Protestants do believe in Mary as the woman chosen to bear the infant Jesus. However she is not venerated as in Catholicism. Protestants do not see her as a mediatrix between God and man, seeing Jesus as the one mediator. They also do not see her as sinless and therefore she is considered wholly human although commanding respect as a woman who found favor with God.
They believe in the divine nature of His conception, and that Mary was a virgin at the time of Jesus' birth.
Protestants don't see her as anything more than Christ's mother and that she was a human as well. She later had more children with Joseph. On the other hand the word of God tells us that Christ is the and only mediator between God and man 1Timothy 2:5. Mary herself humbled before Jesus for she knew He was God.
Answer # 2Great question! :)As a starting point, it helps to first distinguish whatthe four central Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church are, so that it might be better understood where various Reformed denominations stand in relation to these dogmas; i.e. what are the salient objects of belief regarding Mary? The four central Marian doctrines held by, but not limited exclusively to, Catholics are:
Beliefs in Protestant communities vary widely on these Marian dogmas. On the one hand, many communities hold only to Mary as mother of God. On the other hand, some Protestant communities hold to all four. Notable examples here, not to the exclusion of others, include various Anglican communities who seek ecumenical dialogue with the Catholic Church.
Martin Luther
Many of Martin Luther's own statements also provide a path for ecumenical discussion between contemporary Lutherans and Catholics. Regarding the Immaculate Conception, Luther writes:
There is also the possibility for ecumenical dialogue between contemporary Lutherans and Catholics on Mary's Perpetual Virginity when Luther writes:
and again when he comments on John 2:12 as follows:
Ulrich Zwingli (founder of the Swiss Reformed Churches)
Ulrich Zwingli provides ground for dialogue on both the Immaculate Conception and Perpetual Virginity of Mary when he writes:
I esteem immensely the Mother of God, the ever chaste, immaculate Virgin Mary. (E. Stakemeier, De Mariologia et Oecumenismo, K. Balic, ed., (Rome, 1962), 456.)
and again on the Perpetual Virginity of Mary when he writes:
I firmly believe that Mary, according to the words of the gospel as a pure Virgin brought forth for us the Son of God and in childbirth and after childbirth forever remained a pure, intact Virgin. (Zwingli Opera, Corpus Reformatorum, Volume 1, 424)
John Wesley (founder of the Methodists)
John Wesley also provides ground for dialogue between Methodists and Catholics on the Immaculate Conception and Mary's Perpetual Virginity when he writes:
No. "Protestant" is a pretty umbrella term, but typically Protestants do not pray to the Virgin Mary. Many look towards her as a spiritual example and Pray to be likened to her in faith. Many Christians also pray borrowing her words in worship and song. One of the problems that the reformers had with the Roman Catholic Church was the overemphasis on the need for Mary, and other Saints', intercession. While Mary is an important figure to all Christians, her role as Mediatrix and Co-redemtrix are among the most objectable teachings of the non-Protestant Churches.
No, they pray to God directly or through Jesus.
No. "Protestant" is a pretty umbrella term, but typically Protestants do not pray to the Virgin Mary. Many look towards her as a spiritual example and Pray to be likened to her in faith. Many Christians also pray borrowing her words in worship and song. One of the problems that the reformers had with the Roman Catholic Church was the overemphasis on the need for Mary, and other Saints', intercession. While Mary is an important figure to all Christians, her role as Mediatrix and Co-redemtrix are among the most objectable teachings of the non-Protestant Churches.
Many Protestant churches do believe in the virgin birth. Generally speaking, a Protestant church that calls itself evangelical ( which essentially means believes The Bible to be the word of God) or conservative will accept the virgin birth. There are some churches, however that do not. It would be wise to read the "Statement of Faith" that many churches post on their website to be sure.
Another Answer:
All mainline Protestant groups who profess the Nicene Creed believe in the Virgin Birth as a matter of faith. Those that do not profess a belief in the articles spelled out in the Nicene Creed would be hard pressed to call themselves Christian.
Yes! some of them especially the Evangelical Lutheran believe also the identity of Mary as mother of God.
However, most protestants believe that the unBiblical traditions surrounding Mary (such as her assumption, her sinless nature and her perpetual virginal state) are fictional and invented by the Catholic Church to help her elevated and over-venerated position within that Church.
All Christians believe in the Virgin Mary. Believe means to think she existed. Now if you mean venerate (honor and pray to), then no, they do not.
Mary Poppins is most likely a virgin. There is no suggestion of her having engaged in any sexual activity at any time.
Usually, there is not a specific thing you can pray to any blessed or saint.You can pray about anything you want.
The Blessed Virgin Mary has countless patronages, because she is the Mother Of God.
Unfortunately, no. The statues of the Virgin and the saints are intended to help us call to mind God's love for us, nothing more. No statue has any power over the weather or anything of that nature. However, it wouldn't hurt to ask Our Lady (the Virgin Mary) to pray on your behalf for nice weather.
there is none
Protestants may pray in silence , in groups or outloud. However , they do not like using formula prayers , and they do not pray to Mary or to saints. (The implication above is that people of other faiths - like Catholics - do pray to Mary or to saints. This is not the case and any Catholic who says otherwise is mistaken. Catholics ask Mary or saints for intercession on their behalf, but do not pray TO them. "Holy Mary, Mother of God, PRAY for us sinners..." Catholics only worship and pray TO God our Father and His son Jesus Christ. The best way to explain this to a Protestant is as such: Have you ever asked a family member or loved one to pray for you due to some hardship or difficulty you were going through? Catholics ask Mary to pray for them in much the same way.
Virgin, as in Virgin Bloody Mary, or Virgin Daiquiri
Mary is the only woman who had a child while still a virgin. She never had intercourse with any man not even Joseph.
She was most likely educated in the Temple.
Mary was chosen to be the earthly mother of Jesus. As the Lutheran creeds clearly state, Jesus was "born of the virgin Mary". However, Mary was just a human, not in any way divine, and as such can be revered for being chosen by God, but should not be worshipped, as in the Roman Catholic church. We are not to pray to Mary or any of the saints and apostles, but to God and God alone, in any of His three forms - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We Catholics do not in ANY WAY believe that the Virign Mary is equal to God, but she does have the most unique relationhsip with God that ever existed. The Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ, the Son in the Trinity. Jesus must pay special attention to His own mother's pleas, as He was the best son ever to live and because honoring one's parents is commanded in the Old Testament.