 | Blogs > Cathoholic > My Blog > Catholic Church never changed 10 commandments. |
|
|||
|
I hear this one ALL the time, so I thought I'd set the record straight. Many times many people have posted how the big bad evil star wars like intergalactic empire (The Catholic Church) changed the 10 commandments so they could worship Statues! and the Virgin Mary instead of God! This is a very absurd claim (as being a Catholic I know we don't worship statues or Mary). I t gets old like a broken record having to repeat the lies that certain Protestants tell their congregations. However, today I am going to set the record straight on exactly why the 10 Commandments of the Catholic Church do not APPEAR to be the same as the ones the Protestant Church uses. The 7th day adventist group is one that constantly uses this criticism as well as one that we changed the say of the Sabbath. But I will get into that subject on a later date. The Catholic Church never "Changed" any part of the commandments. Rather, the difference between how Catholics and Protestants number the commandments stems from the issue of how we interpret the prohibition on idolatry in Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-8. Lets look at how the Catholic Church numbers the commandments. I. Thou shalt have no strange God's before me. II. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. III. Keep holy the sabbath. IV. Honor your father and your mother. V. Thou shalt not kill VI. Thou shalt not commit adultery. VII. Thou shalt not steal. VIII. Thou shalt not bear false witness. IX. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife. X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors goods. Protestants however number them differently, resulting in a discrepancy: I. Thou shalt have no strange God's before me. II. Thou shalt not carve graven images. III. Thou shalt not take trhe name of the Lord thy God in vain. IV. Keep holy the sabbath. V. Honor your father and your mother. VI. Thou shalt not kill. VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery. VIII. Thou shalt not steal. IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness. X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, and thou shalt not covet they neighbor's goods. The first commandment is against idolatry of any kind, including statue worship. So it's senseless to divide it, as Protestants do, into two separate commandments. To worship a graven image as an idol is the exact same sin as "having strange gods" before God himself. The other discrepancy arises when Protestants incorrectly combine two different sins into a single commandment. "Thou shalt not covet they neighbor's wife, and thou shalt not covet they neighbors goods". The problem here is that coveting your neighbors wife is in the category of the sin of lust, while coveting his goods is in the category of theft. The Catholic Church condemns as idolatry any form of statue worship or superstition. It also recognizes that there is legitimate religious use for statues and icons that is NOT offensive to God. I will get into that in a later blog. For right now, just know that it is not the Catholic Church that changed the commandments. |
||
4/23/2008 1:00 pm |
Welcome to blogging.GBY Please remember to keep our soldiers in your prayers!!! Kristy
| ||
4/23/2008 4:30 pm |
Thanks heheh..
| ||
4/24/2008 8:04 pm |
I agree with what you're saying!! Guess I better, huh??? Being a fellow Catholic and all!!  My Mom (and I use her as an example because she is big on statutes) says that statues are just a reminder of our faith and show others we are religious.....just as one might display statutes of dogs....for their love of that type of animal....religious statutes shows our love of Jesus or Mary, or Joseph!!! But in no way is it idoltry. I'm not sure why but I've not taken after my family to display statutes in my home....but I do have a crucifix hanged over every doorway! (Blessed of course)! God Bless!! Hey, can I ask you a question....I've seen several times here around the blogs the use of "my Daddy" and I believe it's being used instead of our Father or God, Jesus or Lord.......I'm not sure I'm liking it so much. To me I just think it's so less respectful of the MOST HIGH!!! I've not been around blogging or where really in-depth multi-religious conversations are had so I don't know where it comes from!
| ||
4/24/2008 9:18 pm |
I agree with what you're saying!! Guess I better, huh??? Being a fellow Catholic and all!! My Mom (and I use her as an example because she is big on statutes) says that statues are just a reminder of our faith and show others we are religious.....just as one might display statutes of dogs....for their love of that type of animal....religious statutes shows our love of Jesus or Mary, or Joseph!!! But in no way is it idoltry. I'm not sure why but I've not taken after my family to display statutes in my home....but I do have a crucifix hanged over every doorway! (Blessed of course)! God Bless!! Hey, can I ask you a question....I've seen several times here around the blogs the use of "my Daddy" and I believe it's being used instead of our Father or God, Jesus or Lord.......I'm not sure I'm liking it so much. To me I just think it's so less respectful of the MOST HIGH!!! I've not been around blogging or where really in-depth multi-religious conversations are had so I don't know where it comes from! Well, I used to actually have a statue of Saint Michael the Archangel in my room (I broke it while I was trying to straighten up my room like the klutz that I am!) I have never understood why people find religious statues offensive. Whenever people bring it up I simply pose the question "Do you have pictures of people that you love?" Well of course people do! I see statues and religious paintings to be exactly that. Really quite harmless, and it helps to preserve and re-enforce our heritage as Christians. Clearly we know the difference between a statue and God. If i had room in my humble apartment I certainly would put up more statues and paintings =). Now concerning your question, frankly this is the first time I have ever heard of anyone referring to God as "My Daddy". I agree with you that I am not to crazy about people referring to God in that manner. The reason why? Simply put I think it's a sign of great irreverance. Even if the person does not intentionally mean to be irreverent, we are talking about the King of the Universe, and the one who has given us a chance at redemption. His name is Holy and should be treated with the highest form of honor. I think the problem here is that people tend to view God as their "buddy" first and their God second. Calling God by such a childish reference seems to downplay his role as God the Father. Would we call Jesus our brother? Why yes, sure we would, that is in a way who we are, his brothers and sisters. However, we would probably still refer to him as "Our Lord" more often then we would "brother". Sure thats what he is but I think we can do better then that. Anyway thanks for commenting on the blog.
