Expert: Rick Jackson - 10/5/2008

Question
Jesus never boasted of being a religious figure...actually he defied most of the regius figures he ran into they were worried about traditions and the do's and don'ts' of the bible...he called them many names showing us how he saw them. so i was wondering why catholics seem to be in more of a religious tradition based organization.i mean you have priests' that hear people's sins..then they give what seems to be a man made remedy for sins by telling the sinner to say hail marry's repeatedly for forgiveness and I've seen no such biblical reference for that tradition to have even evolved into what it is now...why do you do it? also id like to be enlightened on the issuing of rosary beads to catholics..why do you do that? I'm quite fond of the bible especially the new testament and I've read it over and over again praying for understanding and still i see nothing that even hints to why you are in these traditional phases. it all kinda seems made up. no disrespect intended at all thank you for your answer.

Answer
Hi again, Connor :)

Remember that Christ Himself founded an "organization".  He designated 12 leaders.  Then after Judas those leaders recognized the importance and replaced him with Mathias.

As for rosary beads, they are only a tool to help us concentrate.  Are you aware that nearly every word in the Hail Mary is in the Bible? ...Not sure why you call it "traditional phases (or phrases?).

You've asked alot of questions. Here is a good place to start that will give you some background:
http://www.catholic.com/library/What_Your_Authority.asp

Rick.