The Virgin Mary is not recorded as having given any advice, so why do Catholics make  such a fuss about her?
548053
NO where in the bible does it say to pray to Mary,it is through Jesus,he is the way,to the Father(John 14:6-14)
1113032
Before we get into looking at specific Scriptures, it is important to understand why the Roman Catholic Church believes in the perpetual virginity of Mary. The Roman Catholic Church views Mary as "the Mother of God" and "Queen of Heaven." Catholics believe Mary to have an exalted place in Heaven, with the closest access to Jesus and God the Father. Such a concept is nowhere taught in Scripture. Further, even if Mary did occupy such an exalted position, her having sexual intercourse would not have prevented her from gaining such a position. Sex in marriage is not sinful. Mary would have in no way defiled herself by having sexual relations with Joseph her husband. The entire concept of the perpetual virginity of Mary is based on an unbiblical teaching, Mary as Queen of Heaven, and on an unbiblical understanding of sex.\n\nSo, what does the Bible say about the perpetual virginity of Mary? Using the New American Bible, which is a Catholic translation of the Bible, we can see that the perpetual virginity of Mary is not taught in the Bible. Matthew 1:25 NAB tells us, "He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus." He, Joseph, did not have sexual relations with her, Mary, UNTIL after she bore a son, Jesus." The meaning of this Scripture is abundantly clear. Joseph and Mary did not have sexual relations until after Jesus was born. Matthew 13:55-56 NAB declares, "Is He not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not His sisters all with us?" Catholics claim, correctly, that the Greek terms from "brothers" and "sisters" in these verses could also refer to male and female relatives, not necessarily literal brothers and sisters. However, the intended meaning is clear, they thought Jesus to be Joseph's son, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, and the brother of the unnamed and unnumbered sisters. Father, mother, brother, sister. It is straining the meaning of the text to interpret brothers and sisters as "cousins" or "relatives" with the mentioning of Jesus' mother and father.\n\n Matthew 12:46 NAB tells us, "While He was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and His brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with Him." See also Mark 3:31-34; Luke 8:19-21; John 2:12; and Acts 1:14. All mention Jesus' mother with His brothers. If they were His cousins, or the sons of Joseph from a previous marriage, why were they mentioned with Mary so often? The perpetual virginity of Mary cannot be drawn from Scripture. It must be forced on Scripture, in contradiction to what the Scriptures clearly state.
937527
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother Of God, is not recorded in the Bible. However, it is recorded in the Apocryphal New Testement, just as the Martyrdoms of the Apostles(with the exception of the Martyrdom of St. James, the brother of John)are not recorded anywhere in the Bible, but, are recorded in the Ancient writings of the Apocryphal New Testement.
1073454
Who?\nThe only background I know of the Virgin Mary is what is in the Bible and what tradition teaches and I must say I don't recall anything about being trained at the Temple as a request from her mother
1057330
The Bible says that only Jesus is the way to heaven. The vision of virgin Mary is real and also the Fatima, the devil can do tricks too and if you believe your eyes more than the Bible you will surely be decieved. The statue Mary and other such things are a form of idol worship and thus they should not be prayed to or look to guidance and forgiveness. Mary was a good woman as the Bible says but neither the gospel writers, the prophets before, even Jesus did not put her up as a saint or someone to pray to or make idols of.
328033
This is something the Catholic church has no revelation of.  There is no need for confessionals.  God said to confess to Him and if you have done wrong to another person, then confess to them as well.
173194
1- the Virgin Mother is important BECAUSE she was chosen to be the mother of our Lord Jesus. I would say that's rather special. \nI believe any prayer is useful.\n2- When we pray to Mary or any of the saints, we are usually asking them to pray for us. Each saint was made so for different reasons. They must have 3 (I believe) miracles performed in their name in order to reach saint hood. Each saint has "specializes" in different miracles. If we need a specific miracle in our lives it helps to pray to that particular saint as well as Jesus and God.\n\n3- Purgatory, I myself don't know if it exists or not. There is no evidence it exists, for that matter, there is not proof of heaven or hell either, it's all about faith.\nI pray for the dead as a sign of respect to those who have go on before me.\n\nDon't know if this will convince you or not, but just believe in what you want. Just be a good person and do the best you can do while you're here on earth. God loves us all no matter what. I really don't think God will freak if you don't pray to Mary or the Saints.
1091222
Yes. That is correct. For those who say they only pray for Mary's intersession, Jesus Christ is the only one true intercessor. Mary can do nothing for you. I would like someone to show me in the Bible where they get this from. This is a product of man not God. Someone told someone to start praying to Mary so they did. That is just like worshiping another God. Why don't catholics read the Bible and not just take the word of a human, a priest.
