Is the real question: Why do catholics worship mary or why don't non-catholics?

Question

Is the real question: Why do catholics worship mary or why don't non-catholics acknowledge Mary as most blessed?

"the bible says" (it is written) Mary is most blessed and ALL generations are called to acknowledge this fact in their Christian faith community not simply relegate Mary to some sideshow or closet. Why do non-catholics disrepect and denigrate Mary as they lash out at Catholics with slander on making her God.

i think some of you should read what spiritoroamin wrote, I'm not a Protestant. Also what Catholics do not do is give Mary Godly worship, we do give her dulia type worship.

If there are different types of love why not worship? A study of the ancient languages are required here and always remember the Trinity doctrine is a Catholic one which Protestants hold to sometimes whereas Catholic hold to all the time.

Answer 1

Catholics DO NOT WORSHIP Mary.




There is no one in all of History whose relationship with God is as complex, fulfilled, and achingly beautiful as Mary's. She is not only the greatest of Saints, she is our Mother, as Jesus is our Brother and Savior. In honoring her, we honor Him -- and imitate Him, as we are admonished to both honor our parents and imitate Christ, Who loved His Mother.

To love Mary takes nothing at all from Christ, but honors our Blessed Lord by Whose grace she is who she is: His greatest creation, the greatest of Saints, the Queen of Heaven, the Immaculate Conception, the spotless Virgin, the Ark of the Covenant, the New Eve, the mother of God, and the mother of Israel -- our mother who wants nothing more for us than to pray for us and show us her Son.



Her soul magnifies the Lord (Luke 1:46-55)!



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Answer 2

I'm going to try to stick to what I think is your main question - why do (some) non-Catholics have such a hard time with giving Mary a place of honor?

My guess is that some have seen Mary elevated to a point where it looks like she is getting more attention than Jesus or God. Marian feast days often bring out loads of people and to some, I can imagine that it looks like Mary is being put ahead of Jesus; hence the backlash. I think some people are honstely still sexist and since Mary is a woman... well, anyway. And for some, I think they see giving Mary so much respect to be a very "Catholic" thing. There are a lot of people who hold a deep dislike (dare I say, hatred) towards the Catholic church and what nothing whatsoever to do with it.

Those are my theories, at any rate.

Answer 3

Okay now Pastor Billy, one thing a lot do not know that the original definition of the word "pray" is to ask or petition, not worship.

So when they hear we pray to Mary, they think we are worshipping. All the saints are our friends in Heaven and we want them to pray for us. We don't have to pray to them but we can. Isn't that great.

We still pray directly to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Some say dead people can't help us as they want be alive until the resurrection. However, they overlook the fact that Jesus told the Good Thief on the cross, "This day you will be with me in paradise."

Answer 4

This question is especially poignant given the fact that both Luther and Calvin retained devotion to Mary. It was their followers who, wanting to distance themselves from the Catholic Church, began denigrating praying to the Blessed Virgin. On the other extreme, some Catholics, in response to the subsequent Protestant position began over-emphasizing Mary's role.

A very interesting book on this topic, which looks to place Mary in a proper ecumenical and pre-western schism context is Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa's book, "Mary: Mirror of the Church."

By the way, though I agree that scripture points to calling Mary blessed, I think we Catholics have to stay away from the trap of having to prove everything ex Scriptura. To do so would be to deny that revelation occured within the context of a living community and that the revelation of the Gospel was first and foremost oral, a living witness, and through the practice of the faith, and then became a written word as the apostles and their companions wrote down the gospel message.

Answer 5

Well said. . .and yes, I understand the point you're making. :-)

One of the most frequently falsehoods told about Catholics is that we worship Mary. Worship (latria) is reserved only for God and not His creation. The saints are given honor (dulia) because of their holy lives and love for God, but because of her unique place in the story of salvation, Mary is given great honor (hyperdulia.)

As I've said before, Mary is a beautiful role model for all Christians. She was brave enough to say "Yes" to God when having a child out of wedlock could have meant her own death. She was the mother of our Savior, and yet she was a humble woman who willingly married a poor village carpenter.

She was a caring person who didn't want to see the couple at Cana suffer humiliation because the wine was running low. She didn't seek honor or glory for herself, but she was content to remain in the background during Jesus' ministry. And finally, she was brave and loyal when she stood by her Son as He was dying -- even though His disciples had all run away in fear.

