As a Christian, I can guarantee you, I have never heard that Jesus Christ was an only child or that Mary was a perpetual virgin.
You never heard? Nowhere in the Bible does it say that Jesus had other siblings, and nowhere in the Bible does it say that Mary wasn't a Virgin... I don't believe you have read the Bible, but then again, my interests are more closely aligned with good solid arguments and, in this case, arguments based on scripture. So, do yourself a favor and stop posting to me.
The scriptures do say that Jesus had brothers ... and sisters.
And the Bible doesn't say that Mary was eternally virginal, ... it only specifies that she was a virgin until Jesus' birth.
Why would anyone expect her to remain a virgin. After all, she was a married woman.
here is a great website w/lots of catholic explanations-it addresses all the usual difficulties others have with the catholic faith and backs them with scripture.
http://socrates58.blogspot.com/2006/01/my-odyssey-from-evangelicalism-to.html
Thank you again for this post. I thought I showed specific Biblical referrences of Christs brothers and sisters. Maybe it was overlooked by some who have participated on this thread.
Acts 1:14 "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother (MHTHR) of Jesus and with his brothers (ADELFOI)."
1 COR 9:5 "Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the Brothers of the Lord? (ADELFOI TOU KYRIOU).
GAL 1:19 "But other of the Apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother." (IAKOBWN TON ADELFON TOU KYRIOU)