[chesley]

Well, we'll have to disagree about that. Maybe I'm wrong; maybe not. I'm not convinced. Eternity will tell.

However, going extra-scriptural, I don't think a lot of Catholics understand your distinction between worship and honor, at least in Mary's case. I've lived in a Catholic Third World country, and I guarantee you that some of the Catholics there thought far more highly of Mary that of Jesus. I do understand that is not the official position of the Church.

Anyway, go with Christ. I don't think either of us is going to convince the other.

[bdeaner]

However, going extra-scriptural, I don't think a lot of Catholics understand your distinction between worship and honor, at least in Mary's case. I've lived in a Catholic Third World country, and I guarantee you that some of the Catholics there thought far more highly of Mary that of Jesus. I do understand that is not the official position of the Church.

I agree that many practicing Catholics worship Mary out of ignorance regarding the true teachings of the Church. This is going to be more likely in places like the Third World, where there are higher priorities than teaching the catechism. Worship of Mary, however, is heretical and does need to be corrected when it is seen. I should note, however, that Catholics are right to give Mary special honor, super-honor, in a similar way we might give honor to St. Paul, or Moses, or any other major figure in salvation history. The Bible says that she will be called blessed throughout all the ages, after all. Note: It is also okay to ask Mary for intercessory prayer -- to pray for us. We can do that as well with a deceased parent or to the Saints -- another point of disagreement among Catholics and Protestants that we can save for another discussion.

God bless.