The subject of this thread is Reality vs. Tradition.
Mary was sinless? How can that be reality if she was born with original sin? The concept of Mary being sinless (the immaculate conception) is a Gnostic concept as is the assumption. Gnosticism believes that nothing divine can touch anything mortal.
As to the history of the RCC being smoke and mirrors, the Apostalic succession, Peter as the first Bishop of Rome and the first Pope, the Roman Catholic Church being the only Apostalic and Catholic Church of Christ; praying to physically dead saints, images used in worship; all of these and more lack historical substance let alone Biblical substance.
I will repeat myself about statues and pictures portraying Mary with the infant Jesus, when they are used in worship (placed in churches) they are pagan. Lighting candles before and praying to people depicted by images, bowing to images are all aspects of pagan worship and violate the Jewish roots of Christianity.
If you don't accept the perpetual virginity of Mary you are taking a stance against the official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.