Aliska, that was a very interesting read. I’m glad you posted it, even if you thought it was too long. I have very little comment on it because it many ways we agree.
One point I would touch on, in defense of my fellow evangelicals/Protestants. I don’t think we have any shortage of love for Mary, as for any person God has blessed so richly. What we react to (and I think I speak for most of us) is whatever seems to displace Christ as the Mediator of salvation. We have had it argued to us that we are not perceiving these actions toward Mary correctly, that what we think is worship, or reliance upon for salvation, directed at Mary, is more subtle that what our eyes and ears are telling us. But that doesn’t help us at all. From our point of view, saying down is up or black is white just doesn’t go anywhere. And so we come to an impasse. But not for lack of love to all the heroes of the faith, including Mary. That accusation against us is false, and I wish it could be avoided, but it does seem to come up often enough.
Anyway, thanks again for your response. I did enjoy it.
Peace,
SR
Amen, you spoke for me too brother.
I'm sure most Protestants love Mary; it's not only here but sometimes they argued a lot about religion on usenet, and you come away with the impression that they don't like her.
We had a Polish lady helping me take care of my aunt. Somewhere she had gotten an Ideals magazine and found a picture of Mary. I was Protestant at the time. Says she, and she didn't get it from me, "Protestants no like Mary". No, says I, "Protestants love Mary, they just don't (and I made a sign with my hands in prayer) to Mary. Any more would have been beyond our ability to communicate.
Technically, Catholics don't worship Mary, but it comes perilously close. In my Marian struggles, I had a problem with Mary as Mediatrix of All Graces; I don't believe the church ever approved that but many wanted it so.
It was explained to me by a deacon. In Catholicity, there are three types of worship, think he used that word. Dulia, hyperdulia, and latria. The latter is reserved only for God. Hyperdulia (did a quick google and different definitions) is dulia to the max. Dulia is veneration. If they call it veneration, I don't consider that worship. There are some saints I honor or venerate but don't pray to them. I used to. But I believe the saints (many, many unknown by name to us) are sentient beings awaiting the Resurrection, not sleeping in the dust. But if we do sleep in the dust, it could be millenia and only feel like a blink of an eye, like it is for most going under anesthia. You wake up, and there is no sense that any time has elapsed, at least with me, but that could vary depending on it it took right, etc. I waked up in the middle of it once. Luckily I was only having a baby so it was painful but nothing like any form of surgery.
I'm glad you clarified that for me. Thank you!