the role of saints in religions

[ZTay]

I was just reading and the guy put forth the idea that Prophets are pre-Christ and Saints are post-Christ. The Prophets paving the way for Christ and the Saints upholding that way.

[cacian]

I was just reading and the guy put forth the idea that Prophets are pre-Christ and Saints are post-Christ. The Prophets paving the way for Christ and the Saints upholding that way.

Sure but what is the principle role of a saint however?
It has not been made clear to what it is they do and how they come to be saints?

[WyattGwyon]

Sure but what is the principle role of a saint however?
It has not been made clear to what it is they do and how they come to be saints?

Since sainthood is an invention of the Roman Catholic Church, I guess it is their question to answer. According to the rules they apply, to become a saint one must have three documented miracles to one's credit and it is expected that one will have lived a morally exemplary life. Otherwise it is all politics and bureaucracy. There are special committees involved in the nomination and election of saints. I think martyrs are a special class of saints who may get a "by" in the bureaucratic rounds.

Among their functions are the patronization of municipalities and individuals. Every Italian town wants their own patron saint and it is traditional that the given names of little Catholics will be chosen from among the list of saints so that every Catholic has a patron saint, though I don't believe this is an inviolable rule. It is also generally accepted that saints have the power of intercession with the higher powers, sort of like lobbyists or congressional representatives. So, for example, a little Catholic boy named Patrick who wishes for better health might pray to his patron saint (Patrick), who, presumably, would in turn petition God the father or Jesus on his behalf to make it happen.

A prophet simply delivers the word or will of God to humankind. As they are allegedly chosen by God by criteria we cannot understand, there is no reason they must be morally exemplary or exceptional in any respect whatever.

Now if you want the cynical answer to these questions rather than "just the facts," I could try again.

[cacian]

Since sainthood is an invention of the Roman Catholic Church, I guess it is their question to answer. According to the rules they apply, to become a saint one must have three documented miracles to one's credit and it is expected that one will have lived a morally exemplary life. Otherwise it is all politics and bureaucracy. There are special committees involved in the nomination and election of saints. I think martyrs are a special class of saints who may get a "by" in the bureaucratic rounds.

Among their functions are the patronization of municipalities and individuals. Every Italian town wants their own patron saint and it is traditional that the given names of little Catholics will be chosen from among the list of saints so that every Catholic has a patron saint, though I don't believe this is an inviolable rule. It is also generally accepted that saints have the power of intercession with the higher powers, sort of like lobbyists or congressional representatives. So, for example, a little Catholic boy named Patrick who wishes for better health might pray to his patron saint (Patrick), who, presumably, would in turn petition God the father or Jesus on his behalf to make it happen.

A prophet simply delivers the word or will of God to humankind. As they are allegedly chosen by God by criteria we cannot understand, there is no reason they must be morally exemplary or exceptional in any respect whatever.

Now if you want the cynical answer to these questions rather than "just the facts," I could try again.

Cynical would be very good

[ZTay]

Saints are examples, that's their role. A kind of fellowship through the ages. Proofs.