The real question is the most important word in the english language: Why
Why does it matter so much to some that she was ever virgin to the point of denying clear scripture on the subject?
You’re asking the same question I asked. But you were much more concise. I have a theory which I can back up, but don’t want to get too much buried in the weeds, it is better to stick to Scripture as closely as possible without making up unnecessary theories or dogmas. We don’t need to make religion more complicated than it needs to be. I do believe many early Church theologians had issues with women. Some were misogynists who believed that women served only to corrupt men and tempt them into sin. Some had real issues with the act of physical intimacy, even between a husband and wife. This might help explain why they developed this theory of perpetual virgin. They did not WANT to believe that Mary and Joseph consummated their marriage, so they developed this yarn that Jesus’s brothers and sisters were actually cousins-—it was a typo in the Bible-—or here’s another whopper-—they were Joseph’s children from a prior marriage. Truly weird to the extent some would go to prop up a dogma which truly unnecessary.
A very good question. I’ve never understood why Catholics are so intent on Mary’s being ever virgin.
It seems to imply they think her living in this regard as a normal woman would denigrate her. What I don’t understand is why they think this way. Why would a Mary who had intercourse with her husband after the birth of Jesus be any less admirable or worthy of veneration? Are we supposed to think there is something shameful about this entirely normal and righteous act?
Have never gotten this.
Why does it matter so much to some that she was ever virgin to the point of denying clear scripture on the subject?
Like Tevye - I'll TELL you!
 'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, ' it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.'
'The question is,' said Alice, 'whether you can make words mean so many different things.' 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.' |