You wrote:
“Frankly I don’t understand why Catholics don’t wish to admit they believe Mary to be co-equal with the Son, that she imparts grace, that the atonement is nothing more than Christ showing us how to live, that the inspired works in scripture is no more than any other writings, or that they actually do worship (yes, not venerate) relics and Mary.
But then, perhaps I do and I suspect they know also.”
Wow, that has to be one of the most ridiculous and erroneous posted things I’ve ever seen. That’s worse than the bunny with a pancake on its head. Let’s see:
1. “Frankly I don’t understand why Catholics don’t wish to admit they believe Mary to be co-equal with the Son,”
Well, it’s probably because none of us believe it. I’ve never encountered a single Catholic who does believe it. Not one.
2. “that she imparts grace,”
What she does with grace is merely as a vessel used by God.
3. “that the atonement is nothing more than Christ showing us how to live,”
I’m not even sure what that’s supposed to mean. I always thought the atonement was Christ dying on the cross for our sins, you know, the redemption. Gee, do you anti-Catholics believe something differently?
4. “that the inspired works in scripture is no more than any other writings,”
We believe that the scriptures are inspired and inerrant. No other writings are both inspired and inerrant.
5. “or that they actually do worship (yes, not venerate) relics and Mary.”
I know of no Catholic who worships Mary or relics. We do venerate them.
I’m not even sure what that’s supposed to mean. I always thought the atonement was Christ dying on the cross for our sins, you know, the redemption. Gee, do you anti-Catholics believe something differently?
One aspect of the atonement is called by some "exemplary". At the most insipid level (but still of some merit) is the idea that IHS shows teaches us the real moral deal. At a more interesting level it comes to an appreciation of what it means that IHS is the perfect revelation of God. So, if you want to know what divine bliss and power are like, look at a baby in swaddling clothes or a man on a cross.
Certainly both in theory and in practice, knowing more about what God wants and what He's like is helpful in enjoying and deepening one's relationship with Him.
However to pretend that the Church which articulated in Anselm, the idea of a sacrificial atonement doesn't believe it is crazy, ignorant, or malicious.