Intent? You know what people have in their hearts?
Again, no one is twisting their arms to subscribe to anything regarding Mariology. If they don't like it, they can move on. Spewing venom at something they personally find outside of their realm of beliefs and practices is un-Christian to say the least.
I'm reminded of the patience Christ showed when He dealt with the Pharisees. Their constant attempts to catch Him in error were used as opportunities to teach.
Man-made problem.
We seem to be pretty good at that, creating problems.
The treatment of Mary in the Apostolic Church is deep reverence and gratitude. A saint of saints. Some people have a stronger devotion to her then others, just as some favor one parent over another; in this case saints. But some people can't stand the fact that people do love Mary, and venerate her in a very demonstrative manner.
I see it kinda like watching the luggage turnstile at the airport. Sometimes it's too easy to mistake someone else's baggage for ones own...
Like I said, in some case (very few, given the whole congregation) it appears idolatrous. But the Church would never teach that. Yet, what is the priest to do when someone does it? Throw that person out of the church? Judge him? Say "Look I noticed..."? I don't think so.
Pray for them?
Failure to venerate Mary is not a sin. It's sad, but it's not a sin.
I knew I shoulda put quote dealybobs around the word sin. LOL
I found most Lutherans and Anglicans (of the conservative kind) close and dear brothers and sisters in Christ and I lament their separation from us.
Orthodox churches are rare in my neck of the woods & I can't say I know anyone who attends an Orthodox church. I've called a couple of "Bible" churches in my area & asked people there a couple of questions about some basic things they teach, but wouldn't know where to begin in doing the same with any of the Orthodox churches in my area.
Walk in your faith; that's more important. But we get dirty, and sacraments and prayers are like spiritual hygiene.
We can pray wherever and whenever, but we can only get sacraments in the church, our spiritual hospital.
I was married in a Roman Catholic church, back when a marriage included a full Mass. I'll never forget the looks of shocked horror at my questioning my exclusion from partaking in the Eucharist. That which is a spiritual hospital to you comes with some rather high immovable barriers for me.
Intent? You know what people have in their hearts?
No, that is known but to them and God. We know when our intent in ungodly. If we presume otherwise, then we should all go to heaven.
We seem to be pretty good at that, creating problems Our favorite past time.
Pray for them [people prostrating for Mary but not for Holy Trinity)?
No! If a priest were to pray for them, he would have already judged them. Their intent is not to offend God.
but wouldn't know where to begin in doing the same with any of the Orthodox churches in my area
Ask any of the above pinged people, or me, if you so choose. They are all wonderful orthodox Christians (I am more like Leo Tolstoy, you might say, somewhat pigheaded).
I was married in a Roman Catholic church, back when a marriage included a full Mass
Imagine that! Good news is, we Orthodox still do. Our Catholic brothers and sisters used to be Orthodox too, and many are rediscovering the beauty of being Orthodox again, after so many centuries. :)
I'll never forget the looks of shocked horror at my questioning my exclusion from partaking in the Eucharist. That which is a spiritual hospital to you comes with some rather high immovable barriers for me
Well, they did the right thing. The Eucharist is not a means to achieving, but an expression of theological union. Since the Eastern Orthodox Churches still have several rather serious theological disagreements with the Church in Rome, neither can we nor can the Latins partake of each others Eucharist.
Pope Benedict XVI was received at the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchy in Istanbul, Turkey, as primus inter pares (first among equals), but because he doesn't teach orthodox doctrine, neither did he nor did any of his entourage partake in the Eucharist, and they knew not to ask for it.