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To: CynicalBear

You wrote:

“A belief so central to Catholics wasn’t taught by the Apostles or even mentioned in scripture? Give me a break.”

Learn to read. I said Revelation 12. That being said, no, something that we might all consider important does not have to be in scripture. Example = what books belong in the Bible.

“We can look to pagan beliefs to find the origin however.”

No, actually we can’t. We can’t do that anymore than all those claims that the story of Jesus is just a pagan story. Idiots make claims, but they are easily refuted: http://www.philvaz.com/apologetics/JesusEvidenceCrucifiedSaviors.htm
There is, in fact, no demonstrable connection between the Virgin Mary and pagan stories.

“LOL The woman in Revelation 12 is Israel. In no way does it represent Mary.”

No, actually the woman in Rev. 12 is Mary, Israel and the Church. That’s the way orthodox Christians have always seen it. Only modern Protestants don’t. Even early Protestants often saw it.


23 posted on 04/22/2012 7:08:19 PM PDT by vladimir998
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To: vladimir998
>>There is, in fact, no demonstrable connection between the Virgin Mary and pagan stories.<<

Oh really? Jeremiah castigates the people for making offerings to the queen of heaven.

Jeremiah 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

And isn’t it interesting that the concept of Mary being the “mother of God” was declared in Ephesus where Diana was worshiped as the “queen of heaven”. We find the pressure put on the Apostles from Ephesus in Acts 19.

Acts 19:24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.`

Incorporating pagan symbols, rituals, and practices seems to be the Catholic Churches way to placate those who it wants to become members.

There are other references to the “queen of heaven” concept in pagan religions which God called an abomination. Now would you find that concept contained in anything the Apostles or Jesus taught?

31 posted on 04/23/2012 9:44:22 AM PDT by CynicalBear
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