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That’s fair. I love Parton, and I think she’s up there with Tammy Faye Bakker. I think Protestants could really use the concept of saints. Are they kinda pagan? Teensy bit yeah, but mostly because pagans see our gods differently from monotheists. They are wise and powerful and provide guidance. Saints are supposed to be role models for good living in Christianity. People who the church believes it’s safe to assume are in heaven.

So minor theological rant for a religion I’m a heretic to mid theological rant for a religion I’m a heretic to. Personally I think sola fide has less backing it than sola Humane (forgive the shit Latin, but basically that’s the interpretation that Jesus died to take on humanity’s sin, that means everyone is saved), which can be reasonably argued with faith and works with reasonable hope for works alone. But I’m going to be going with the assumption that good works are necessary and possibly sufficient. In short, you earn your salvation.

But yeah saints role is to serve as role models and as people you know are in heaven. Animal lovers and those disaffected by their wealth can look to St Francis of Assisi to see how they can become holier and use their position to be a force of good. St Maximilian Kolbe can serve as inspiration to sacrifice for your fellow humans and to do the right thing when it becomes clear no matter how difficult. But Protestants don’t really have that. And I get that’s part of the point, but I do think it’s a strength Catholicism has.

St. Parton could be used as a representative of loving yourself in a healthy way and helping the poor and trod upon. St. Tammy Faye Bakker could be used as a representative of endurance and love for those who the modern hypocrites reject and rejoice in the suffering of (she was one of the first pro gay pastors in America and openly embraced a pastor with aids mid aids crisis on national tv). St. Rogers could be a representative of neighborly love and peace.

The decentralized nature of Protestantism prevents the sanctific rigor that I do tend to appreciate in Catholicism (though once again Day is blessed and not going to advance but they broke the rules to fast track Mother Teresa despite the evidence brought forth by her devil’s advocate), but having these role models is useful. St Francis led me to closer connection with nature and helped me have less love of money. It also says what the religion actually values. They can also serve as a reminder that even you can be holy. St Joseph was a poor carpenter not a priest or noble, but he was sanctified by accepting the duty of being a step dad in a situation many would’ve walked away from