I can hardly put into words my feelings about Alden Ho’s column on the anti-christ. Your readers need to know that the statements he makes are only his opinions, and I will add, some very uninformed opinions at that.
Let’s look at his assertions.
A.) He cites Luke 5:21, but quotes the Pharisees who asked “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus’ reply makes clear that Jesus had the power to forgive sins, but nowhere does it say that power is exclusive to Jesus alone.
B.) There is partial truth here, what is true is that the wording and order of the commandments are different. The Commandments in my Catholic Bible forbid idolatry, and in no way was God’s law changed. Catholics do not worship statues or crucifixes. Catholics do bow, genuflect and make the sign of the cross toward the tabernacle, in which a consecrated host (God’s real presence, Luke 22:19) abides, or a crucifix, and I am sincerely offended and confounded if anyone considers an object depicting Jesus’ death on the cross as an “idol.” Statues of Mary, the mother of Jesus , or those of the saints are not worshipped either. The statues remind us of their exemplary lives and are there to inspire us to lead good lives also.
C.) Which brings us to the most blatant falsehood, that Catholics believe that the Pope is God on earth. I personally have never been taught this, and I don›t know any Catholic that believes this. Jesus made Peter the first Pope, the rock upon which he built his church. In Luke 10:16 Jesus tells Peter «He who hears you, hears me.» The Pope is a human being; he has no superpowers. What Catholics do believe about the Pope is his gift of infallibility, which extends only to solemn official teachings on faith and morals. On these subjects, he has the last word.
It seems that Mr Ho is forming opinions from a very unenlightened position. I would be happy to provide him with reference material. The book “What Catholics Believe” is a good place to start. In the meantime, he might want to go back over the Commandments he references. My Bible includes one regarding bearing false witness. To quote Mr. Ho, “Religious deception is everywhere. We cannot be too careful.”
Respectfully,
Elizabeth Opiela