Is there a hidden Marian (of Mary) religion within the Catholic Church patterned from Goddess Worship?

Question

I am NOT in any way criticizing Catholicism, understand the veneration of saints, and do not believe it is idolatry.

However, it seems many are devoted to Mary to the point that it could be called an cult within a religion. Not a cult in the sense of the negative, but an cult in the sense it is often referred to a sect of a religion that venerates an aspect of that religion.

It seems many almost worship Mary, and many devote their lives and thoughts to Mary more than Jesus. It could be said you are most devoted to what is most often in your mind.

So do you believe that there is an hidden Marian religion within the Catholic Church, a hidden trend, and does it fulfill the role of the Divine Feminine that expressed itself as an aspect in every religion of the past?

Answer 1

The Cult of the BVM is not hidden, it is patent. Any outside observer would say that the RCC has four gods (Father, Son, Paraclete and Virgin). The BVM differs from the other saints (who also have cults and who are said in internal Church documents to be 'worshipped') in the very large number of devotees and the rancor that her worship has generated over the centuries.
There are even two religious orders (Marianists and Marists) dedicated to the BVM.
The orthodox communion (who are every bit as Catholic as the Romans) have a much healthier attitude toward the BVM, and generally refer to her, if at all, simply as theotokos, which states the simple fact that she gave birth to Jesus.
As far as the expression of the 'Divine Feminine' principle, I will confess that I am wonky about the whole process, since I believe that the gods, all of them, are the product of the all-too-fertile human imagination.

Answer 2

Hi, there is an awful lot of misconception surrounding devotion to Mary and really it is down to ignorance and in a lot of cases mockery.
The Catholic man or woman knows full well without being constantly reminded by our Protestant brethren that worship is due to God and Him alone this is called `Latria`
The reverence that we gave to Mary is totally different and this is termed `Hyperdulia` and the veneration we give to the Saints is called` Dulia`
Mary is held in great reverence due to Her unique position and that Jesus gave Her as Mother of all believers to us from the cross, She shared in a unique way the sorrows of Christs passion and crucifixion as only a Mother could, and finally we believe that She is not dead but dwelling in Heaven with Christ and interceding for all Her poor children.
This is cut and dry devotion to Mary by Catholics and all the other untruths are simply that.
The cult of the Blessed Virgin should not be seen as cults that are in opposition to the faith and isn`t it a fact that the term `Cult` has over the years taken on a sinister meaning and so this is how non-Catholics view our devotion to Mary,they are however quite wrong and should read the Catechism of the Catholic church which points this out so clearly.
This aspect of the divine femimine is also very misunderstood I believe, many pagan customs pointed to Goddess worship and this is not the case of Catholic devotion to Mary,She is not divine nor a Goddess, but simply with Jesus the first fruits of the new covenant as all Christians should be.

Answer 3

As a Catholic, and one who regularly practices Marian devotion, I say no, there is not a hidden "Marian religion" within the Church. We properly venerate Mary as the Mother of God. Think of Mary as the ultimate disciple, born without stain of original sin, and as the "human tabernacle" for the Christ child who grew within her. God and His Holy Spirit gave Christ His Godly and Divine form. Mary, His human mother, gave Him His human form.

Mary herself is an intercessor who intercedes with Her son on our behalf, much as she did at the wedding feast at Cana, when she mentioned to Him that they were out of wine, and He responded to her. Proper devotion to Mary leads to her son, Jesus Christ.

Past religions may have had a Divine Feminine, or Masculine, but those concepts are actually human ones, and are not needed by the true God. God is spirit in essense - In Him there is no male or female.

Answer 4

No.

http://catholic.com/library/mary_saints.asp

Answer 5

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Answer 6

No, but those who venerate Mary find themselves drawn closer to Jesus and God. As Jesus' mother she is always drawing people closer to Him. "Do whatever He tells you".

Cheers :-)

Answer 7

yes but it goes deeper than that look up semiramis . may the grace of god be with you always