A good many are single accusations that are 30-50 years old, often with the priest dead.

[Jawa Man]

Thanks for the information.

If it doesn't trouble you, I have more questions for you to answer.

So tell me if I have this correct- Catholics receive the "first grace", which is not achieved by works, as St. Thomas Aquinas showed, but is achieved by faith... and then the faith pushes the Catholic to do works, which is evidence of justification.

How many graces does a Catholic receive after the first grace?

Was the Catholic Church justified in persecuting heretics, witches, holding the Inquisition, and giving secular orders like the invasion of Ireland?

Similar to the above, did the excommunication of the Byzantines really justify the Crusaders sack of Constantinople?

Do Catholics see the invasion by the Muslims of the Byzantines to be an act of God, to punish them for their heresy?

Does the Catholic Church allow Preterism (belief that we're in the not-literal 1000 year reign)?

Do you have any earlier evidence of the veneration of saints?

Why wasn't saint veneration mentioned in the Bible?

If saints are there to be asked to pray for you, why do saints specialize in certain things, like Luke being prayed to for healing (at least I think healing, correct me if wrong)?

What do you think of the God + local gods Catholic believers in South America?

Are Catholics against Protestant evangelism?

Thanks for your time.

[spl_cadet]

Thanks for the information.

If it doesn't trouble you, I have more questions for you to answer.

So tell me if I have this correct- Catholics receive the "first grace", which is not achieved by works, as St. Thomas Aquinas showed, but is achieved by faith... and then the faith pushes the Catholic to do works, which is evidence of justification.

Yes.


How many graces does a Catholic receive after the first grace?

As many as God gives them.


Was the Catholic Church justified in persecuting heretics, witches, holding the Inquisition, and giving secular orders like the invasion of Ireland?

With regards to Ireland, it's quite possible that the bulls supposedly authorizing the invasion were forged.
With regards to everything else, I address you to Saint Aquinas on the matter. (http://www.newadvent.org/summa/301103.htm)


Similar to the above, did the excommunication of the Byzantines really justify the Crusaders sack of Constantinople?

The Crusaders were excommunicated for that act and the only reason they went there anyhow is the greed of the Venetians and a lack of money on their part (otherwise they'd have hit Egypt).


Do Catholics see the invasion by the Muslims of the Byzantines to be an act of God, to punish them for their heresy?

Nope.


Does the Catholic Church allow Preterism (belief that we're in the not-literal 1000 year reign)?

Not full-preterism, but partial preterism is fine.


Do you have any earlier evidence of the veneration of saints?

Not that I can think of, though I can probably find some.


Why wasn't saint veneration mentioned in the Bible?

Explicity? Because (with a few exceptions) all of the early saints were still alive.


If saints are there to be asked to pray for you, why do saints specialize in certain things, like Luke being prayed to for healing (at least I think healing, correct me if wrong)?

It's usually based on their life, and it's because they'd be a logical person to go to for help (Luke was a doctor, St. Joseph was a carpenter, etc) or people started associating them with a certain thing (St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes because he was the one that you prayed to last, because of the similarity to Judas).


What do you think of the God + local gods Catholic believers in South America?

:heretic:


Are Catholics against Protestant evangelism?

Only when it is against us.

[Jawa Man]

Well, strangely the Catholic view of how to gain salvation is... well... basically the one I had already. This is getting creepy...
As many as God gives them.
When does God give these graces?
With regards to Ireland, it's quite possible that the bulls supposedly authorizing the invasion were forged. Could you give me a link or something? btw... that's very interesting...
And St. Thomas Aquinas seems like he was one smart cookie, though I don't really agree with him about killing heretics before a court.
The Crusaders were excommunicated for that act and the only reason they went there anyhow is the greed of the Venetians and a lack of money on their part (otherwise they'd have hit Egypt). That's even more interesting than the thing about Ireland. It reminds me of an account I read by a Venetian witness of the Siege of Constantinople in 1453. The Doge (?) of Venice didn't want to get involved since (iirc) the Emporer wouldn't marry his daughter.
Do you think if the Byzantines were Catholic, they would have defeated the Muslims?
Not full-preterism, but partial preterism is fine. Even more interesting...
Not that I can think of, though I can probably find some. I'd appreciate it.
Explicity? Because (with a few exceptions) all of the early saints were still alive. When was the tradition started? And do some Catholics not pray to the saints at all?
It's usually based on their life, and it's because they'd be a logical person to go to for help (Luke was a doctor, St. Joseph was a carpenter, etc) or people started associating them with a certain thing (St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes because he was the one that you prayed to last, because of the similarity to Judas). Does it really matter though? I mean, if I wanted to, could I go to Saint Peter when I pray, even about medical stuff?
:heretic: AMEN! :lol:
Only when it is against us.But do you see it as the advancement of the Kingdom of God, or a distraction from the True Lis... I mean, faith?

