At the cross Jesus told John “behold your mother”. Mary is the mother of all those who wish to come Jesus.
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That is nonsense. Jesus did tell John to behold His mother but that meant that since Jesus would no longer be there to take care of His mother that He was giving responsibility of taking care of His mother to John.
Mary was a very fine woman indeed but we have no reason to believe she was deified. Mary also had mortal children and a mortal husband. She was a woman among women. When Christ told John to behold his mother He did not give His mother authority over John, in fact the opposite was true, John was the new caretaker of Mary.
The Church’s deification of Mary is a mistake, she does not hear or answer prayers IMHO. That being said most of us have religious beliefs that are nonsense to others. I hold no ill will because someone prays to Mary and I respect them for at least believing in something and following their beliefs, I just think that particular one is wrong.
The Catholic Church in no way deifies Mary. We in no way, shape, or form believe that she is God, ever was God, or ever will become God. She is in no way equal to God. We simply believe that because she is Jesus' mother, she is worthy of honor. Not the honor due to God alone, but the honor of being His mother and the "first Christian". Just as you would honor your best friend's mother, you should honor Jesus' mother if you consider Him to be your friend.
And just as, under some circumstances, you might ask your best friend's mother to encourage your friend to do something for you, you might also ask Jesus' mother to encourage Jesus to do something for you.
It is in that spirit that we Catholics honor and pray to Mary.
The words of the first half of the Hail Mary prayer come directly from the Gospel. The second half comes from our heart.
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Directly from the Gospel.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Actually, this part is based on Scripture, too... The intercession of Mary on behalf of the hosts of the wedding feast at Cana. With the confidence that comes from that example, its specific wording comes from our heart.
“The Church’s deification of Mary is a mistake, she does not hear or answer prayers IMHO”.
More Christians hold the Catholic view of the Blessed Mother than do not.
*** Mary also had mortal children and a mortal husband. She was a woman among women. When Christ told John to behold his mother He did not give His mother authority over John, in fact the opposite was true, John was the new caretaker of Mary.***
If Mary had other mortal children, then why did Jesus make John the new caretaker of Mary. Why wouldn’t one of her other children have that responsibility? Isn’t that what the Jews of the Old Testament did? All women were cared for by other living male relatives, no?
I agree and one of the MAIN reasons we know it is wrong is in exactly what this OP implies - "Protestants" can't be right with God if they aren't converted to the Roman Catholic religion and pray to Mary and the saints along with all the other additional, extra-Biblical strictures that go along with it.
I question both the sincerity and the faith of those Freepers who MUST post threads like these on a regular basis. Nobody is saved by being a Roman Catholic or any other Christian denomination, it is by grace THROUGH faith in Jesus Christ alone to the glory of GOD alone. Trying to condemn believers in Christ because they don't belong to ones chosen religion is a sad commentary on their own weak faith - one that has to build itself up by tearing others down.
“Mary was a very fine woman indeed but we have no reason to believe she was deified.”
You are absolutely correct. As a Catholic I know that she is not a goddess nor is she to be treated as one.