Final answer:
Roman Catholics do not officially worship Mary, but rather venerate her as an important figure in their faith. Veneration is a form of honor and respect, distinct from the worship which is reserved for God alone. Mary's representation in different cultures and religions highlights the diversity in religious practices and the common reverence for sacred figures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Roman Catholics are officially taught to worship Mary is not true. In Roman Catholic theology, the term 'worship' is reserved for God alone. Instead, Mary is venerated, which means she is honored and respected as the mother of Jesus Christ and as an important figure in the Catholic faith. This veneration of Mary can be seen in various forms, such as in the Marian devotions, the creation of sacred sites, and the presence of Mary in religious artwork, but it should not be confused with worship, which is due to God alone.
Throughout history and across different cultures, expressions of this veneration have taken various forms. From shrines and pieces of folk art dedicated to the Mary to the portrayal of Mary and Jesus in iconography, such devotions reflect a reverence towards these figures without equating them to the worship of the divine. Despite the veneration of Mary being widespread, it's important to understand the theological distinctions made within the Church that separate veneration from worship.
Additionally, sacred figures like Mary hold significance in other religions, such as Islam. While Islamic tradition also respects Mary as the mother of Jesus, sacred Islamic art typically refrains from depicting animate beings, which differs from Christian practices where Mary is often depicted in religious art.