Why do Christians worship Mary?

[SB Habakuk]

None of you can discredit femaleness- nor the importance of Mary to Christianity- not even if she is worshipped- What is the root of your Gods- I tell some are in the very female form- But femaleness was not first-

 

[KPereira]

I will say this though I do believe that the Mary the catholics pray to is made up so they could ease the Pagans into christiany with little or no fight. Has history has showen.

What is the point in praying to a mortal? Even if she did give birth to Jesus she is not a Goddess, seems to me they are praying to the same Pagan Goddess the Pagans did..

Out of curiosity (and I'm not trying to be a prick here...this is a legitimate question), but did you get that information from the Da Vinci Code?

"prayer
–noun 1.a devout petition to God or an object of worship. 2.a spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession."

1. In the 1st definition, it says that prayer is simply a petition...a request or some form of communication to God or 'an object of worship' (which could be another god or whatever - hardly the point)

2. In the 2nd definition, this is basically saying that it is communicating to God, whether it be, as it states, supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.

Now, praying to Mary...you believe that Catholics 'worship' her? Well...yes and no. I partly agree. Catholics (especially the European ones - and I can speak for at least the Portuguese here), they have many statues and pictures and figurines, etc etc, of Mary. They really revere her. There's this old Portuguese lady I know...she has 2 six foot tall saint statues in her home that she got from an old church. (They are nicknamed Shaq and Mutumbo because they're so huge.) Catholics don't 'worship' her on the same level as Jesus, per se...but they do have her in VERY high regard.

Wouldn't Mary have a bit of divinity in her, at least? What about all those sightings of Mary...one of the most famous ones at Fatima, Portugal where she appeared to 3 children. I think Mary deserves to be 'worshipped'...but not on the same level as Jesus.

Btw, wanderer...if you don't believe in any of this - why would you bother with it?

 

[MaddLlama]

Btw, wanderer...if you don't believe in any of this - why would you bother with it?

Some people sadly have nothing better to do with themselves than disparage the beliefs of others. These people need productive hobbies.

 

[KPereira]

Some people sadly have nothing better to do with themselves than disparage the beliefs of others. These people need productive hobbies.

I don't understand why anyone would want to do that. It is one thing to inform others of what you believe...but to attack their beliefs and try to constantly disprove them is quite another.

 

[SB Habakuk]

You debate Christains thougght as if you are aware of Christ or of those who are of his flock- like Masters of Christian wisdom- I tell you speak from a lack of light- and divert the thoughts of those who seek to that which is incorrect- this cannot be tolerated- it is not only Anti-Christian but a mockery-

 

[KPereira]

You debate Christains thougght as if you are aware of Christ or of those who are of his flock- like Masters of Christian wisdom- I tell you speak from a lack of light- and divert the thoughts of those who seek to that which is incorrect- this cannot be tolerated- it is not only Anti-Christian but a mockery-

You have a nasty habit of declaring everything I say 'anti-Christian'. Do you think it is Christian to force your beliefs on others? Do you think it is Christian to offer financial support in exchange for conversion? Jesus helped Gentiles and Samaritans...lots of groups in the Bible and did not seek their conversion, but helped them because they had faith in Him. This is not the message Jesus preached. You sir, declare THAT 'Christian'? Do not preach to me my own values as if they are something new to me. Don't you dare try to brand me as 'anti-Christian'. You know nothing of me.

 

[SB Habakuk]

WHich one is Ati- Christian- great is that man- for we are frail beings and week in our meditations and lacking in eternal knowledge- our act are like a great comedy to the Supreme Being-

I say it again- the thread of Mary worship is a deficient one- lacking i n truth
for Mary is the anathema of the Jews- She is the one to whom the fullness of the Word was given and what was special she comprehended

 

[logician]

1.But, that's not what Catholics do. Basically you are claiming that every child who has written a letter to santa asking for a new toy is worshipping santa.

2.Claim all you like that you know better because you were raised a Christian and blah blah blah, but you can't deny that being raised protestant, and not a Catholic hardly makes you an expert in Catholic doctrine and practice. Actually, it makes you ill-qualified and uninformed.

3.It's ok if you want us to believe you know everything. I promise we'll at least try to take you seriously.

1. A totally ridiculous analogy, Catholics do pray to Mary, period, and that IS an act of worship.

2. I had several Catholic friends growing up, and attended a Jesuit college for a year, so I know a little about Catholic doctrine.

3. YOu consistently avoid counter-arguing the arguments I make, by simply glossing them over, sorry, you are the one that is lacking in knowledge.

 

[Bishka]

1. A totally ridiculous analogy, Catholics do pray to Mary, period, and that IS an act of worship.

Since you have never been a Catholic you cannot claim their doctrine or what they do.

2. I had several Catholic friends growing up, and attended a Jesuit college for a year, so I know a little about Catholic doctrine.
.

That does not make you the expert.

 

[KPereira]

WHich one is Ati- Christian- great is that man- for we are frail beings and week in our meditations and lacking in eternal knowledge- our act are like a great comedy to the Supreme Being-

I say it again- the thread of Mary worship is a deficient one- lacking i n truth
for Mary is the anathema of the Jews- She is the one to whom the fullness of the Word was given and what was special she comprehended

Mind clarifying on this "WHich one is Ati- Christian- great is that man-". Are you saying that the Anti-Christian is great?

 

[logician]

1.Since you have never been a Catholic you cannot claim their doctrine or what they do.



