“Do you suppose this worship or veneration of Mary, whatever they want to call it, is part of the paganism that was added, to attract pagans to the church?”
Absolutely. Pagans were folded into the 200-400 ad church and pagan customs and beliefs were also instituted into that church.
Catholics today are practicing a form of syncretic paganism when they pray to Mary, make idols, idolize departed saints, etc. They are completely unaware and trusting of their church.
Since I am a former catholic, I understand that. The first few months of being a born again believer, were an eye opener for me, as the false doctrines that I had so willingly accepted previously, just melted away.
Since I had been a deceived catholic, and NEVER had any assurance of salvation, it took me a couple of months to fully understand the concept of eternal security, but I eventually figured it out. 😀