[Catholicguy]

At the time of the Protestant Reformation, Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christians all agreed that Mary was a virgin, not just at the time of Jesus’ birth, but for her entire life. You’ve heard the explanation that "Jesus’ “brothers” were really His cousins? You may be surprised to learn that that was John Calvin’s opinion! Ulrich Zwingli especially emphasized Mary’s perpetual virginity. All three also agreed that Mary is blessed among all women, and that it is right for Christians to honor and venerate her. Martin Luther taught that Mary was born without sin and he continued his devotions to the Virgin Mary until his death."

As time goes on, more and more truth is discarded by those following the oral traditions of their protestant progenitors.

Birth control, divorce, abortion for the "right reasons" all eventually came to be accepted. All happened after the Doctrines about Mary came under attack and were abandoned.

[irishtenor]

What does the Bible say about her virginity, about her sinlessness? Why didn't you answer my previous post?

[PFKEY]

I'm not a follower of John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli or Martin Luther.

I am familiar with the explaination that Jesus' brothers were really his cousins. However, I find no importance in the matter of whether they were brothers or cousins.

The Bible does not say Mary was sinless or a perpetual virgin.

[ladyinred]

Martin Luther taught that Mary was born without sin and he continued his devotions to the Virgin Mary until his death."

May I ask a question? Where did Martin Luther get this opinion? I have never read that in the scriptures, so am I to assume he got that from the Catholic Church and just carried it on into the Luthern doctrine?

BTW: I am not here to argue with anyone, as I respect your faith in your church, just don't always agree with it. I have just always been curious about the Mary doctrine. Thanks.

[Graymatter]

Pretty sad to find such carping and bickering on a thread devoted to Mary. Shame on those who presume to correct our beliefs and then do so by becoming her detractors.

You write, "As time goes on, more and more truth is discarded by those following the oral traditions of their protestant progenitors." Well I hate to say it but in our local Roman Catholic Church, people are almost squeamish about devotion to Mary. They downplay it when they mention it at all. You would almost think there's something radical about praying to the Mother of God. And this is in most other ways a very traditional, conservative community. I hope it's not a trend.