[spl_cadet]

When does God give these graces?

When and where He chooses them. However, a certain means of attaining graces is through participating in the sacraments. A sacrament is a physical means through which grace is conferred. Sacramentals are ways of receiving grace. Examples would be Holy Water, prayer, the giving of alms, etc.


Could you give me a link or something? btw... that's very interesting...

I don't happen to have a link explaining in detail why it suspected of forgery by some, but the main reason is that there's no signiture on the early manuscripts.


Do you think if the Byzantines were Catholic, they would have defeated the Muslims?


Almost certainly, especially as the counter-attack against the Muslim invasions would have been much earlier.


Even more interesting...

Dr. Scott Hahn, who's a quite famous Catholic (and a professor at the college I'm hoping to transfer to :smile:) holds to a bit of preterism.


I'd appreciate it.

"[The Shepherd said:] ‘But those who are weak and slothful in prayer, hesitate to ask anything from the Lord; but the Lord is full of compassion, and gives without fail to all who ask him. But you, [Hermas,] having been strengthened by the holy angel [you saw], and having obtained from him such intercession, and not being slothful, why do not you ask of the Lord understanding, and receive it from him?’" (The Shepherd 3:5:4 [A.D. 80]).

Angels are saints too. :smile:

The case can also be made that prayer for the saints (strictly speaking, veneration of the saints simply means giving them honor) conducted in 2 Timothy 1:16-18.


When was the tradition started?

Handed down by the apostles.


And do some Catholics not pray to the saints at all?

/me raises hand


Does it really matter though? I mean, if I wanted to, could I go to Saint Peter when I pray, even about medical stuff?

Correct.


But do you see it as the advancement of the Kingdom of God, or a distraction from the True Lis... I mean, faith?

Advancement of the Kingdom of God, for they are brought that much closer to the truth. And when they are baptized, and are ignorant of the nature of the Catholic Church (that it is the Church founded by Christ), they are brought into a certain, though imperfect, union with the Church. Which makes it much more possible that they'd go to Heaven (invincible ignorance being the only reason that they'd go to Heaven otherwise, here it's simply invincible ignorance of the Church, not of Christ Himself).

[Columba]

For a while now I've really been wondering about Catholic and Greek Orthodox beliefs. It's occured to me that I should hold much more respect for these two older churches, since Protestantism is... well, new. Obviously the older would know more than the newer. But I also have problems with some of the theology, but then again, I am not an expert on Catholic theology, so some of my assumptions may be wrong.

1) What's with praying to the saints? Why is this a practice that (at least by my knowledge) was not in the early church? Does the Catholic church accept any of these saints as products of legend, like that guy who killed the dragon?

2) Why is Mary venerated so much? Jesus seems to take away attention from His mother in Scripture.
And it happened, while He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb which bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!" But He said, "More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"
(Luk 11:27-28)
And while He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. Then one said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You." But He answered and said to him that told Him, "Who is My mother? And who are My brothers?" And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold; My mother, and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."
(Mat 12:46-50)

3) Why can't priests be married? Didn't even Paul say he and the Apostles had the right to be married?
Do we have no right to take along a wife who is a sister, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
(1Co 9:5)

4) Why is it people of other beliefs can be saved according to their beliefs? Doesn't this mean there is no point to evangelizing?

5) Do I really have to confess my sins to a priest when Jesus, as my High Priest, already hears them and intercedes for me?

6) Are there deathbed conversions even though the one dying cannot do any works, being in their current state?

7) When did the Orthodox church start branching away from Catholicism? Is there proof that they had Catholic practices before the Excommunication?

8) Was the Pope right when he said all who fought and died in the Crusades on the Christian side would instantly go to Heaven? That sounds kind of like Osama going to the land of virgins for blowing himself up.

9) Why does the Pope support evolution when the Bible clearly takes the Creation stance? Actually, I've heard that some people think he never said he supported evolution at all.

10) Aren't the saint statues kind of like idols? Does the one praying see himself as praying to the saint with the statue just representing him, or does he really see the statue signifying more?

Finally, 11) Is there much of a difference between the Greek and Latin church? I always thought there were only a few differences, but the Latin church excommunicated the Emperor anyway. And is it possible for these churches to reunite?

