VIRGIN MARY

Yes, that's what they teach. Here's a link to a good study on what Roman Catholics believe.
http://www.carm.org/catholic.htm

 

Because "brothers" and "sisters" in scripture can sometimes refer to extended family, i.e. cousins, etc.

 

Almost all pagan religions include both a god and a goddess, the idea of only one supreme male God was unacceptable to the Roman pagans. When the Christian church in Rome joined with Roman paganism in 384 A.D. to form the RCC they needed a virgin-goddess figure in order to convert the pagans. Thus, the myth of Mary's ever-virginity was born.

HTH

 

stevec said "When the Christian church in Rome joined with Roman paganism in 384 A.D. to form the RCC they needed a virgin-goddess figure in order to convert the pagans. Thus, the myth of Mary's ever-virginity was born."

Actually, the Protoevangelium of James (120 A.D.) talks about it, as does Origen (248 A.D.), Athanasius (360 A.D.), Epiphanius (374 and 375 A.D.) and Jerome (383 A.D.).

Protestant Reformers such as Luther, Calvin, Zwingli and others also believed in it.

I personally don't see what difference it makes.

 

I believe it was in 1854 that an official papal declaration of Mary's immaculate conception was made (but I'll have to check my facts when I get home!). At her conception she was cleansed from original sin so that she could carry baby Jesus.

But the idea that Mary was perpetually virginal is quite old and by all accounts does NOT derive from the needs for a pagan goddess.

 

Actually the RCC believes that immaculate conception means Mary was born of a virgin ,and that she was born without original sin. Also, that Mary lived a life of sinlessness, that she was lifted into heaven, and that she did not die.

 

RaptureReady said "Really, can you show were?"

Lot is called Abraham's "brother" (Gen 14:14) even though he was his nephew. Jacob is called the "brother" of Laban (Gen 29:15), who was his uncle. The daughters of Eleazar married the sons of Kish (their cousins) but the Bible calls these cousins "brethren" (1 Chr. 23:21–22).

Other instances where "brother" does not even necessarily mean a literal relative:

Matt 5:22-24, Matt 7:3-5, Matt 12:50, Matt 18:21, Acts 9:17, Rom 14:10, 1 Cor 1:1, etc.

 

"Actually the RCC believes that immaculate conception means Mary was born of a virgin ,and that she was born without original sin."

No this is NOT what the RCC believes. If you're going to put words in someone's mouth then at least make sure they are correct!

The RCC believes that Mary was born of 2 human parents, in the usual way. She was immediately cleansed from original sin (from the beginning of her "animation") - this is viewed as necessary for her to have carried Jesus in her womb.

 

That is incorrect. To follow that line of logic, the grandmother would have had to be a virgin, great grandmother, etc...

 

I don't think the RCC teaches that she did not die, but only that she was assumed into heaven (without specifying whether she had died or not).

 

this is a link that explains alot of what the catholics belive about Mary, and how to witness to them.
Why Mary is crying

 

#1 Where in the word does it say that Mary did not have original sin

#2 Where it the word does it say she remained a virgin for her whole life

#3 Why would she NEED to remain a virgin for her entire life OR be cleansed of original sin?

My bible does not portray Mary as a member of the trinity. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit comprise 'God'. When the Bible says 'you shall have no other gods before Me' I think that includes Mary.

 

I know that the Catholics believe that Mary was a perpetual virgin. But in Matt 1:25 it says that Joseph did not "know" his wife until after the birth of Jesus.

It also does not make sense for the Lord to sentence Joseph to celebacy since he intended sex to be between a husband and wife.

 

Indeed... 'TILL' means that it happened, but not before she gave birth to Jesus.

Indeed... Joseph wanted to divorce her, but the Lord convinced him not to. Therefore, their union was blessed by God - and sex is part of marriage (if you look at the definition of marriage in Genesis, anyway).

 

Rooster,

I don't think I'd rely on Chick for anything, especially facts!

 

well too bad for you

 

Please,

Chicklets is a crack pot