Protestants honest question about Mary

[rinnie]

This question is for Protestants who have been on this site for awhile.

Can you say that the questions that you have had on Mary, and the answers you got here helped you at all to understand why we hold her to such high standards?

And can any of you honestly say that you understand now the truth and how we honor her in our faith?

And can any of you honestly say that you can find yourself finding confort in her prayers now, and can feel any closer to her, after you have heard of our great Love for her?

 

[Departed_Light]

Excellent questions!

Can you say that the questions that you have had on Mary, and the answers you got here helped you at all to understand why we hold her to such high standards?

Yes.

And can any of you honestly say that you understand now the truth and how we honor her in our faith?

I understand why she is honored and why she should be in the Christian faith. I do think that some Catholics take this too far. I do not agree with the ideas of Mary being a co-redeemer of the human race or a co-mediatrix in an equal capacity as Jesus. There are ideas about Mary that must be held by individuals in order for them to be in full communion with the Roman See that I do not hold, like her assumption and her being spared the stain of original sin, and that she never sinned. I do understand why Catholics believe these things as it has been stated very well several times by several posters.

And can any of you honestly say that you can find yourself finding comfort in her prayers now, and can feel any closer to her, after you have heard of our great Love for her?

I do not find comfort nor the absence of comfort in believing Mary prays for me and my family when I have asked her to. The comfort comes from knowing that the One to whom we all pray hears our prayers.

 

[crazzeto]

Excellent questions!Yes.I understand why she is honored and why she should be in the Christian faith. I do think that some Catholics take this too far. I do not agree with the ideas of Mary being a co-redeemer of the human race or a co-mediatrix in an equal capacity as Jesus.

Neither do Catholics, it should be stated. No creature is of equal status to Jesus, because no creature (even Mary) is capable of, in and of them selves, bestowing God’s grace upon any other creature. All creatures, including Mary, get grace from God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) for specific purposes. In the case of Mary, she is able, in a way, to act as a mechinism distributing Gods grace. If Grace is like water, then Mary could be thought of sort of as a sprinkler. The sprinkler can’t get the water on it’s own and start distributing it on a lawn, it receives the water (Grace) from a source such as your local water utility (God) and then distributes it.

Does this answer your last question (you didn’t know you were asking lol) about Mary?

There are ideas about Mary that must be held by individuals in order for them to be in full communion with the Roman See that I do not hold, like her assumption and her being spared the stain of original sin, and that she never sinned. I do understand why Catholics believe these things as it has been stated very well several times by several posters.I do not find comfort nor the absence of comfort in believing Mary prays for me and my family when I have asked her to. The comfort comes from knowing that the One to whom we all pray hears our prayers.

What about her propetual virginity?

 

[Publisher]

This question is for Protestants who have been on this site for awhile.

Can you say that the questions that you have had on Mary, and the answers you got here helped you at all to understand why we hold her to such high standards?

I** understand the high regard that Catholics have for Mary. I understand too that the high regard is tied up withing the Marian dogmas not held by other Christians and why they are important to Catholics.**

And can any of you honestly say that you understand now the truth and how we honor her in our faith?

I understand why Catholics/Orthodox honor her…yes.

And can any of you honestly say that you can find yourself finding confort in her prayers now, and can feel any closer to her, after you have heard of our great Love for her?

No, I have no “comfort” or “discomfort” in her prayers, if indeed she prays for us. I feel close to her as a fellow believer. I see her as a great source of inspiriation as she said “Yes” to God’s call to service…something each of us should emulate.

 

[sckcd]

This question is for Protestants who have been on this site for awhile.

Can you say that the questions that you have had on Mary, and the answers you got here helped you at all to understand why we hold her to such high standards?

**Sort of. I still don’t get it, though. I am trying to understand. I do hold her in high regard (always have), but I just can’t get her on the pedestal that you guys do. **

And can any of you honestly say that you understand now the truth and how we honor her in our faith?

see above. I can see where she should be respected and such but I just don’t see her the same.

And can any of you honestly say that you can find yourself finding confort in her prayers now, and can feel any closer to her, after you have heard of our great Love for her?

I tried to, but I just can’t pray to anyone but God. I think she was a wonderful woman but I just can’t pray to a person, Mary, a saint, or otherwise. I tried, but it doesn’t feel right.

 

[LutheranDK]

This question is for Protestants who have been on this site for awhile.

Can you say that the questions that you have had on Mary, and the answers you got here helped you at all to understand why we hold her to such high standards?

And can any of you honestly say that you understand now the truth and how we honor her in our faith?

And can any of you honestly say that you can find yourself finding confort in her prayers now, and can feel any closer to her, after you have heard of our great Love for her?

“No” to all of the questions. Because I have not yet been given any reason to believe such things, that are not non-sequiturs, appeals to emotions, etc.

 

[BrianH]

I have been here “awhile”
Yes.
No. The word truth implies I agree. I cannot say I do although I probably agree more than some on here and less than others.
No.

