I read an article some years back that stated that the Catholic Church was facing a decline in membership due to secular attitudes, the competition from other growing religions, and scandals within the church. It claimed--and I make no defense of the validity of this claim; I am merely relating what the article said--that there were discussions underway in the Vatican to proclaim the divinity of Mary and elevate her to an equal status within the Godhead as a means to attract new followers. The supposition was that this would make for a more egalitarian, less patriarchal church, and also capitalize on the already great popularity of Mary in many cultures.
As an Atheist, I don't consider the factuality of these claims as important, but rather am interested in whether anyone thinks such a scheme would be feasible. Would proclaiming Mary an equal to Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit open up new possibilities for the Church? If you're Catholic, would this affect your faith?
2007-08-15 11:42:53 · 11 answers · asked by Jack B, sinistral 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As I said, I make no claims about the story's validity. When I read it, I myself doubted whether there were serious discussions underway concerning this issue, but thought that it was an interesting proposition, whether or not it was actually considered at the high levels of the Church.
I do think that it is an interesting discussion point, given the veneration--bordering on worship--that Mary is already given in some cultures.
2007-08-15 11:56:30 · update #1
don s: Yes, I am absolutely an Atheist. I am interested in how this idea challenges the beliefs of those who affiliate with the church. For the record, I have no problem with someone having a religious belief, and enjoy the specualtion that comes with having religious faith. I do not, however, share in this faith.
2007-08-15 12:13:24 · update #2
I'm not Catholic, but I think it would actually be detrimental. You already have people who say Catholics aren't "real" Christians. Or that they "worship idols." I think this would just provide more fodder for criticism and it would alienate more people than it would attract.
2007-08-15 15:18:32 · answer #1 · answered by Michael B - Prop. 8 Repealed! 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have to seriously question the validity of that story. To make Mary divine would fly in the face of all the theological teachings of the church since the early church councils. I suspect that the article was written by someone who had their own agenda. I am now an atheist, but I used to be a catholic who studied theology and philosophy in college.
2007-08-15 11:50:14 · answer #2 · answered by in a handbasket 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If that was biblically true, then the RCC should proceed. Unfortunately, the Holy Spirit is convicting me not to believe that Mary had any divinity equal to God and His Son Jesus. She was chosen by God as an "incubator" for the redeemer of all mankind. What a privilege and honor, but she was nothing more than human like the rest of us.
2007-08-15 12:24:02 · answer #3 · answered by Dr. G™ 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If they did that, it would have a huge detrimental impact on the Catholic church, at least as far as Christianity is concerned. The very idea of considering Mary an equal to the Trinity is at the least, heretical teaching. Mary was a sinner who needed salvation just like everyone else.
2007-08-15 11:50:13 · answer #4 · answered by beano™ 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Proclaiming Mary as an equal to Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit is dumb... Mary was human, just like everyone else, therefore she committed sins.. She just happens to get pregnant by the Holy Spirit when she was a virgin.. After that, she was married to Joseph, and she did have more children, she was not a virgin anymore.. She was the body, the vessel, that carried Jesus.
2007-08-15 12:00:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Catholic creed isn't geared up upon the instructions of Jesus, you will locate that the money owed of historians approximately Jesus are so some distance faraway from those given in the Bible. certainly, Jesus is extra sound and exciting in accordance to historians... Jesus replaced into no longer God, he under no circumstances stated to be so, and why could any logical individual think of that Mary has any element divine? did she created something out of no longer something like God???? didnt she die???
2016-10-02 09:57:02 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That would be rather stupid if they did that. I mean, that would throw a whole big glitch into the Trinity thing. It wouldn't make me want to join it.
2007-08-15 11:48:08 · answer #7 · answered by . 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Mary was a sinner who needed a Savior just as we all do. Luke 1:47
Jack, Are you sure that your an atheist?
2007-08-15 12:00:35 · answer #8 · answered by don_steele54 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
That is heresy. Mary is not and never will be divine. She is however, full of Grace and one of a kind as the Mother of God. God bless.
2007-08-15 11:48:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
It depends on what she can give us.
2007-08-15 11:58:17 · answer #10 · answered by S K 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