| ||
4/24/2008 9:24 pm |
I agree with what you're saying!! Guess I better, huh??? Being a fellow Catholic and all!! My Mom (and I use her as an example because she is big on statutes) says that statues are just a reminder of our faith and show others we are religious.....just as one might display statutes of dogs....for their love of that type of animal....religious statutes shows our love of Jesus or Mary, or Joseph!!! But in no way is it idoltry. I'm not sure why but I've not taken after my family to display statutes in my home....but I do have a crucifix hanged over every doorway! (Blessed of course)! God Bless!! Hey, can I ask you a question....I've seen several times here around the blogs the use of "my Daddy" and I believe it's being used instead of our Father or God, Jesus or Lord.......I'm not sure I'm liking it so much. To me I just think it's so less respectful of the MOST HIGH!!! I've not been around blogging or where really in-depth multi-religious conversations are had so I don't know where it comes from! The Hebrew word for father is "abba' which is more intimate and denotes more familiarity than the way we think of as "Father" but doesn't mean"Daddy'either.Daddy seems rather disrespectful to me also.Although we have an intimate relationship with God I believe we should still show the proper respect that is due him.Even though we have a personal relationship with him,He is still God and we are still men created by him.Calling God the Father "Daddy'just doesn't come across very glorifying to Him as He should always inspire awe in us just for who he is and how great His mercies.Just my opinion.
| ||
4/24/2008 10:23 pm |
I've noticed that too and am not too fond of the way it sounds either but then I am not being addressed. The Hebrew word for father is "abba' which is more intimate and denotes more familiarity than the way we think of as "Father" but doesn't mean"Daddy'either.Daddy seems rather disrespectful to me also.Although we have an intimate relationship with God I believe we should still show the proper respect that is due him.Even though we have a personal relationship with him,He is still God and we are still men created by him.Calling God the Father "Daddy'just doesn't come across very glorifying to Him as He should always inspire awe in us just for who he is and how great His mercies.Just my opinion. I just don't know if it's a trend or a new type of religion! -------------- Hey, Cathoholic....thank you for your answer....I think I'm gonna love chatting with you on the blogs!!! BTW my name is Lisa!
| ||
4/24/2008 10:29 pm |
I've noticed that too and am not too fond of the way it sounds either but then I am not being addressed. The Hebrew word for father is "abba' which is more intimate and denotes more familiarity than the way we think of as "Father" but doesn't mean"Daddy'either.Daddy seems rather disrespectful to me also.Although we have an intimate relationship with God I believe we should still show the proper respect that is due him.Even though we have a personal relationship with him,He is still God and we are still men created by him.Calling God the Father "Daddy'just doesn't come across very glorifying to Him as He should always inspire awe in us just for who he is and how great His mercies.Just my opinion. Thanks for commenting, I couldn't agree more with you.
| ||
5/29/2008 1:13 pm |
If you go back further beginning with the story of Noah you see some of the Laws of the Ten Commandments starting to be implied but in a sense not enforced. In my own words, they are not perfected, written down, and meant to be enforced by the Levite Priests until they are given to Moses. Obviously that is not the entire story behind the Ten Commandments. Plus in order to undrstand that you would have to look into the 7 laws given to Noah from a Jewish point of view I suppose. However, take the story of when Ham, the Son of Noah walks in and stares upon Noah's nakedness, he mocks or laughs at his father. Some interpret it to mean Ham did more than just look. Regardless he is cursed by Noah to be a servant of his brother and driven south. You could argue that Noah's nakedness most likely meant Noah was lying in his nakedness with his wife uncovered or possibly in the act of something else. However in ancient Hebrew beliefs anything including a man's wife was his possession, hence his nakedness. Coveting ones wife by those standards was the same thing as coveting his possessions. There is not enough in that story to suggest Ham coveted the wife of Noah which I guess could have been his own mother but still it highights the same similiarity between a man's possession and his wife. When King Abimelech took Sarah to be his own he not only coveted the wife of Abraham but he stole her as well. Same application. I don't think it justifies changing the commandments but it has no practicality either way if you don't understand how it evolved. Really not even worth arguing over in my opinion.