108681
The bible never says Mary stayed a virgin.  It is very clear that Mary and Joseph had other children after Jesus' birth.  \nThe bible says that they waited to have sex until after Jesus was born.\nMatt 1\n23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. \n24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: \n25 And KNEW her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. \n\nWe would be foolish to think they stayed married their whole lives without having sex.  Plus the mention of Jesus' brothers and sisters confirms that they did.\n\nThe Catholics believe that Mary stayed a virgin so they could diefy her.  They want to put her on the same pedestal as Jesus and sometimes above Him.  \nIf they would just read the bible, they would understand that this is a false teaching and breaks the most sacred of the 10 commandments "Thou shalt have no other gods before me".
287872
Both Islam and Christianity agree that Mary conceived Jesus when she was a virgin. She was chaste (throughout her life) and after the conception and birth of Jesus she gave birth to more children, who were Jesus's brothers and sisters.\nSo naturally she is remembered for the her having conceiving Jesus without marrying or the agency of a man.\nThat in essence is what the Virgin conception is all about.
333664
The whole issue of Mary being "The Mother of God" is ridiculous. Are people suggesting that Christ did not exist before he came to earth?? He always existed (John CH.1 V1-14) There is very Little mentioned in the Bible about Mary and whilst an angle appeared to her before the birth of Christ and told her what would happen in the near future and told her that she was "blessed amongst women" The bible is clear on the issue of there being only one mediator between man and God who is Jesus Christ.Christ said in John Ch.14 V6 "I am the way, the truth and the life; No man cometh to the Father but by me."  \nNo one but Christ himself can make intercession for us. \nPraying to Mary or one of the saints is totally futile as this is against what the Bible teaches. Aside from acknowledging that Mary was "blessed amongst women" the Lord did not place any other special emphasis on her as the entire point of focus is on Christ as he alone can save us and no one else. We believe that Mary had other children after the birth of Christ as he refered to his brothers. Why wouldn't Mary have had other children as she was young and married??\nThere is too much emphasis placed on Mary and Praying the rosary. Jesus was right when he said that people think that God will hear them for their much rambling and babbling but he doesn't. Jesus gave the example of prayer (The Lords Prayer) in that he addressed his prayer directly to God himself "Our Father who art in heaven....." \n\nIt is important to note that Jesus didn't come to establish a religion, he came to establish a RELATIONSHIP between man and god.\nIts little wonder that the Catholics are soo confused as the Catholic Church added 2 books to the King James Bible.\nThe King James has 66 books, the Catholic Bible has 68 books. Doubtlessly they overlooked the fact that there is a dire warding in Revelations being "If anyone shall add to the words of the prophesy of this book, God will add unto them the plagues that are written in this book" One of the plagues is, of course, death.\nHope this helps.
687084
Well apart from being Jesus' love, Mary was a disciple and she was one of the inner circle. She was extremely intelligent, and many considered this unusual and didn't like her for it. I think much injustice has been done to her. The Catholic church has admitted that calling her a prostitute was an error (bible doesn't say this either), and now she's a saint. But she must be more than a saint and time will set things straight.
565271
We, as Catholics, refer to the Church as a her due to the nurturing that is to take place within the confines of the church.  Just like a mother, we learn from her and put what she teaches us into our everyday life.  We also believe that Mary, the virgin, was the mother of God and the mother of the Church which was founded by Jesus during his time on earth.  Does that help?
882978
YES!  Her name was Pope Joan, go ahead and look her up.  The Church has tried to bury her in history, to discredit her, but, she DID exist.
1177296
It is the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin.  It has nothing to do with the virgin conception of Jesus.
483346
you so took my answer, Mother Teresa, for two reasons, the obvious one she is a virgin. The less obvious choice, she is dead.\nNow if I were to choose someone else(because old nuns and necrophilia are fine, I just don't want to go on after you, yuck)\nSo my next choice would be that little "pug" on the Osbournes, I would convert to Catholicism to confess to that.
341257
The Scriptures give no reason why Mary should have remained a virgin.So did Jesus have any half brothers and half sisters?\nThat Mary had other children besides Jesus is clear from the questions asked by Jesus' townfolk who where well acquainted with his family:"Where did he get all this?What kind of wisdom is he endowed with?....Is this not the carpenter,the son of Mary,a brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?Are not his sisters our neighbours here?"-Mark6:2,3,NA.\nThat Jesus had natural (half)brothers is also indicated by the fact that on one occasion he was told that'your mother and your brothers are standing out there and they wish to speak to you'We further read that "not even his brothers had confidence in him"-Matt.12:47;John 7:5,NA