[Kansas58]

Yes, it can be taken too far.
I get embarrassed when Mexican Catholics seem to see visions of Mary in everything from coffee stains, bread crusts or other strange things.

Why is it that Catholics from Norway, Canada or Australia never seem to have such visions?

Even so, a proper understanding of the Saints, including Mary, clearly makes the distinction between Deity and Saintly members of the Faithful.

I think you display some conflict, in your own post.

I also think it is important to note that there really was NO BIBLE in the first 300 or so years of the Church, that nobody alive at the time of Jesus even envisioned a Bible, as Christianity was an oral tradition at that time, and that “Bible Worship” among some Protestants is every bit as bad as “Mary Worship” among some Catholics.

[Mr Rogers]

“I also think it is important to note that there really was NO BIBLE in the first 300 or so years of the Church, that nobody alive at the time of Jesus even envisioned a Bible, as Christianity was an oral tradition at that time, and that “Bible Worship” among some Protestants is every bit as bad as “Mary Worship” among some Catholics. “

So when Jesus said, “It is written...”, he was lying?

[Christian Engineer Mass]

I appreciate and respect the tone of your post.

My main reply is re: “Bible Worship” among some Protestants is every bit as bad as “Mary Worship” among some Catholics

Really? Can you cite examples of protestants praying to the Bible? Can you cite examples of protestants worshipping the Bible, with phrases like "hail Bible"?

Believing God's word to be inerrant is to worship its creator.

In America particularly, there are a lot of faithful catholics. There have been documented instances where catholics have been filled with the Spirit. I prefer for us to focus on what we have in common (maybe 98%?). It concerns me that most of the Catholic posts by certain posters concern the other 2%. It reminds me of Philippians 1:15.

[peteram]

I get embarrassed when Mexican Catholics seem to see visions of Mary in everything from coffee stains, bread crusts or other strange things. Why is it that Catholics from Norway, Canada or Australia never seem to have such visions?

Actually there is a woman visionary who lives outside Atlanta, GA that was having visions throughout the mid to late 1990's. I went up with some friends to experience one of the many prayer vigils and just before the prayers started - on a crystal clear blue cloudless sky, there appeared a perfectly formed cross of clouds. There was no mistaking it or interpreting it. It was very distinctive.

While there are no longer any organized prayer vigils on the property, I understand that she still does have visions in private.

And it wasn't Mary worshiping. My belief is that we Catholics pray to the saints (and Mary) for intercession before the Lord.

[RobRoy]

>>Even so, a proper understanding of the Saints, including Mary, clearly makes the distinction between Deity and Saintly members of the Faithful.<<

I think the rub is the word “proper”. For starters, I believe that the bible uses the word “saints” to describe all followers of Jesus.

I agree with you about Bible worship. I think both sides (and I point a finger at myself when I say this) are guilty, from time to time, of complaining about the sliver in the other side’s eye while ignoring the log in their own.

I will say this though: What is written in the bible takes precedent over what any man says - even “early church fathers.”

[Siena Dreaming]

I also think it is important to note that there really was NO BIBLE in the first 300 or so years of the Church, that nobody alive at the time of Jesus even envisioned a Bible

Really? So the writings of Moses, Isaiah, David, etc. aren't the Bible in your view?