I am a catholic so my views possibly will spark controversy for other Christians. My belief is that God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus for a reason. Shes was pure of sin, never hated anyone, and always did the right thing. Now Jesus is God the son and Mary is the Mother of Jesus. Then take into account the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God the Father chose Mary to be the Mother of God the Son aka. Jesus. Mary was the physical guide of Jesus on earth in that she was encouraging him to do right and teach him about his father in heaven. Mary not only accepted to conceive Jesus, (since she never had to and remember, in those days, having child could result in serious problems and/or death), but she also accepted to guide him through life as a motherly figure. So the Catholic church doesn't really worship Mary, more than we just revere Mary. Yes we have statues of Mary and Jesus but those are just to commemorate the the mother of Jesus. And when we pray to Mary, we are really just praying to God through Mary. Basically this is the order in which we worship: God or the trinity as one, then Mary, then the angels, then the saints aka. people who are well known in carrying out the works of God through changing the world, preforming miracles, or acts of kindness.

I think she was a sinner like the rest of us... however, she was important in that she bore Jesus in the womb but that did not give her divinity. Another way to describe it is in the way that the Tabernacle (or temple) of God in the Old Testament contained a room called the Holy of Holies where the Spirit of the Lord dwelt; in a way Mary's womb virtually became God's temple. Now, Christians aren't literally carrying Jesus the way Mary did but in a way we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says:

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

Also, Matthew 12:47-50:

Then one said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You." But He answered and said to the one who told Him, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! "For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."

I think the story of Mary teaches us that God's best servants are often plain people available to Him and His plans involve extraordinary events in ordinary people. I think that her story serves as an example to us all of how she knew and applied God's Word (which was that the Messiah was to be born of a virgin), this was her accomplishment. As such, we too are to know and apply His Word (the Bible) and be willing to be available to Him. Furthermore, I don't believe in prayer through Mary for the Bible says that there is only "one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).

The only thing special about Mary was that she gave birth to God, that's all. She was a person like anyone else, a sinner. Even if she isn't worshiped, holding a human in such high reverence is something to be careful with.

Hoochman : Not to really start an argument but you say it as if giving birth to God, creator of the universe, wasn't a big deal. No she shouldn't be worshiped as a god but should be revered since she is ultimately human.

seeron : No, I think its a big deal that she gave birth to Jesus. But that does not change that she is a human. The only humans I hold in high reverence are the disciples and Paul and his followers because of what they did with the ministry. I'm not against revering Mary I just think you need to be careful when you revere someone so that you don't have to much reverence.

Hoochman : I agree with you on all those points, but the way I see it, Mary is the mother of the Christian church, and if I ever had trouble in my family relationships, I turned to Mary for help and guidance that only a mother could give, and I haven't had a better relationship with my family after I turned to Mary.

Mary is no different from the rest of us. A sinner who played a role in God's overall plan. Even Mary herself placed her praises to God, knowing that she is only God's servant. (Luke 1:46-49)

I think the main dilemma here is the praying to Mary and the saints. Even if you say that they don't worship Mary, the fact that it is praying to Mary is showing a type of worship. Nowhere in the Bible will you see believers praying to a specific important person in the Bible. The only one that they do pray is to God (which includes Jesus). tRIUNE was thinking the same verse that I was thinking. "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," (1 Timothy 2:5)

not only that... but aren't there at least a few select incidents where an angel visits someone and they try to worship the angel and they are forbidden from doing do?

My first thought would be John, but I can't think of a reference. Either way I view prayer as part of the way I worship and form a relationship with God. In no place in the Bible can I think of anyone being told to pray to anyone but God.

"I agree with you on all those points, but the way I see it, Mary is the mother of the Christian church"

Mary was a mother to Jesus, but not to the church; the church is figuratively the body of Christ, not literally. Colossians 1:18 says that Jesus is the head of the body, the church, and that in Him all things have the preeminence. Although some debate concerning Mary's role as coredemptrix with Christ, I believe that Christ is the only Redeemer, the only Mediator, and the only Savior. Only He gives us access to the presence of God. Further, Jesus expressly said to pray "Our Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:9) so I don’t think that praying to anyone else , other than God (i.e. any Person of the Trinity) is necessary.