I’ve lost my temper more than once on a religion thread, which is why I now avoid them as a rule.
If Catholics want to believe Mary remained a virgin, they can. I think it is quite a stretch in how one reads the NT, but for most the issue is so emotional that it isn’t possible to have a polite conversation.
It was one of the Orthodox - Kolo-something or other - who patiently explained to me that anything I wrote about Mary had the same emotional impact on him as if I had written about his own mother. So I think I’ll follow my normal rule and drop off this thread before I give more offense and stir more bitterness than I may have already done.
I have enough temptations to anger and judgment without looking for them here on FreeRepublic...and if I must find them, let it be on a political thread. My anger doesn’t give God any glory, or accomplish His will.
Pax vobiscum, brother.