Some letters to the editor of our local newspaper made me aware of a belief system that's so radically different from my own it barely seems Christian to me, but apparently it's central to the faith of lots of people. Maybe I should have posted this on the "cults" site, but is anybody into the Medjugorje movement? Millions apparently are. Twenty-five years ago, a group of kids in Medjugorje, Bosnia, reported receiving messages from the Virgin Mary. Ever since, they claim that she's been appearing to them frequently and giving them messages. Crowds of up to a quarter of a million people go to the place and many claim to experience visions, healings or strange physical phenomena like the sun spinning, etc. (They stare at the sun a lot, so I suppose that's not too hard to explain; this part actually reminds me a lot of tales I've heard from gatherings of the Rainbow Family). These apparitions have spawned a thriving tourist industry and a network of prayer groups, and many of the pilgrims report life changing experiences. The local Catholic bishops think it's a hoax, the Catholic Church still has it under investigation and takes no official position. My questions: Is this Christian? Is it wholesome? More generally, what's up with the veneration of the Virgin Mary, that seems to be largely a Catholic phenomenon? What place, if any, should the Virgin Mary have in the Christian religion?
Well she did concieve Jesus and all, so i guess she has a pretty big role in Chridtianity. Jah Bless Peace