Thanks to anyone who reponds. I think I might do a similar thread on Greek Orthodox...y? ...ism? .... too. Though who knows when.
Hello! I'm new here so please forgive any mistakes I make in the format...
I'm Eastern Orthodox, so I will try very hard to give you my perspective although I expect that other than matters of perhaps historical perspective, I will not differ very much from the Catholics here.
My answers which are not worth very much: :teeth:

1. Praying to saints: We believe that the saints and the Saints, if you know what I mean, are very much alive with God today, right now. They can hear us when we ask them to pray for us. If people don't pray in Heaven, I cannot imagine what else they might be doing.
We believe that they are closer to God since they are already there, and since they are there, they are very much dear to God's Heart, and that He will answer their prayers for us. Saints are "considered" for cannonization over a long period of time. In Orthodoxy, it often might take a couple hundred years for our Bishops and theologians to determine whether or not they are "Saints" with a big S. They are very cautious about it. In short, the Saints are our "heroes" who have succeeded in "putting on Christ". That's why all our icons of Saints, generally bear a strong resemblance in facial features to the icons of Jesus....they have successfully imitated Him by putting Him first in their lives.

2. Veneration of Mary: The Nicene Creed is very specific about Jesus being born of Mary and goes on to talk about who she is...this, in addition to our veneration of her, protects us against two major heresies: 1) that Jesus was only a Man born of "only an ordinary woman"...therefore no biggie, just another human prophet and 2) that Jesus did not have a fully human nature. That He was completely God and incapable of understanding Man. This is very important to us. We also draw our veneration from Mary from the Bible. Veneration does not mean "letraiou" ( think I spelled that right) which means "worship" in Greek and is reserved for God alone. It just means that we honor her very much, she, being the Mother of Jesus, and since we are "adopted children" of God, become Her "adopted children" also...she cares very much for us and our salvation and constantly points to her Son as our Salvation.

3. Married clergy: In Orthodoxy priests are allowed to be married. They must have married before ordination. But they can be married. Bishops are not married.

4. Salvation issue: "God shall show mercy upon whom He shall show mercy." romans. This means that God is all merciful and He takes into account what we as limited and sinful human beings do not...He knows all the circumstances regarding a person's state; we sinful human beings do not. We just aren't supposed to speculate on who is saved and who not. We are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Orthodoxy does not engage in "fiery" evangelism.

5. Confession: It's not popular, especially among "free thinking, independent" people of the West. But we see it as "spiritual psychology". In Orthodoxy, the only forgiver of sins is God. We confess before the Priest, as according to Scripture: "confess ye one to another". The Priest does not forgive us, but declares on God's behalf that we are forgiven by God.

6. Yes. Orthodoxy teaches that those who come at the 11th hour are just as precious as those who arrive earlier to the "party"....we believe that God's grace is ever present and ever ready!
:)

7. This split was official in 1054 AD. I don't want to go much there, because I love my Catholic brothers and sisters and simply agree to disagree on the issue of "which history is correct." But I am stating the Orthodox view.

8. I cannot comment here. I am not Latin rite. therefore I have no right to any opinion on this matter.

9. Same as 8. No right to an opinion here.

10. Partially have no right to an opinion. Orthodox do not have statues. We have icons however, and no I do not pray to them anymore than Protestants pray to "hymn number 385: Amazing Grace". I simply venerate the memory of that Saint. If it is an icon of Jesus, I am praying directly to Him when I kiss His image.

11. Yes, there are many differences. It is possible that a future Council could occur and we could all be united. I believe that with God, all things are possible.

Hope this helps! :)

[Jawa Man]

I think just for fun, we should have a good old fashioned Protestant v Catholic... and for a limited time only, v Orthodox war! It would be a great way to show who the true church is... the one who wins the war!

[Jawa Man]

And, woah! Columba...

First on salvation - our "fiery" evangelicals are not always "filled-with-emotion altar call, now go, sin again." At least in my Protestant church, we're all about sticking with the person who made the descision to be forgiven, getting them on the right path so they can start making fruit for God. But I do admit, there are a lot of preachers just plant seeds and run. There's this big youth thing where I live called Superbowl. It happens in the Pepsi Arena every Fall. They get some speaker by Youth For Christ to come in, preach for an hour, and each time hundreds are "saved." But then, right after, we go right into games. Funny thing is, I saw much more phone number gatherers than I did Christ followers during this time.

Also, not all westerners are like you said they are in #5 about confessions. There have been many times where I did a sin that I knew I had to let out. Of course, I did try to justify my way out of it, but in the end, if I didn't reveal it at first, it was revealed later, and not necessarily by me. I agree that some things have to come out, otherwise you can let the sin grow in the darkness. I think The Scarlet Letter is a good book about that.

But thanks for the response!