2.That does not make you the expert.

1. One need not be a member of a certain church to know how they believe, probably 95 percent of Xians have little knowledge of the bible or their own faith.

2. You have not refuted my argument, only made half-baked assumptions about my knowledge.

 

[Bishka]

1. One need not be a member of a certain church to know how they believe, probably 95 percent of Xians have little knowledge of the bible or their own faith.

Actually that's quite false and you are using what you are accusing me of; half-baked assumptions. Unless you have a confirmed statistic, then don't claim it as true.

2. You have not refuted my argument, only made half-baked assumptions about my knowledge.

You haven't shown any clear knowledge in anything, just broad, baseless assumptions. Once you can actually show that your assumptions are true, then perhaps I'll take your 'facts' a little more seriously.

 

[Radio Frequency X]

1. One need not be a member of a certain church to know how they believe, probably 95 percent of Xians have little knowledge of the bible or their own faith.

Not true. Where do you get that from?

2. You have not refuted my argument, only made half-baked assumptions about my knowledge.

Her assumptions seem to be based on your arguments.

 

[Kcnorwood]

In 313 A.D. Constantine tried to incorporate the pagans into the newly constituted Holy Roman Empire. The Constantine-led Roman church was willing to adapt and adopt pagan practices in order to make Christianity more pleaseable to the Pagans. The Pagan festivals were adopted into Christianity, and then eventually, many of the associated pagan symbols and actions were reinterpreted in ways acceptable to Christian faith and practice. Christianization of pagan customs. Even the holidays everyone celebrates today were once Pagan, they may not fall in the same day as Pagan holidays do but close enough. As far as Santa goes I don’t know of any kids who pray to him.

 

[Bishka]

In 313 A.D. Constantine tried to incorporate the pagans into the newly constituted Holy Roman Empire. The Constantine-led Roman church was willing to adapt and adopt pagan practices in order to make Christianity more pleaseable to the Pagans. The Pagan festivals were adopted into Christianity, and then eventually, many of the associated pagan symbols and actions were reinterpreted in ways acceptable to Christian faith and practice. Christianization of pagan customs. Even the holidays everyone celebrates today were once Pagan, they may not fall in the same day as Pagan holidays do but close enough. As far as Santa goes I don’t know of any kids who pray to him.

Most of us Christians know that.....

 

[MaddLlama]

1. A totally ridiculous analogy, Catholics do pray to Mary, period, and that IS an act of worship.

No, Catholics ask Mary to pray for them. I don't know how many times you've been told that, and you choose to ignore it.

2. I had several Catholic friends growing up, and attended a Jesuit college for a year, so I know a little about Catholic doctrine.

I married a Jewish man, so does that mean that I'm in a position to tell every Jewish person here what they believe?

3. YOu consistently avoid counter-arguing the arguments I make, by simply glossing them over, sorry, you are the one that is lacking in knowledge.

Haha, that sounds conspicuously like saying "I know you are but what am I".

 

[MaddLlama]

In 313 A.D. Constantine tried to incorporate the pagans into the newly constituted Holy Roman Empire. The Constantine-led Roman church was willing to adapt and adopt pagan practices in order to make Christianity more pleaseable to the Pagans. The Pagan festivals were adopted into Christianity, and then eventually, many of the associated pagan symbols and actions were reinterpreted in ways acceptable to Christian faith and practice. Christianization of pagan customs. Even the holidays everyone celebrates today were once Pagan, they may not fall in the same day as Pagan holidays do but close enough. As far as Santa goes I don’t know of any kids who pray to him.

What does that have to do with Mary, though? You claimed that the church invented Mary to make the Pagans more comfortable with Christianity. Christianity adopted Pagan customs, yes, but I asked for evidence that Mary is really a Pagan goddess in disguise. Constantine's fun time with the Pagans is not evidence of that.

 

[MaddLlama]

1. One need not be a member of a certain church to know how they believe, probably 95 percent of Xians have little knowledge of the bible or their own faith.

And, 87% of athiests are insecure and lazy.
(96% os statistics are made up on the spot, you know).

2. You have not refuted my argument, only made half-baked assumptions about my knowledge.

Actually, you haven't made any arguments either. You've just made large statements with no evidence to back them up. Only misplaced arrogance.

 

[logician]

1. And, 87% of athiests are insecure and lazy.
(96% os statistics are made up on the spot, you know).



2.Actually, you haven't made any arguments either. You've just made large statements with no evidence to back them up. Only misplaced arrogance.

1.My quote about xians comes from personal experience, every congregation IO've been in, most of the member were woefully ignorant about the the bible and their own religion. More to the point, MANY, MANY people claim to be Xian who rarely if EVER attend church and are not religiou in nature. Again, I'm backing up by arguments, you just make ridiculouc claims and back up nothing.


2.I've given at least 3 definitions that prove what Catholics do regarding Mary is worship. You've responded with lies and half-truths. YOU are the arrogant one.

 

[MaddLlama]

2.I've given at least 3 definitions that prove what Catholics do regarding Mary is worship. You've responded with lies and half-truths. YOU are the arrogant one.

Catholics don't pray to Mary the same way they pray to God. They ask her to pray for them, as additional "help" for thier own prayers for something. That is the truth, and if you choose to disregard it, then that's your problem.

It is also my personal experience that many atheists are more concerned about attacking Christians and telling all people who believe in God how stupid and misguided they are. I'm just basing my opinion on my own personal experience. So, that must make my opinion correct.