 

[Radical]

This question is for Protestants who have been on this site for awhile.

Can you say that the questions that you have had on Mary, and the answers you got here helped you at all to understand why we hold her to such high standards?

I believe that I understand the reasons more than when I first got here…but not so much b/c of answers…but rather b/c of what the devotees are inclined to volunteer (over and over again).

And can any of you honestly say that you understand now the truth and how we honor her in our faith?

The truth and your faith are two different things, right?

And can any of you honestly say that you can find yourself finding confort in her prayers now, and can feel any closer to her, after you have heard of our great Love for her?

No. IMHO Catholic Mariology (as much as anything else) serves as decisive evidence for the ability of the CC to err in its official teaching.

 

[rinnie]

[SIGN][/SIGN]

I believe that[SIGN] I understand the reasons more than when I first got here…[/SIGN].but not so much b/c of answers…but rather b/c of what the devotees are inclined to volunteer (over and over again).

The truth and your faith are two different things, right?

No. IMHO Catholic Mariology (as much as anything else) serves as decisive evidence for the ability of the CC to err in its official teaching.

I will take that as a positive

 

[rinnie]

[SIGN][/SIGN]

I have been here “awhile”
Yes.
No. The word truth implies I agree. I cannot say I do although I probably agree more than some on here and less than others.
No.

Good, thats a positive thing.

 

[JonNC]

This question is for Protestants who have been on this site for awhile.

Can you say that the questions that you have had on Mary, and the answers you got here helped you at all to understand why we hold her to such high standards?

And can any of you honestly say that you understand now the truth and how we honor her in our faith?

And can any of you honestly say that you can find yourself finding confort in her prayers now, and can feel any closer to her, after you have heard of our great Love for her?

Hi rinnie. As you know, I absolutely respect Catholic mariology, and in fact share a good bit of it. THe only question I have is why the Catholic Church feels it is important to bind the consciences of believers on this matter?

Jon

 

[rinnie]

“No” to all of the questions. Because I have not yet been given any reason to believe such things, that are not non-sequiturs, appeals to emotions, etc.

You are not understanding my question, I don’t think. I am not by any means asking you if we convinced you in anyway. I am asking if you feel as much as you do not agree with our faith, and belief’s. If you at least have been explained what we believe. If it was clear to you.

I don’t want this to be a Mary debate per say, My main question was like this an example:

Do you pray to Mary. (protestatant)

We ask Mary to pray for us. We understand Mary’s Power is through her prayers. It is still up to God, he is the Person who answers our prayer. (Catholic response).

See what I mean? My main goal on this site for the last few years was to show the truth in what our church teaches. Rather you agree or disagree with our teaching’s isn’t the question. That we have no control over. Only the HS can do that.

 

[spoiltvictorian]

1. Yes, quite a bit.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.

Man down!

 

[rinnie]

Hi rinnie. As you know, I absolutely respect Catholic mariology, and in fact share a good bit of it. THe only question I have is why the Catholic Church feels it is important to bind the consciences of believers on this matter?

Jon

Hi Jon, and to answer your question we don’t feel that way at all. And we couldn’t do that anyway. My main reason in defending it was never in defense of my Church. My was because of the Love and help she has given to me.

It was Like God has so much faith and Love for her, and has given us such a wonderful gift in her, and she is such a gently wonderful asset to us all. To me to share her with others was more of a gift I wanted everyone to have. A gift always given to others out of pure love is all.

 

[dianaiad]

This question is for Protestants who have been on this site for awhile.

Can you say that the questions that you have had on Mary, and the answers you got here helped you at all to understand why we hold her to such high standards?

Why, yes… I can say that I have learned a great deal about the veneration you all hold for Mary.

And can any of you honestly say that you understand now the truth and how we honor her in our faith?

Well, no and yes. “No,” because the question 'understand now the truth…" presumes that I have come to agree with you about Marian doctrine and practices. I don’t. “Yes,” because I understand that you believe sincerely the things you claim, and because I understand what it is you DO believe, rather than what anti-Catholics claim you believe. That’s a good thing, right?

And can any of you honestly say that you can find yourself finding confort in her prayers now, and can feel any closer to her, after you have heard of our great Love for her?

er…no…I understand how YOU do, though. My own opinion of Mary as the mother of Christ is unchanged; she was and is a very, very special woman. I do not hold her in the same veneration you do; perpetual virginity, immaculate conception, assumption…nope, none of those. I have come to believe that the most special thing about Mary is that she WAS simply a woman like me; born to the same condition I was, giving birth in the same messy way and with the same results as I did, who lived and died doing the very best she could with the situation she was in; and doing so with grace, faith and courage. It seems to me that assigning all these special things to her…like being born without sin (wait. come to think of it, I DO believe she was born without sin. But then…so was I.), or being a perpetual virgin even though she gave birth, and being taken to heaven without dying…is somehow diminishing her; if not her, then us. How can we have any hope of salvation, or coming to be like God and His Son, or living with Them, if all this …stuff…had to be done to Mary so that she could give birth to Him?

