[A.A. Cunningham]

All you have is a few brief posts.

What I have is what you have volunteered:

FWIW, my wife was Catholic for a little over 30 years and her whole family is very devout Catholic. This “Mary was ever-virgin” claim was something my wife says she had never heard of before.

If your wife was a practing Catholic she not only heard but publicly proclaimed that the Blessed Mother was a perpetual virgin. Do you want to amend your earlier statement?

[RobRoy]

>>What I have is what you have volunteered: <<

Exactly. Like I said, I have more information than you.

>>If your wife was a practing Catholic she not only heard but publicly proclaimed that the Blessed Mother was a perpetual virgin. Do you want to amend your earlier statement?<<

No. Interestingly my wife still has a great fondness for the “rituals” of Catholicism. I’ve been to a Christmas Midnight Mass with her. However, she no longer believes in “the Eucharist” or a lot of other stuff that is unique to Catholicism, though she very much believes and understands, as an adult, the meaning and importance of communion.

Without sidetracking the thread too much, the Eucharist is another example of taking a very simple thing and seriously muddling it up. The purpose of the communion, as described in the bible, is clearly symbolism of the most basic and foundational tenet of Christianity. To suggest that the wine and bread LITERALLY become the body and blood of Christ in your body is ludicrous. Communion is a symbol and reminder of what Christ did for us.

And regardless of one’s interpretation of the “controversial” beliefs in Christianity, this very simple symbolic act has Christianity intact since the Lord gave us the example at the last supper.

And the beauty of it is that Jesus says “as often as you do this”, meaning you can do it with every meal.