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From: toddv@copper.UUCP (Todd Vierheller)
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: Mary's virginity
Message-ID: <144@copper.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 12-Dec-85 19:37:40 EST
Article-I.D.: copper.144
Posted: Thu Dec 12 19:37:40 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Dec-85 09:49:06 EST
Reply-To: toddv@copper.UUCP (Todd Vierheller)
Distribution: na
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 48

EAT THIS!

The traditional position of the Catholic Church is that Mary remained a
virgin throughout her life.  One might even get the idea that the Catholic
Church worships Mary.  They alone have the tradition of the Imacculate
Conception (applies to Mary, not Christ), and the practice of praying to Mary
(the Rosary).   Therefore, it should not be surprising that the Church is
upset over a movie that depicts Mary in the nude.  The idea of Mary *being* nude
certainly wouldn't offend the Church (I think), but the graphic *display*
of Mary in the buff on a movie screen is a different story.  

Concerning the virginity of Mary, most conservative evangelicals (me for
instance) believe that Mary only remained a virgin until she had Jesus.
The belief is that Jesus did indeed have brothers.  This is based on verses
such as John 7:5.

"For not even His brothers were believing in Him."

(If you think about it, they may not have been too enamored with Jesus.  How
would you like to have a brother who never misbehaved?  I would have considered
getting rid of the goody-two-shoes if he were my brother.)  :-)

The official Catholic position is that the term "brothers" refers to
followers.  Unfortunately, most of His followers did believe in him.

There are other passages referring to Jesus' mother and his brothers wishing
to speak to Him; you can find these yourself with a concordance.

As an aside, the first Pope (again, according to Catholic tradition), Peter,
was most likely married.  (Generally this is implied by a mother-in-law.)

"And when Jesus had come to Peter's home, He saw his mother-in-law lying
sick in bed with a fever."  Matthew 8:14

The official Catholic position is that all Popes are celebate.

If this discussion bothers you, please remember that the Catholic Church
is based both on the Bible and on the Tradition of the Catholic Church.
Tradition is very important to the Catholic Church.  Tradition is (apparently)
more important than the Bible in those cases where they conflict.

                                   Todd Vierheller
                                   Software Development Products
                                   Tektronix, Inc (Aloha)


Send flames via mail if you are angry with me.
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