It makes me feel a little hopeless. However, if she, though a very special young girl (and she was only thirteen or fourteen) was really no different from the rest of woman kind, then there is hope for the rest of us.

But that’s just my take.

What I do understand is how your special respect for her almost demands that all these things be added…I’m sorry, I’m saying this badly. Suffice it to say that while I do not share all your beliefs about her, I understand that YOU believe, and respect that.

 

[rinnie]

Why, yes… I can say that I have learned a great deal about the veneration you all hold for Mary.

Well, no and yes. “No,” because the question 'understand now the truth…" presumes that I have come to agree with you about Marian doctrine and practices. I don’t. “Yes,” because I understand that you believe sincerely the things you claim, and because I understand what it is you DO believe, rather than what anti-Catholics claim you believe. That’s a good thing, right?

er…no…I understand how YOU do, though. My own opinion of Mary as the mother of Christ is unchanged; she was and is a very, very special woman. I do not hold her in the same veneration you do; perpetual virginity, immaculate conception, assumption…nope, none of those. I have come to believe that the most special thing about Mary is that she WAS simply a woman like me; born to the same condition I was, giving birth in the same messy way and with the same results as I did, who lived and died doing the very best she could with the situation she was in; and doing so with grace, faith and courage. It seems to me that assigning all these special things to her…like being born without sin (wait. come to think of it, I DO believe she was born without sin. But then…so was I.), or being a perpetual virgin even though she gave birth, and being taken to heaven without dying…is somehow diminishing her; if not her, then us. How can we have any hope of salvation, or coming to be like God and His Son, or living with Them, if all this …stuff…had to be done to Mary so that she could give birth to Him?

It makes me feel a little hopeless. However, if she, though a very special young girl (and she was only thirteen or fourteen) was really no different from the rest of woman kind, then there is hope for the rest of us.

But that’s just my take.

What I do understand is how your special respect for her almost demands that all these things be added…I’m sorry, I’m saying this badly. Suffice it to say that while I do not share all your beliefs about her, I understand that YOU believe, and respect that.

No No, You are doing fine, and you are being honest. Its okay. But that’s really the kind of answer I am looking for.

 

[lil_flower_luv]

Hi Jon!

Hi rinnie. As you know, I absolutely respect Catholic mariology, and in fact share a good bit of it. THe only question I have is why the Catholic Church feels it is important to bind the consciences of believers on this matter?

Jon

I have been asked a question similar to this before. Please let me know if I misinterpreted what you were trying to say. First of all: it is the Catholic Church’s obligation to teach what we know and believe to be true. Mary will intercede for you whether you care/know or not. She plays a role in your salvation whether you care/know or not. That’s how good and precious she is. There are those who will live a whole life and never know Mary but may know God and still get to Heaven. I think that what really matters is that if you do know about Our Lady, and understand her position (Mother to Jesus and to all), you give her the love and respect she is due. Because what you give her, you give to God. When you love her and hold her close to your heart, you are doing the same to God. IMO that is the important thing.

+JMJ+

 

[rinnie]

Hi Jon!

I have been asked a question similar to this before. Please let me know if I misinterpreted what you were trying to say. First of all: it is the Catholic Church’s obligation to teach what we know and believe to be true. Mary will intercede for you whether you care/know or not. She plays a role in your salvation whether you care/know or not. That’s how good and precious she is. There are those who will live a whole life and never know Mary but may know God and still get to Heaven. I think that what really matters is that if you do know about Our Lady, and understand her position (Mother to Jesus and to all), you give her the love and respect she is due. Because what you give her, you give to God. When you love her and hold her close to your heart, you are doing the same to God. IMO that is the important thing.

+JMJ+

Beautiful Lil

 

[lil_flower_luv]

Beautiful Lil

Thank you, Rinnie. Very good thread!

+JMJ+

 

[JonNC]

Hi Jon!

I have been asked a question similar to this before. Please let me know if I misinterpreted what you were trying to say. First of all: it is the Catholic Church’s obligation to teach what we know and believe to be true. Mary will intercede for you whether you care/know or not. She plays a role in your salvation whether you care/know or not. That’s how good and precious she is. There are those who will live a whole life and never know Mary but may know God and still get to Heaven. I think that what really matters is that if you do know about Our Lady, and understand her position (Mother to Jesus and to all), you give her the love and respect she is due. Because what you give her, you give to God. When you love her and hold her close to your heart, you are doing the same to God. IMO that is the important thing.

+JMJ+

lil,
These are beautiful sentiments, and I absolutely agree that the Blessed Virgin, along with the entire Church Triumphant prays for us, the Church Militant, constantly. I know who the Theotokos is, and I know what she did, even though she could have chosen not to.
Here’s my point, were I to come to the CC, I would have to accept that she can intercede for us as a result of our invocation. True? It cannot be an article of faith, because Catholics are not bound to practice intercessory prayer, just bound to believe it. This is my question. Why be bound to a belief that is not necessary for salvation?

Jon