Encounters with famous people

[jakethasnake]

This is just for fun. I've had several run-ins with famous figures (actors, athletes, singers), but none was as moving as seeing the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church in person. Wow.

I saw the man in a Easter Communion ceremony in Rome. When he passed down the aisle of the small chapel next to the Vatican everyone was trying to rush the aisle to get a glimpse or even touch his shoulder as he went by. I managed to get within 10 feet of him, and it was a pretty darn cool experience. He looked very frail and tiny.

 

[Chewy Bagel]

Hehe let's talk religion

Anything else...lol

Anyhoo. I don't understand a couple of things about Catholicism.

1. Why pray to Mary and/or the saints? The bible says that there should be no other gods but me. The bible tells us a great deal about what we should and should not do and praying to Mary and the saints is no where in the bible. It's almost like praying to another "god". yes? no?

2. The bible says don't idolize anyone other than god. Why idolize a human being such as the pope? What makes him different than you & me besides him being elected as head of the church? He is merely a person who teaches - he is not a person who can get you into heaven by you being close to him. He is no different than any other paster, preacher, rabbi, sage, magi, etc? IMO, just because a group of people consider him "holy", why does that group-think make worth of being prayed to (if he is made into a saint)? Is it like seeing the president of the USA? - then I can understand.

My parents were hard-core bible christians and brought me up that way - it's christianity without the organized religion. We have a pastor with a PH.d who teaches a sermon based on certain passages of the bible. No one treats him any differently - he's just a guy who helps people understand what the bible means.

I don't practice any religion currently.

Please help me understand.

 

[CLOONEY]

Originally posted by Chewy Bagel
Hehe let's talk religion

Anything else...lol

Anyhoo. I don't understand a couple of things about Catholicism.

1. Why pray to Mary and/or the saints? The bible says that there should be no other gods but me. The bible tells us a great deal about what we should and should not do and praying to Mary and the saints is no where in the bible. It's almost like praying to another "god". yes? no?

2. The bible says don't idolize anyone other than god. Why idolize a human being such as the pope? What makes him different than you & me besides him being elected as head of the church? He is merely a person who teaches - he is not a person who can get you into heaven by you being close to him. He is no different than any other paster, preacher, rabbi, sage, magi, etc? IMO, just because a group of people consider him "holy", why does that group-think make worth of being prayed to (if he is made into a saint)? Is it like seeing the president of the USA? - then I can understand.

My parents were hard-core bible christians and brought me up that way - it's christianity without the organized religion. We have a pastor with a PH.d who teaches a sermon based on certain passages of the bible. No one treats him any differently - he's just a guy who helps people understand what the bible means.

I don't practice any religion currently.

Please help me understand.

OMG, turn a legit post into a religeous thread. Although I have to say I agree with you completely!

Which famous people have I met, MANY MANY MANY. Infact I am not going to bother naming them. Most are here in Australia, which I am sure you Americans would not have even heard of, but also in my couple of trips around the world I met many more, in the US mainly famous boxers, television personalities etc

 

[ToddRodd]

I live in New York........................... nuf said.

 

[bonjove]

Originally posted by jakethasnake
He looked very frail and tiny.

I know atleast 2 people that have seen the pope in person and they both told me the same thing. One guy said that when he spoke it was almost as if they had to prop him up onto a stick he was so hunched over.