Any catholics or ex-catholics here

[Meadmaker]

Nah, the immaculate conception part is easy. Could do that with a hollow reed.

Actually, the Immaculate Conception was not the conception of Jesus. It was the conception of Mary. Although she was conceived by standard methods, God decided not to mix in the original sin component, because it wouldn't be right to have one third of himself born in a body that had known sin, even the original sort.

(Reminds me of a joke, which I've posted before.)

Jesus was leading his disciples through Jerusalem when he came upon a mob about to stone an adultress to death. He stepped forward, shielding her body, and said, "Let one without sin cast the first stone!"

From out of the crowd, a perfectly aimed rock flew, striking the woman in the head, killing her instantly. Jesus said, "Mother! I was trying to make a point!"



Having been ex-Catholic for half my life now, the whole Virgin Birth thing does seem the most bizarre of Christian beliefs. Why would you celebrate NOT having sex. Sex and childbirth are pretty darned closely related, I'm told, but if you have to give up one of them, I'd say she made a poor choice. Oh, well. If the Christians are right after all, I suppose I'll burn in Hell forever for saying that, so they'll get the last laugh.

 

[lionking]

Are you sure that the Immaculate Conception was of Mary? If this is the case my catholic education, or at least my memory of it, was sadly lacking. Is there a NT reference to confirm this?

 

[maledoro]

There are some NT references, but as with the Bible in general, it depends on how you interpret them.

Here is an article in that semi-reliable Wikipedia which actually has some sources linked to it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immaculate_Conception#Scriptural_sources

 

[lionking]

Well I'll be..... All this time I assumed that the virgin birth was a direct result of the immaculate conception. I take back my assertion in the OP that I had a good religious education. Those damn nuns.........

 

[zenotter]

Don't let the nuns hear you say that. They'll send someone after you with a ruler.

 

[bignickel]

Wrong again, eh? Maybe you should try politics?

Some may talk of idiocy, but you succeed where others fail.