Ok, while we wait for the Papal Conclave to begin, let's ponder the notion of sainthood. I'm not Catholic, and even though the Armenian Chruch has its own long list of saints, there has always been something distinctly pagan about the notion of people actually praying to saints for intercession with the Father, for healing, etc. (Is that how it works?) Saints are not be confused wth martyrs, of which there are plenty in all faiths, esp Islam, but Islam has no saints. They don't canonize. Only martyrs. And I guess it is easier to become a martyr in the Islamic faith, esp these days, but that's a different kettle of fish. There are martyyrs and MARTYRS.
Most saints are martyrs, but not all have died untimely/violent deaths.
So explain the concept of sainthood to me (it seems like a Christian adaptation of the venerable old Demigod tradition from pagan belief systems), what your criterion for canonizing someone would be, and how soon they should be canonized, depending on the criteria.
Most saints are martyrs, but not all have died untimely/violent deaths.
So explain the concept of sainthood to me (it seems like a Christian adaptation of the venerable old Demigod tradition from pagan belief systems), what your criterion for canonizing someone would be, and how soon they should be canonized, depending on the criteria.
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