Marian beliefs, motherly dishonor?

     If this entry ends abruptly, you may assume it was from a bolt of lightening. One of the things that I am a stickler for is purity of faith. It's not that my beliefs are so well refined, not at all.  But there is a simplicity of faith in Jesus that I think anyone can see. I really can go off on a tear when someone starts to add so much more to it - made up stuff,  rationalized stuff, theoretical stuff that now contains the imprimatur of "tradition".

     It's somewhat shocking to know how much of this type of stuff rolls around as doctrines of some Christian faiths. Jesus himself was a rebel, an arch enemy of so much of the same stuff the Pharisees and other Jewish sects had promulgated over time.  One case in point might be "Limbo".  I have slightly higher hopes now that that 'place' has been officially abolished by the Roman Church. Limbo was one of those theoretical places based on some kind of logic (at that time) which eventually had that imprimatur of tradition.  My hopes were raised when that church officially got rid of it. A loving God does not have a limbo, holding dead babies at a distance where they can 'be in God's presence' but not free of original sin so that they couldn't go to heaven. Such balderdash, garbage. 

      So what else do I target. At the risk of that  bolt of lightening, Mary the mother of Jesus.  This is a woman I heartily admire and respect. Her faith was exemplary. For a young betrothed girl to say yes to God in carrying Jesus (as basically an unwed mother) was amazing. Such faith, faith that could easily have landed her on the receiving end of a good old fashion stoning.  A role model and a model of faith. Elevated to the level of Jesus? No. Assumed into heaven bodily? No.  I know I could be on the receiving end of chastisements, calls of heretic or simply evil.  As beautiful and faithful as Mary was , she does not deserve to displace her son in any way. I am sure Jesus loved her immensely and that he ached when he knew he was saying good bye to her in this world but she is not a part of the trinity. Shall I go on?

       What I have always found as almost despicable is the way dogmas are created from some form of theologizing or some circular logic and then the faithful, through "submission of will" are expected to believe it. In fact, told they are committing a mortal sin or not in communion with the church if they do not tow the party line of ignorance.

        So much for no more rants. 

        The faith that Jesus gave us is grounded in Judaism and was synthesized to two great commandments. What more do we need of personal acts of piety and legions of religious anachronisms.  Many things can enrich faith but simplicity is power and to love is all that matters.

1 Corinthians 15:50

What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.