[Aquinasfan]

It doesn't matter HOW many conversions it brought about.

"You will know a tree by its fruit." --Jesus

I am sure that we both would agree that if tomorrow 9 million Hindus became Budhists we would not marvel and think this was God at work. From the Budhist's perspective they might.

But we're not talking about non-Christian religions. We're talking about 9 million conversions to Christianity. Does that sound like the work of Satan?

"If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?" --Jesus

So? Doesn't anyone stop and think that this person could have 1) been deceived or 2) been a deceiver?

See above.

Perhaps, except to say that God the Father is not recounted in the story. Mary is talking about coming to her, not the Father.

Sometimes Christians aid other people without invoking God's name. That does't make their actions intrinsically evil. Besides, in the account I read she identified herself as the Mother of God. She also instructed Juan Diego to go to see his bishop --to go to the Church. The connection with Christ's Church is quite clear.

1 Timothy 3:15

if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

And the magicians in Egypt were able to do miraculous signs. Simon in Acts was also.

And the devil may appear as an angel of light.

But what fruit did these signs bear? Again, Satan would not work a sign that would result in the mass conversion of pagans. His kingdom would be divided against itself.

[HarleyD]

HD-It doesn't matter HOW many conversions

Jesus-"You will know a tree by its fruit."

Numbers of conversions are a poor measurement of spiritual life. Elijah lamented that no one in Israel was left. Jeremiah weeped at the people's hardness. Noah preached all the while building an ark for eight.

If we want to use conversion as a measuring tool, we would have to say Islam is correct which is the fastest growing religion.

We're talking about 9 million conversions to Christianity. Does that sound like the work of Satan?

At great risk of drawing the ire of many Catholics, if we objectively look at this incidence, we are basing this whole situation on an apparition of Mary telling people to construct a "temple" to her so she will bless the people. If people followed her advise, they were not converted because there is no call for repentence and asking God for forgiveness as required in scripture. God uses all things to His glory so it is entirely possible that some of these people understood the message and "saw the light" so to speak. But, based upon what Juan told everone, this is not the gospel message.

Sometimes Christians aid other people without invoking God's name. That does't make their actions intrinsically evil.

And invoking God's name doesn't make their actions entirely righteous.