| ||
5/29/2008 1:55 pm |
To further my comment. You said it's "senseless" to divide the first commandment as foreign gods meaning the same as idol worship. I understand they are all the same sin but apparently they were serious enough to be spoken of separately in DUET 5 -8. The first of the verses as translated in the Torah I have is "You shall have no other Gods beside me." That's the translation but the actual Hebrew if you were to read it literally like English reads "You shall not have before you gods after my image." Or after my face. Then it goes on in the later verse to explain you shall not have sculptured images of of anything in the heavens and on earth or bow down and worship them. The way I read this is 1) you don't worship foreign gods as you have stated and 2) you don't worship images or idols in the likeness of what is in heaven or on earth such as images of God himself, angels, spirits, or possibly things of creation etc. So apparently there was a need to distinguish the two or why else would have God spoken this to Moses?So just like you claim protestants have stuck two commandments together have Catholics not done the same thing with the first commandment? As I previously made the argument earlier that coveting ones wife and coveting his possessions in ancient Hebrew was considered the same thing, obviously it was of importance to write about them separately in the Ten Commandments.
| ||
5/30/2008 5:44 pm |
Hey, Loki, I think Mommy and Daddy are actually slang words....not positive but I think so!! And I certainly don't believe they appear in the Bible. I'm more bent toward the Highest degree of respect for Him after all.....my God....He is God!! I just don't know if it's a trend or a new type of religion! -------------- Hey, Cathoholic....thank you for your answer....I think I'm gonna love chatting with you on the blogs!!! BTW my name is Lisa! Very pleased to have you commenting on my blog Lisa, thanks and I look forward to getting to know you better  . My name is Damian.
| ||
5/30/2008 5:54 pm |
To further my comment. You said it's "senseless" to divide the first commandment as foreign gods meaning the same as idol worship. I understand they are all the same sin but apparently they were serious enough to be spoken of separately in DUET 5 -8. The first of the verses as translated in the Torah I have is "You shall have no other Gods beside me." That's the translation but the actual Hebrew if you were to read it literally like English reads "You shall not have before you gods after my image." Or after my face. Then it goes on in the later verse to explain you shall not have sculptured images of of anything in the heavens and on earth or bow down and worship them. The way I read this is 1) you don't worship foreign gods as you have stated and 2) you don't worship images or idols in the likeness of what is in heaven or on earth such as images of God himself, angels, spirits, or possibly things of creation etc. So apparently there was a need to distinguish the two or why else would have God spoken this to Moses?So just like you claim protestants have stuck two commandments together have Catholics not done the same thing with the first commandment? As I previously made the argument earlier that coveting ones wife and coveting his possessions in ancient Hebrew was considered the same thing, obviously it was of importance to write about them separately in the Ten Commandments. Greetings, welcome to my blog. Thank you for taking the time to read it and share your point of view. As far as not having sculpted images of anything in Heaven or Earth, you have to understand the full context under which these things are done. Sculpting statues of Angels or Jesus Christ or the Saints is not a sin nor is it violating the 10 commandments. However, worship is what the Old Testament is referring to. I can actually cite several examples where God does in fact tell his people to "carve" images such as statues and things of that nature. I reject your argument that coveting your neighbors wife is in the same category as theft. Wanting your friends car is not the same sin as wanting your friends wife. By simple fact that Jesus Christ himself states that he who looks at his neighbors wife and even thinks impurely of her is commiting the sin of adultery in his heart. I am sure your probably aware of the time Jesus said that in the New Testament. There was not a need to "distinguish" the 2 commandments. Protestantism has made this distinction. There the exact same commandment repeated twice, it makes no sense plain and simple. You have heard that it was said, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY”; but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. (NAS  Matthew 5:27-28I stand by my opinion that wanting your friends wife is the sin of adultery not the sin of theft. Thanks for sharing your opinion and God bless.
| ||
 8/27/2008 11:56 pm |
The primary complaint I have heard, by some 7th day Sabbath believers, is that the RCC changed the Sabbath from Sa. (Day 7 ) to Su. (Day 1 ). Arguments from various people range from this being not terribly important to indicating a spirit of antiChrist (possibly even fulfilling prophecy ). I found the numbering of Commandments to be curious, but for me it's mostly a non-issue. For fun, the Command, Honor your father and your mother, is called "the first commandment with a promise". LOL. © Feel free to come see my Blog. And Enjoy! If you want to meet me or just get to know me. Hallelu-Yah! Praise Yah! wpx1 ©
| ||
 |
 |
 |
| Become a member to comment on this blog | ||
 |
