I'm not presuming to speak for all "protestants" here, so hear me out and let me know your opinion(s)...
I don't think for one minute that those who disparage the praying, veneration, worship, whatever, to, for, or of, Mary, are doing so in any way to be hateful towards the mother of Jesus Christ. I think we have all consistently said she is blessed, honored, admired and held in esteem. It is the unbiblical notions and the extra-scriptural doctrines that "gets my (our) goat".
Here's an idea...folks want to pray "to" Mary and use all those flowery labels for her, go ahead, I won't and can't stop them. But, by the same token, they should not presume to tell, or insist, that others MUST also do the same as they do in order to be considered Christians. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt where faith is concerned. If the gospel, as clearly explained in scripture, is believed and acknowledged, who am I to judge what should be between a person and God? He alone sees the heart, I can only see the outward appearance - the fruit.
BTW...I'm trying out a new tagline.
I disagree. I will go only this far. i think some of the anti-Catholics have made the kind of choice which pretty much makes insight impossible. So, I'm conceding, they don't understand that they are dominated by hatred and anger, but they are. Most of what they say is angry and hateful.
However I hasten to say that there are a lot, a whole big lot, of non-Catholics who are still honestly seeking the truth. A candid seeker of the truth is always beautiful, even when he's disagreeing with me.
WELL PUT.
THX.