[wagglebee]

Yeah, I know. I was being sarcastic.

For the record, I think that Martin Luther is one of the most remarkable and fascinating men ever and I have no qualms about admitting that. I obviously don't agree with all of his conclusions, but I do not think he acted with any malice. Pope Benedict has also studied Luther extensively and has spoken about it on occasion.

For what it's worth, I think the focus was put on Mary sometime in the 18th or 19th centuries when anti-Catholic bigots started realizing that the religious wars had ended and that many Protestants didn't seem to hate Catholics to the extent that these bigots felt was necessary.

[redgolum]

BXVI comes off sounding very, well, Lutheran, at times. Enough so that I can use him to slightly annoy my mother in law.

But, then she buys me a book on Padre Pio (written by a Lutheran, which is funny), and I buy her a book by Bonhoeffer.. Next thing you know we are sitting chatting about theology and such while the rest of the family plays cards.

[Quester]

For what it's worth, I think the focus was put on Mary sometime in the 18th or 19th centuries when anti-Catholic bigots started realizing that the religious wars had ended and that many Protestants didn't seem to hate Catholics to the extent that these bigots felt was necessary.

I think that it was when lay christians began to have the opportunity to read their Bibles.

Of course, to you ... it's all about Protestant hatred.

Not that there was any forgoing Catholic hatred.