[BlatherNaut]

So Catholics can play semantic games all they want by redefining words and holding to their version of the letter of the Law, but bowing is bowing.

And displaying reverence (def: deep respect for someone or something, "rituals showed honor and reverence for the dead" - synonyms: high esteem, high regard, great respect, acclaim, admiration, appreciation, estimation, favor) toward the mother of Our Lord and Saviour is completely distinct from Divine Worship. However, falsely conflating a reverent gesture such as kneeling or bowing as a sign of respect for the Mother of Christ with Divine Worship, which is reserved for God alone, certainly qualifies as "playing semantic games."

God forbids idolatry. Mary, the Mother of God, is clearly not an idol, nor do Catholics "worship" her in any way. That would be a violation of the First Commandment. It's an absurd claim that the Catholic Church deifies Mary in violation of the First Commandment. Anyone who wants to find out the truth of the matter can quite easily research it for themselves.

God commands we honor our parents. We honor the Mother of God, the human mother of Our Saviour, in imitation of Christ. As the Most Perfect Son that ever walked the earth He fulfilled the Fourth Commandment by loving and honoring her perfectly. Mocking her, denigrating her, and even treating her dismissively are offenses against God's Commandment and against the Son of God.

[ealgeone]

Jesus never taught us to pray to Mary.

I never prayed to my parents when they were alive nor do I pray to them now as they cannot hear our prayers.

[CynicalBear]

Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:

Notice it does not say "bow down AND serve them", it says "bow down NOR serve them". That's the second commandment still even though Catholics have removed it.

[Elsie]

We honor the Mother of God, the human mother of Our Saviour, in imitation of Christ.

Oh?

I've yet to see any evidence that Jesus slathered the adjectives and adverbs on His mom like you Catholics do.

[Elsie]

Mocking her, denigrating her, and even treating her dismissively are offenses against God's Commandment and against the Son of God.

Sorry, BN, but I mock your chosen religion's artificially imaged woman.

One who is NOT found in Scripture.

Cling to her; plead with her, pray to her, and trust in her all you want; just give ME Jesus!

[metmom]

However, falsely conflating a reverent gesture such as kneeling or bowing as a sign of respect for the Mother of Christ with Divine Worship, which is reserved for God alone, certainly qualifies as "playing semantic games."

No. God said *Do not bow down to the carved images.*.

It needs no *interpretation*. Everyone can see what bowing down is and it breaks God's commandment.