Catholicism

I recently attended a catholic funeral. Some of the catholic teachings are very strange to me. Some of their teachings have no basis in scripture; i.e., purgatory, the deification of Mary, transubstantiation. However, the catholic folks I know believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, died a sacrificial death, and was raised to life again. They believe that he is their Savior. Compared to that, I'm not sure the differences in beliefs are worth getting too worked up about.

One thing did impress me. There is a difference between churches catholic and protestant that is visually striking. Most Christian churches have one or many crosses prominently displayed. The difference is that catholic churches display a cross with the form of Jesus hanging on it. I don't think I've ever seen a protestant church that does. I think that small outward difference indicates quite a different emphasis on the work of Christ and on our condition as sinners.

I don't think the church I go to would want to have to look at that image of Christ's suffering and death as they sat through a service. It's too hard to tell yourself what a wonderful Christian you are with that staring you in the face. In general, and this is just my opinion, my catholic brothers and sisters seem to have a much more realistic view of our sinful human condition. Again, this could just be my perception, but I find many churches I've attended to simply be a stage where believers come to put their great faith and holiness on display. The idea of confession would never work in a protestant church because the believers are terrified of being thought of as sinners. "What would the Jones' think if they saw us going into the confessional booth?!"

P.S. I know that some say protestant churches don't have Jesus form on the cross because of "graven images" or because they want to view the cross as the symbol of Jesus victory over death. Well, I don't know why it's any more or less graven with or without Jesus form in it. We all know what the cross represents. But the second part I think is just loony. If you want his victory, then put an empty tomb on the wall. But don't take him off the cross. Remember that his death is our victory just as much as his resurrection. "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.--Isaiah 53:5