The Protestant position claims that Catholic’s “ARE FACTUALLY Idolaters”

The Protestant position claims that Catholic’s “ARE FACTUALLY Idolaters” … Is founded on  a serious lack of understanding that Catholics prayers  to Mary and the Saints ARE meant for them alone. Such is NOT THE TRUTH! Our prayers still ascend to GOD, but  through Mary and the Saints as intercessors, which according to the understanding of Thomas makes this practice “idolatry.”

This practice is NO MORE idolatrous than pictures of Luther, Wesley, Smith, Calvin or others. And yes even though they are not prayed “to” neither do our Prayer intensions end with Mary and the saints.  The  GOAL and the end of our Prayers is Jesus Christ Himself. They pass-through; FROM Mary and the Saints to Jesus. And here is how we know that God, and the Bible do not prohibit such forms of practice.

The REAL issue is in the understanding of just what actually takes place; why it happens this way, and what praying to and through Mary or the Saints actually accomplishes.  “Idolatry” by dictionary definition requires INTENT to divert; reverence, glory or Worship away from God and to someone / something else.