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Using St Mary's Virginity is exactly meant to distract non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians from the realities of Crusader History and Christian History. It might only be to serve God's intent that the new history that purifies the Holy Lands is done not by human effort through war (or most likely police action today), but by God's own Hand.

We're dodging our own arguments which keeps us from focusing on a task that only God can solve--a cleansing of Jerusalem. We've not argued our way into inaction, but in argument for the sake of holiness, have kept from acting in ways that might offend God.

The only reason that I can extract from this mystery is that Jesus, Himself, creates division among us all (so that He can conquer our hearts). Otherwise, a solidified Christian community would easily, and perhaps barbarically wipe out a culture whose members, many of which, don't deserve death. Thus, God conquers the way He IS. The evil stumble and fall into their own traps--the traps they've set against the innocent and righteous. It's better that we argue over things (even if slightly invective) that no modern man could prove with means of scientific reasoning if this silly argument means delaying what might be vindictive human action. Perhaps it's God's Spirit that confuses and confounds Christian against Christian to protect all of Abraham's children...even those not born from Israel! Because you and I know that there's plenty of FReepers that would like nothing better than to wipe out what some consider a competing "malignant" culture.

"We're dodging our own arguments which keeps us from focusing on a task that only God can solve--a cleansing of Jerusalem. "

This statement confuses me. Christians are not called to cleanse Jerusalem, but are called to preach the Gospel.

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Division will happen because someone chooses to follow Jesus....

Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Mat 10:36 And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household.

Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

It is important to note that this "taking up your own cross" is suffering for Jesus. That is the "sword" that is mentioned in verse 34. People will put Christians to the sword, not the other way around.

" The only reason that I can extract from this mystery is that Jesus, Himself, creates division among us all (so that He can conquer our hearts). Otherwise, a solidified Christian community would easily, and perhaps barbarically wipe out a culture whose members, many of which, don't deserve death."

The first part is supported in the verses I posted. However, The second part is completely wrong!

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

Mat 22:39 And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

God did tell the Nation of Israel, in the OT, to completely wipe out certain peoples. That does not extend to us now, because we are under the New Covenant.

Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

A truely Christian community would live under the New Covenant and follow the example of Christ. Therefore, there would be no "barbarically wiping out of other cultures."

If you try to use examples of America's atrocities as examples of a "Christian community" commiting barbary, I will strongly disagree. A community is only Christian when it follows Christ's commands and example, not simply because someone claims to be a Christian. Think of the "Christian Militia" over in Lebanon. Anyone can claim to be a Christian.

Sincerely