I have read many of the posts, and was disappointed that so many were felt the need to ridicule, denounce, and hurt fellow Christians with sometimes mean and spiteful words. I understand that most Protestant Christians do not understand the role of Mary and the saints in the Catholic Church and that they have been misguided into believing that we worship Mary, pray TO saints, etc.,etc.
I hope that everyone will pray for civilty and peace on Free Republic and realize that we are all children of God, that all Christians believe in Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity, and that we are united in more than we are divided.
Protestant Reformers, that many of non-Catholic Christians look to for justification, also believed in the Divine Motherhood of Mary:
German reformer Martin Luther's (1483-1546) writings often address the subject of Mary: On the Divine Motherhood of Mary, he wrote In this work whereby she was made the Mother of God, so many and such great good things were given her that no one can grasp them. ... Not only was Mary the mother of him who is born [in Bethlehem], but of him who, before the world, was eternally born of the Father, from a Mother in time and at the same time man and God. (Weimer's The Works of Luther, English translation by Pelikan, Concordia, St. Louis, v. 7, p. 572.)Luther, true to Catholic tradition, wrote on the Virginity of Mary: It is an article of faith that Mary is Mother of the Lord and still a virgin. ... Christ, we believe, came forth from a womb left perfectly intact. (Weimer's The Works of Luther, English translation by Pelikan, Concordia, St. Louis, v.11, pp. 319-320; v. 6. p. 510.)
I hope and pray that there will be more kind words and less hostility when Christians -- Catholic and Protestant -- discuss Our Lord and our faith.
God bless.