The Catholic Church probably gives more to charity than most other groups in the world. Some Christians (and non-Christians would love it if we stripped our Churches & Cathedrals of the things pointing to Heavenly realities, but it would never be enough. It still would not satisfy them.
God designed the Ark of the Old Covenant. He did not make it out of simple materials. He even told them to ornate it with statues of Cherubim. You can read about this in Exodus 25.
Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant. Jesus was born into poverty. And yet, He was the greatest King to ever live. Our Churches are ornate, because it points to a greater reality. The awe and beauty of our Churches point to the deeper beauty and depth of God’s love. It takes your breath away. It is meant to humble us. That is why the doors of well-designed Churches are very large and heavy. The steps elevating us as we enter into these Sacred places of Worship are meant to humble any human (including earthly kings and leaders). Because God is greater!
How much would be enough? Do you have a dollar amount? How much?
I agree with you that covering up abuses is wrong. I think most Christian Churches plagued by sin & scandal would agree with you and me.
The LDS Bishops often will sit their members down and go through their finances with them and figure out how much in tithing they ought to be giving to the Church. Catholic Christians do not do this. We believe in an offering.
Though the Bible does give the example of giving a tenth, it is not commanded in the New Testament, but was mandated in the Old Testament under the Mosaic Law.
The Catholic Christian Church does not teach the Prosperity Gospel that some Evangelical or Pentecostal Churches preach either.
Jesus does teach a parable about a woman who gave all that she had and how this offering was greater than someone who could afford to give more, but the percentage of what they give is much less. It isn’t about how much one gives, but by what faith they give. Jesus told a rich man who did all the things required of him, but who loved his status symbols too much to sell all of his stuff and give it to the poor. The man could not give up these things that stroked his own ego and walked away sad.
Catholic Christians are encouraged to give God 10 percent, whether that is to your local Parish, or to Catholic Charities, or a combination of such.
The Knights of Columbus is also a great charitable organization that does a lot of good in our communities. I encourage Catholic men to join the KofC or to support their efforts financially if they are active in your Parish.
Christians are called to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, care for the sick, among other charitable things. That means either with your time and/or treasure.
Catholic Christians do not believe Mary forgives sins. You have been told something that isn’t true.
Will you delete all pictures on your phone and in your photo albums? Will you also tell God that He was wrong to tell His faithful to put statues of cherubim on the Ark of the Old Covenant?
Not going to happen. The State of Israel (founded in 1948) has nothing to do with the abuse of indulgences.
My Wife’s Mom was raised Pentecostal. She was very anti-Catholic when I met her. She, like you, was taught a lot of false things about the Catholic Christian Church. It isn’t her fault, but rather the environment she was raised in.
I do commend you for asking questions here. Many do not give us the respect to actually find out what we believe and why we believe it. So, good on you for this. What other things have you been told about Catholic Christians?
When the Japanese bow to one another in greeting, do are they worshiping one another?
What about those who take off their hat and pledge allegiance to a flag? Idolatry? For some, it kind of is.
We do not worship statues as deities. Statues are not alive. Like photographs, statues remind us of historical figures and loved ones. We do not worship these individuals. We do honor them though.
If you read Matthew 23:9 properly, you will understand that Jesus is not saying that you should not call anyone “father.” His point is that there is only one God and He is above all other names. If you read the very next verse, Jesus also says to call no one “teacher.”
If you read 1 Corinthians 4:15, St. Paul refers to himself as a spiritual father.
If you read 1 Timothy 1:2, the Apostle Paul refers to Timothy as his “true son in the faith” and Titus as well (Titus 1:4).
St. Jerome (420 AD), who translated the entire Bible into Latin by hand, wrote the following in regards to the verse you misinterpret, “But, one might ask, ‘Is it against this precept when the Apostle calls himself the teacher of the Gentiles? Or when, as in colloquial speech widely found in the monasteries of Egypt and Palestine, they call each other Father?’” He answers no. “…This does not make the terms father and teacher useless or prevent others from being called father.”