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Well, I reread the post again and I still come away with the same impressions. However, I do know you're a wonderful person to discuss things with Kolo and I believe you truly weigh the facts and simply have a difference of opinion which I respect. The only conclusion I can come to is that I must be misreading your post. The problem with a discussion of Mary is that Protestants often come across as harsh on her. Nothing could be further from the truth. I believe we have the greatest admiration of her since we would all agree she was an example of submission to God's calling and obedient to His will regardless of the possible consequences. (She could have been stoned.)

Whether Mary was a perpetual virgin or not is really a very minor point IMO. If I were to declare tomorrow that I thought Mary was a perpetual virgin it wouldn't change any of my other beliefs.

Personally I think the emphasis on Mary is a BIG theology error.

"Whether Mary was a perpetual virgin or not is really a very minor point IMO. If I were to declare tomorrow that I thought Mary was a perpetual virgin it wouldn't change any of my other beliefs."

You know, during this thread I have wondered the same thing but of course presuming that I were to conclude that she wasn't "ever virgin". I have concluded that it wouldn't change what I feel about her at all, but I'm not sure that means much. I have grown up and lived in a religious culture which taught me about her from before I can remember. I have no recollection of not having her icons around. I have no recollection of not thinking of her as my mother. As I told another Freeper today, she has always been there for me in those "fox holes of life", ever since I was a very homesick 14 year old away from home at prep school to today when I saw her icon when I got up from bed and later sat at a desk in the office with her icon directly in front of me. I can be pretty grown up and educated about patristics and The Faith in most areas, but when it comes to her, well, I'm still that 14 year old homesick kid. I doubt I'll ever change.

Whether Mary was a perpetual virgin or not is really a very minor point IMO. If I were to declare tomorrow that I thought Mary was a perpetual virgin it wouldn't change any of my other beliefs.

Harley,

The reason why Mary is so important theologically is because she reflects the Church itself. What is said about the Church is said about Mary and vice versus. It is only a deeper reflection that brings this out. This spiritual intepretation of Sciptures makes sense out of an otherwise erotic story of the Song of Songs. It awakens an "ah-ha" when one reads Genesis 3:15 or Rev 12. Thus, our recognition of this fact, that God has not only blessed Mary as being a container for our Savior for 9 months, but she is an integral part of salvation history that continues to this day.

The relationship between the mother and child continues... It doesn't end when the child is born. We merely are mimicing what God does by honoring Mary so highly and sublimely.

Thus, on the surface, virginity seems to mean nothing, it tells us something about Christ AND the Church.

Regards