Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: CONS.ELF@AIDA.CSD.UU.SE (Ake Eldberg) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Mary's Virginity & Jesus's Siblings Message-ID: Date: 5 Jul 90 07:47:52 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Lines: 19 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu There is a big difference between the importance of Mary's virginity at the conception of Jesus (which *is* important) and her proposed virginity during the rest of her life. I certainly believe, as the Creed says, that Jesus was born by a virgin, being the son of God. But as to the Catholic teaching that Mary remained a virgin forever, I find absolutely no sense in believing this. I have yet to find the Catholic who can give a sensible answer to the question "why?". There simply is no point. There is every reason to believe that Mary went on to fulfil her marriage with Josef, bearing him many children and thus being a good wife. In fact, if she had suddenly become totally frigid and uninterested in sex, she would have been regarded as a very bad wife, and Josef would have vad cause for divorce. Is there anyone who can give me an explanation of where the anti-sexual feelings, the adoration of virginity as a quality in itself, etc. came from? It's just incomprehensible to me. Ake Eldberg