She is the perfect example of what a Christian can and should be. If for no other reason than that (and there are many others), she deserves our honor and respect.

Answer 6

"A Warm Protestant Welcome for Mary" (Women of the Bible, by USA News):

"... Today more and more Protestants are welcoming Mary back into their spiritual lives. Several new books by Protestant authors have spurred new interest in the Virgin Mother. And a joint Anglican-Catholic commission recently announced a landmark accord on Mary that could help bridge the gap between the two denominations. Mary's story, says Beverly Gaventa, (A New Testament scholar at Princeton University and the coeditor of the book "Blessed One: Protestant Perspectives on Mary), " is a wonderful example of divine grace that Protestants have neglected. It was seen as Catholic territory, but now the lines between denominations are dropping."

Like many Protestants, Norris says she learned next to nothing about Mary from her Methodist and Congregational upbringing, but after spending time in Benedictine monasteries she grew to identify with her. "Like Mary, I am invited each day to bring Christ into the world in my prayers, thoughts, and actions," she says.

Answer 7

We do not worship Mary, but we do honor her as the Mother of God and as our own spiritual mother.

I was raised protestant...and for the most part Mary just wasn't talked about. She was mentioned at Christmas and that was it.

When I became Catholic it was different for me to think of Mary in the way that Catholic's do. I was not used to it. But it makes perfect sense. God would certainly not grab any woman from the ranks of humanity to provide the flesh for his son. She would have to be special, God would have created a blessed vessel to carry his only son.

The 5th commandment is to honor your mother and father. Jesus, being perfect, would have kept this commandment and honored her as well as his father. Being that he is our example and he gave Mary to us when he was on the cross...we too should honor her.

Yes, she says in the bible...all generations will call me blessed. And we should. She is blessed...she is the Mother of God

Answer 8

Catholics do not worship Mary.

Answer 9

Pastor BILLY, yes some Catholics may be guilty of worshipping Mary, brought about by illiteracy, and poverty, just like Pastor Jimmy Swaggart , PASTOR Jim Baker and some of the Catholic Priests who were guilty of their offenses....we can go on and on mentioning all kinds of RELIGIONS and name defects of each and everyone....but I am a bit surprised that you do not know the answer to this... being a pastor...it is not easy to be one, never rely on your own knowledge and strength, be with the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT.....I think many of the religious leaders today are more focus on the defects of a religion not belonging to them and yet missing the time spent on criticizing other religions instead of spending it by teaching the principles of JESUS CHRIST...remember, one minute lost is a minute gone forever....Christ's teachings are the same since it was made known to people during his time and remained the same yesterday and will remain the same today and tomorrow so why not unite as CHRISTIANS , what are we up to anyway, trying to prove to people that we are better than the rest is pointless to me. We have simply to show everyone that we are children of GOD whatever religion we have , may it be ISLAM, HINDUISM CHRISTIANITY ,JUDAISM, BUDDHISM and so on and so forth...just an advise... I am a CATHOLIC too, but I see no point of converting to any other CHRISTIAN RELIGION because as I have mentioned CHRIST WAS, IS and will only be one....littlt details such praying the rosary may be wrong., is not anyone's business to jugde...GOD THE FATHER has given us the 10 COMMANDMENTS as Christian we all know that, and as people on earth we know also that many are living in hypocrisy....one will be held accountable for one's action anyway...GOD KNOWS BEST....let us not take the role of GOD by being a judge to anyone rather let us spread the teachings of JESUS CHRIST by living it and by sharing it for the GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER IN HEAVEN. GOD BLESS YOU.

Answer 10

finally the right questions are being asked about our blessed mother mary.

i take great joy when i see our faithfull catholics take a stand and with charity,prayer and unity profess the truth of not only our faith but of the word of god which made our faith. why our seperated brothers and sisters try belittle,bad mouth and make yo mamma jokes about the blessed mother is beyond me, not saying all do this but it does happen so please don't be offended by my comment,it is offered as my humble opinion. for those interested here are some sites that may help regarding the blessed mother, useful for both catholics and protestants.

www.scripturecatholic.com
www.catholiceducation.org
www.newadvent.org
www.fisheaters.com
www.ewtn.com
www.salvationhistory.com

great question and well worded, good job and thank you.