Catholicism as Polytheistic

[Gentoo]

The other night, my fiance and I had a bit of a disagreement, he views Catholicism as polytheistic because of the Saints and how they're held in such high respects, being prayed to and such, rather than praying directly to God and/or Jesus. Being a former confirmed Catholic, I took a bit of offence to this, but had little to back up my feelings and thoughts. Basically what I said was that the Saints were once mortals living in Creation rather than god-like beings who helped make Creation, while tossing in the first commandment in there as well.

Our disagreement ended in our agreeing to disagree, but I'm still frustrated that I couldn't/still can't back up why Catholicism is not polytheistic in a way that a philosopher would understand. And no, I'll fully admit that I was not the best Catholic out there in terms of understanding things like this, I was one of those who took it at face value; that it just is.

Has anyone else had to face this before? And if so, how was it handled?

 

[cataclysm]

Saints are venerated, God is worshiped. A saint is more of a role model. Then there's the canonization process, which can take several centuries.

The saints are still alive in heaven, because God is the God of the living. They are special messengers of God, so a parton saint can be asked to intercede or pray for you. But the saints have no power on their own, except that granted by God.

And, ya, I have seen many non-Catholics be confused by this same issue.

 

[GoldenDragon]

Saints are asked to pray for people and to ask God to help us.As cataclsym said a messenger of God,or a "middleman".They are not "worshiped" nor are they "gods". This goes the same for the Virgin Mary who is also mistaken as being worhiped as if she were god too.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

I once saw Catholicism as polytheistic due to the Trinity, the duality between God and Satan, and the Virgin Mary as a goddess figure. I've also sort of seen the saints as demigods.

I suppose the association has to do with the "patron saint" idea. It reminds me of how Greek and Roman cities (or families) had "patron gods."

In practice, though, I assume it is different.

I think in the end, this comes down to definitions (much like many other disagreements). Some would still call the Virgin Mary a goddess figure, or Jesus and Satan gods. But in the end, it's all really in how a person defines his or her faith.

Anyway, good thread!