Asalamu Alaikum!
Many Catholics reject worshiping Mary. I was a catholic at one point but I was never taught about worshiping Mary. Rather, what we did was we respected Mary just as I
respect the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and still respect Mary (of course).
So for these articles:
http://www.answering-christianity.com/worship_mary.htm
http://www.answering-christianity.com/abdul-rahman_klimaszewski/worship_of_mary_by_pagans.htm
http://www.answering-christianity.com/sami_zaatri/mary_worship.htm
I have a piece of information that could extend it further and make it more convincing.
The Chloridians literally worshiped Mary.
Please check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collyridianism
And they were even tied to Pagan Arabia!
Hope this would be beneficial!
Wa 'AlaikumAsalam,
Great post. Just wanted to point out that Roman Catholics among others call Mary the Mother of God. They send prayers to her everyday and during there services. They dedicate whole months to praying to Mary such as May:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_devotions_to_the_Blessed_Virgin_Maryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marian_devotions"A Marian devotion in Christianity is a gift (total or partial) of oneself, or one's activities to the Virgin Mary, i.e. a willingness and desire to dedicate oneself to, or venerate her, either
in terms of prayers..."
Various prayers full of Shirk:
"Hail Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, Our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, To thee do we send up our sighs, Mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, And after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Mary, Help of Those in Need
Holy Mary,
help those in need,
give strength to the weak,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for God's people,
assist the clergy,
intercede for religious.
Mary all who seek your help
experience your unfailing protection.
Amen."