Protestant Christians: Would you think it is offensive or wrong if ...?

Question

You went to another Christian's home and you saw there, an altar with just a figurine of the Madonna and some candles and flowers. No cross or figurine of Jesus?

Many Catholics have such an altar at home. Many protestants think that praying to Mary is wrong. That is not what I'm wondering, but would you find it offensive or wrong for another Christian to have an altar with Mary as the focus?

Answer 1

Doesn't bother me, but I do not put any special weight on Mary. They are praying to God/Jesus through Mary or other saints--just an "extra step."

Answer 2

1) You went to another Christian's home and you saw there, an altar with just a figurine of the Madonna and some candles and flowers. No cross or figurine of Jesus?



Not offensive or heretical. I would consider it conceptually wrong - that is, wrong in the same sense that someone who says 25 x 25 = 635 is wrong.





2) Many Catholics have such an altar at home.



Really? I'm surprised - I've been in more than a couple of Catholic homes and have never seen such a thing.





Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/

Answer 3

Offensive? Mildly. Wrong? Probably so, yes. However, I don't think I would say anything if it's something that's done in someone else's home. I also understand that a Catholic who has one of these things probably doesn't have a healthy attitude toward Protestants to begin with, so it's best to avoid disturbing an already volatile situation.



I grew up in an area that's a little over half Catholic. I haven't ever seen one of these. But it's mostly younger people in this area, so I guess I grew up around the present and future of suburban Catholicism. This sort of thing tends to be a relic of the past, I think.

Answer 4

I've been to many Catholic houses because I have lots of Catholic friends, but I never encountered an altar that doesn't have Jesus at the center. And by the way, the Madonna also has a child in her arms and that child is supposedly Jesus. So you can't say there's no Jesus in the altar that you saw.

Answer 5

I am neither protestant nor catholic, however as a Christian, I would just ignore it, it is not my home and not my place. it matters what God thinks anyway, not me. I have af friend who happens to have such a shrine, and I have never addressed the situation in any way.

Answer 6

there is NO Catholic home that does not have Christ as the center. while there may be something for Mary there is NEVER not at least a crucifix.

Answer 7

Of course, you can't worship a woman. But I come from a predominantly Catholic family, I know no Catholics who do that.

Answer 8

Protestants need prayers, especially the holy rosary. The rosary is God's preferred means for converting people.



http://www.medjugorje.org/rosary.htm

Answer 9

No, I would probably cross myself while walking by it. (out of respect)

Answer 10

No, the people who own the house will have to answer to God about it

Answer 11

I really thought you were referring to the 80's pop singer.... me dumb.

Answer 12

yeah I think I'd be surprised and a lil uncomfy/jolted, I would not go out of my way to acknowledge it I suppose, I would not make a verbal issue persay unless it was brought up I geuss, hmmm it;s never happened to me, good Q. I do know that as a former catholic, I cannot even fathom entering one of their institutions though, it's way too eery/spooky and wrong in the eyes of God and me too...solly, that's how I feel...just being honest as usual:-)