I have a lot of friends who are Catholic, plus many acquaintances. My husband and former pastor were both raised in the Catholic church. Many people who now attend our church were Catholic. I've heard about Mary so many times from them. I'm not anti-catholic, but I disagree with some of the church's teachings. I want people to know the truth, not just doctrine or writings from church fathers, etc. We all need to dig more into what God has to say about things. I think most of us are guilty of not doing that and just accepting what priests and ministers have to say without checking it out for ourselves.
Don't get me started about Catholics! Most of them, I will agree, have the theological mentality of a second grader. It comes down to priorities. Whether a person is Catholic or Protestant, one needs to set God as a high priority. When a person, either Catholic or Protestant, does not, there will be problems. That goes without saying. I think that while Protestantism can awaken within people the desire for God, I think that it stands on shaky theological grounds - especially Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura. It ignores the Living Tradition of the Church - which is guided by the Holy Spirit of God (as Jesus Christ promised). Some things that we NEED to know are just not in the Bible! I can't find a WORD about stem-cell research, but the people of today need guidance on proper moral action. We need interpreters with authority given from above, not private interpretation subject to error. That is my view on the matter.
Anything that brings people closer to God is not a bad thing. Thus, while I disagree with Protestant theology, I realize that God's Spirit works through their communities, as well.
Regards