>>and be with Christ, which is better by far; <<
So Paul is dead. And lying when he said he would be with Christ?
I would say that you and Petronski are indeed of the same ilk. Both of you are poorly schooled in logic and argument resolution.
Paul is dead. His body has surrendered to the corruption of the grave (sheol). His spirit is with the Lord. Upon the day of the Lord's glorious appearing, he will be raised to life. I am making an assumption that you have read the Bible? If so, then this should all be familiar as it is written. The status that the Roman Catholic Church has elevated Mary to has no basis in scripture as it is not written. It cannot even be assumed as there is no basis for what is written about her.