Yes, there is no doubt that I have scriptural proof that they were Mary's children; however, you imply that you have already seen it. If you close out any argument about Jesus' siblings, then that pretty much shuts down the debate. In recent times, BD has taken the lead and produced several excellent posts showing the Sola Scriptura case for the fact that Mary had other children. I copied them, so if you have not seen them and would like to, then I (or he) would be happy to post them for you.
As to being a loving wife, Consider what St. Gregory Palamas says:
For this reason she who is really a virgin – who models herself on Him who is virgin, who was born of a Virgin and who is the Bridegroom of the souls that live in true virginity – will shun not merely carnal wedlock but also worldly companionship.
For what reason? You've just given me the conclusion. In any event, in the past I think I have been fine with many or all of the quotes I have been showed from Palamas. Even if it turns out that I disagree with him here about Marian doctrines, that is not the end of the world as far as I am concerned. As has been on display, I also disagree with Calvin and Luther on some of them too. :)
If God were physically present in your home, would you tend to other interests? Would you put God on a "backburner?" Would you, in His presence, find other things more interesting? (please say "No!")
OK, "No!". :) HOWEVER, I'm not sure of your entire point here. Is it that if toddler Jesus is running around the house, then surely Joseph and Mary can't have sex at night? I do not understand this. We are clearly told that Joseph and Mary don't fully "get it" as late as the only story (I think) of Jesus as a young man.:
Luke 2:48-50 : 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." 49 "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Clearly, Mary and Joseph did not get the full picture at this point. So, why would they have had other than a normal marriage at least until then? But even forgetting that, what is so terrible and sinful, or inappropriate, about marital sex? It kind of sounds like you are saying that if God is far away in Heaven, then marital sex is OK, but if He comes to stay at your house, then sex is off limits. Why? Is marital sex something we should be ashamed of?
My argument about Mary is that scripture tells us that she probably did not fully understand the identity of Christ as late as when He was 12. Therefore, there's no reason, according to your premises, that Mary and Joseph couldn't have loved each other as a man and wife.
The overall message I am getting is that marital sex is somehow "bad", although I would not quote you as saying that outright. I am confused.
Despite what we are told in scripture about the Temple scene when Jesus was 12, do you say that Mary and Joseph worshiped Jesus as a child? Or, did they teach Him as parents do? Did they discipline Him before the age of reason? etc.
I'm starting to wonder if we have extremely different ideas about what was going on during Jesus' upbringing. :)
I am starting to wonder if we have entirely different ideas as to what is holy.
Mary was full of Grace. That which God touched is considered holy. She was holy. Touching that which is holy would desecrates it.
I can't believe you don't see the connection when you insist that there's nothing wrong with Mary and Joseph having sex post partum. There is nothing wrong with marital sex per se, but not when the sex object is someone purified by God. Anything else that touches it will make it less pure, less holy, "damaged goods."
For God, only the pure and without blemish was to be offered. You think Mary could just have sex and bear other children in the same womb that carried Christ? How bizarre! We are worlds apart, indeed. God is not your next door neighbor who borrows your new tool and then you continue to use it. But I am beginning to believe that some Protestants see God as just the Good Ole Old Man next door that we can be "buddies" with.
About the time the speculation of the Immaculate Conception was being developed, sex of any sort was viewed as bad. Or at least not a good thing. Augustine himself said that sex, even between a man and wife, is at best a venal sin and possibly a mortal one (if you only lusted after the spouse). There were a lot of reasons for this, much of it has to do with the influence of Plato's philosphy.