"I'm only "crying" because this "high regard" detracts from Christ. Every prayer sent to Mary is one less prayer sent directly to God. It is one less chance to communicate with Him. ... It was Christ Himself who said "Who is my mother?", not me. :)"
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IMHO, I think Evangelical Christians are concerned about this "lofty" status accorded Mary and special supernatural powers accorded her by Roman Catholics is that it is a product of "Tradition" and not SCRIPTURE. When people fall prey to "Tradition" they are easily led into false doctrine, such as multiple justifications based on works.
Hogwash. Both of you do this everyday. Does this mean you detract anything from God?
When you compliment someone, are you taking away God's Glory? Would I be correct for chastizing you for calling your wife pretty? For it is God who gave that person the gift of whatever you are complimenting. Are you in error for giving someone the credit for something they are not the source of? HOW DARE YOU!!!
Think common sense for a minute...When you eat a lasagna dinner, and you comment "that was the best lasagna I ever had, it was so good", does that mean that the cook receives no credit or does the lasagna take on all the credit while disregarding the cook??? Who thinks that way? Doesn't the cook accept the compliment of his creation as a compliment to HIM??
Any glory given to Mary is glory given to God - as she herself gives credit to. It is a disconnect of our everyday lives that confuses you both to make such an accusation. We understand that Mary is not a "god", but a creation, so anything we say about her reflects in her creator. Don't be afraid to joyfully praise God's greatest creation.
Regards
Yes, there can be no doubt this is true. They will tell you openly that things like Mary's sinlessness, her ever-virginity, and her worthiness of being venerated more than any other human in history are extra-scriptural Tradition. They believe that this Tradition is equal to scripture in truth AND authority. Also equal to them both in authority is the Magesterium (the people who occupy the hierarchy of the Church, mostly the Pope).