As a matter of fact it is!
Most of my Catholic friends venerate Mary, however there a couple that have, over the years gotten to a point where Christ/God is not even mentioned anymore or alluded too in conversation, due to their focus being concentrated on Mary….and not for the purpose of her leading the way to her Son…but specifically for what “she” does for them……He’s never mentioned….the entrance hallways to one of their homes resembles a shrine to Mary and in the other’s a bedroom has become shrine like also….statues/prayer cards/rosary beads….all Marian….and it really does “appear” like another religion when you experience a conversation with them. There eyes literally glaze over at the mention of Jesus’ name and they begin talking about Mary and all her wonders.
One actually told me that it is safer to go to Mary….she’d rather go to her than to Jesus as she was a bit afraid of Him.
I’ve been trying to understand for awhile now,what has happened to them…whether it is their lack of understanding as to what the Catholic Church actually teaches – however they seemed to have had the same grasp of understanding for quite some time as to what some have exhibited in here and other forums of discussion and as my other Catholic friends do, what I mean to say is that they aren’t able apparently, to ‘distinguish’ the differences of worship…as is evidenced in their actions/reactions (see above).
Then I saw this particular thread:
“To set the Record straight Catholics do not worship Mary!”
I wasn’t quite expecting what I found when I read the opening post for it.
I think the word “ALL” made me take notice and set me off!
While at times it’s been a bumpy ride - if nothing else, I am sure getting a variety of comments and questions and different Catholic perspectives, even from reading other posts that aren’t mine.