[rwa265]

That should be sufficient evidence as to why we are not to pray to Mary or any departed or existing believer.

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And yet Christians have been praying to Mary, departed believers, and existing believers virtually since the beginning of Christianity. Are there any commentaries that explain why the evidence from Scripture that was not sufficient during all those centuries suddenly became sufficient within the last 200-300 years?

[ealgeone]

And yet Christians have been praying to Mary, departed believers, and existing believers virtually since the beginning of Christianity.

Of which we only have evidence beginning in the 3rd century.

It doesn't take a long time for false teaching to creep in. Recall, Paul and John wrote against the false teachings of their day.

[Elsie]

And yet Christians have been praying to Mary, departed believers, and existing believers virtually since the beginning of Christianity.

I guess that explains how those 7 (at least) Catholic churches in Asia went off the rails.