The Catholic Church's teaching on mariology emphasizes the unique role of Mary as the Mother of Jesus and her special place in the life of the Church. This includes her title as the Mother of God (Theotokos), her perpetual virginity, and her assumption into heaven. Catholics honor and venerate Mary as a model of faith and obedience.

The Immaculate Conception is important to Catholics because of Mariology, the extreme veneration of Mary. It is not important to Protestants, who reject the veneration of saints.

Alemayehu Biru Worku has written:

'Individual Versus Communal Autonomy' -- subject(s): Autonomy (Philosophy), Liberalism, Pluralism

One of the reasons for the Protestant Reformation was the belief that praying in front of statues of Mary and other saints is too reminiscent of idolatory, and ought to be unnecessary if God is omniscient. Mariology, the extreme veneration of Mary, was called into question long before the Reformation as being akin to polytheism.

Some scholars have noticed the similarities in both concept and image between Mary, mother of Jesus, and the Egyptian goddess Isis. It may well be that some aspects of mariology and of her depiction are derived from the concept and image of Isis, but it is unlikely that Mary was conceived by the gospel authors as a likeness of Isis.