But the Mother of God? It may be a question of semantics, a problem inherent in the use of language, but the idea that God has/had a mother - in my limited brain (granted) - contradicts the very definition of God. God had/had no mother, no father. By the very nature of God, the Lord always was - 'as it was in the beginning, 'tis now and ever shall be'. To ascribe to him a human mother is to diminish him as well as elevate a creature above her very nature. I know this is 'heresy' culpable enough to warrant burning at the stake 500+ years ago, but fortunately we live in America in the 21st century which allows us to think for ourselves.
Then, again, if people want to believe that Mary was the mother of God, if it gives them comfort and consolation, so be it. In this mammoth and mysterious world we all need concepts and understandings to live by, to provide us courage when confronting crises, so our myths, be they myths, are excusable. Certainly none of us can fathom the unknown and unknowable dimensions of this huge and magnificent universe on our own, so we are led by our limitations to seek help from faith that religion provides.
My question is: why do we insist that our understanding is the only valid one, that all the other great thinkers of others ages and cultures are mistaken? There is an arrogance in this attitude that offends me and offends many others. It makes traditional Catholicism appear to be narrow-minded and oppressive when it comes to the freedom to wander the vast areas for theological exploration and arrive at various interpretations. I find such diversity stimulating. How dull a world it would be if we all conformed to the same cookie-cutter view of the world. While I embrace Christianity, there is much wisdom in the ancient teaching and writings of Hinduism, Buddhism, and other faith systems, and we should respect them and learn from them rather than treat them as inferior or 'heathenish'.
God bless people of every creed, color, culture and country. May religion serve as a bridge rather than as a barrier.