[SoothingDave]

464:

You need to understand that we respect, but we do not, nor will we ever, worship Mary. It seems to be a stumblingblock for all concerned

Neither do we "worship" Mary.

501:

Do you really think Mary would want to be likened to Ishtar?

No, so why do you do it? Are you having difficulty keeping track of a pagan goddess on one hand, and the Mother of Jesus on the other?

Still, we cannot get past the scripture that abhors the "Queen of Heaven". the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. Perhaps you can begin to understand our aversion. It isn't Mary, it's the title

This is about as superficial as you can get. If we find out some pagan cult thought of their God as "father" do we need to avoid that, too? Unless we get confused.

This is scraping the barrel.

SD

[Mr. Lucky]

It wouldn't surprise you in the least, I don't suppose, to know that Martin Luther professed the Immaculate Conception and perpetual virginity of Mary; that he venerated and sought her intercession, in his prayers.

Men have crowded all her glory into a single phrase, "the Mother of God". No one can say anything greater of her or to her, though he had as many tongues as there are leaves on the trees. (Explanation of the Magnificat, 1521)

[Mr. Lucky]

It wouldn't surprise you in the least, I don't suppose, to know that Martin Luther professed the Immaculate Conception and perpetual virginity of Mary; that he venerated and sought her intercession, in his prayers.

Men have crowded all her glory into a single phrase, "the Mother of God". No one can say anything greater of her or to her, though he had as many tongues as there are leaves on the trees. (Explanation of the Magnificat, 1521)