The Catholic religion idolizes the saints and Mary

Thank you for the response, I felt the need to mention the church teaching in my response for the sake of any readers that may misunderstand church teaching with peoples opinions and actions which unfortunately happens. The misconceptions in some of your comments and debate title may unfairly lead readers into accepting these misconceptions. I think it was also necessary to mention it as your debate title seems to emphasise Catholics idolising Mary and the saints as a fact when in reality it is not church teaching. I encourage any readers to check the church teachings on anything you have a question about before dismissing it. Would con mind elaborating on the 'astounding similarities' between Catholicism and Greek mythology? Bearing in mind I pointed out in my last argument, if a catholic follows the church practice then we pray to Mary and the saints, not worship them. Is it maybe that you find it hard to believe that a dead Christian can pray for us? Even with the power of prayer and the unfathomable power of God? And the fact that because the saints are closer to God it may be possible prayers through their intersession may be stronger because of their further understanding of prayer? Don't forget as well as these prayers, Catholics are praying even more to our lord, going to mass every week to worship him but at the same time praying with our brothers and sisters, living and passed on. Going back to Patrons, you shouldn't look at it as finding the patron saint of free cash and praying like crazy to that saint. Might it be that for whatever reason something happens in your life that reminds you of a certain saint, take saint Anthony for example, say you lose your wedding ring, if we know (from scripture) the saints are aware of our prayers and the fact that the saints are closer to God than us, and your love and faith for God is strong, and we know as Christians how strong prayer is, can I not pray for a fellow Christian like St Anthony's intersession? I'm not going to be ignorant enough to say those prayers are not valid or effective. It's not about praying to the right saint for cool stuff, it's about praying. I might not find my wedding ring but it wont dent my faith and it wont stop me asking for St Anthony's intersession. God does not 'favour' Catholics, he loves everyone equally, so much so that we are able to discuss his sacrifice for us right now, and the fact that he came and established a church for us to learn about him because our limited human brains simply can't fathom God but because of his love for us he established the church so that we can know him and willingly choose him. Unfortunately as time passed and egos grew and because we do have free will and original sin people decided that they don't like Gods 'rules' and are naive to think that their ideas and reasoning's make more sense, and when one person does it then before you know it there are so many different religions and denominations. (Because of this it should be astounding that the Catholic church is still as strong as it is) but it doesn't surprise you if you know it's Gods church. I refer back to my last argument about how strong the Catholic church still is today 2000 years later, and the teachings haven't changed plus the fact the church has dogmas which could easily blow up in the church face with all the technology we have today which scientifically could disprove at least some of it, and yet it hasn't. (Just a note, I don't believe science and religion are in competition, that's for another debate). Jesus said it, Peter is the rock, the church is a rock, the gates of hell will not prevail against Jesus Christ church, its right there in scripture. I'm not saying there is no truth to certain aspects of other religions, they just don't have the fullness of the truth which is Christ' church, the catholic church. Of course i'm not saying we don't need the bible, it is the inspired word of God, all i'm saying is it doesn't say in the bible that we should follow ONLY what is written in the bible, we are told that our works are also necessary (James 2:17) I don't understand what you mean by 'pick and choose what to follow' what are you referring to? As I stated earlier the church hasn't changed its teaching, it will sometimes have to give a teaching on a matter presented to her and as we know from scripture I cited earlier the Pope was given authority to 'Bind and loose' here on earth and that's why we have dogmas, an argument in itself why the catholic church doesn't simply pick and choose, once a dogma is confirmed it cannot change and to this day not one Dogma can be logically contradicted. Again, the gates of hell WILL NOT prevail against the church, because it is Gods church. It is an interesting passage you chose, this passage refers to changing prophecies which the catholic church doesn't do. I agree with you that we shouldn't pick and choose and I actually think the catholic church has the strongest position on this, if you look at Islam, they will accept certain passages but reject other passages from the same author, or in Protestantism in certain churches you cannot get 'married' if you are a homosexual but can in other protestant churches. If its consistency you are looking for, the Catholic church is the one. Lastly, in regards to your 3rd century recognition of intercession comment, do you not see your errors? Yes it may have been recognised in the 3rd century but the teaching was always there in the bible it just wasn't picked up on until the 3rd century, we are only human after all. Also to extend on that, in 1517 a human mortal man named Martin Luther started the reformation which has led to thousand of protestant denominations each with there own tweeks (pick and choose) I think the passage you cited is much more relevant in this case. Also this was 1500 years after the death of Christ.