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To: 7MMmag
What I was trying to say is not "debatable" (or "nothing to be pondered") is when she became pregnant, and how she knew she was pregnant. Yes, of course Scripture says she "pondered these things in her heart", but I can assure you she wasnt pondering whether or not she was pregnant; that is, she never needed a pregnancy test. To liken the Angel Gabriel to a pregnancy test is at least "crass" if not impure in nature. And that's exactly what this poster does.

Now, as far as the poster showing Mary and Joseph in bed together. 1, I don't know as a matter of fact, maybe you do, but maybe that TOO was made to "make people think more deeply about Christmas", and if it was, any Christian, not just a Catholic should have a problem with it.

2, let's say it wasn't. Let's say it was made, for some bizarre reason, to show its "possible" Mary wasn't a perpetual Virgin. What would be the reason for that? Only to offend Catholicism of course. A clearly "impure" motivation.

Or wait, I guess it could be one of those jokes we "fuddy duddy Catholics" just don't get cuz we have no sense of humor. After all, why do we take all offenses against Catholicism so darn seriously, right? We should just take it when Catholic beliefs are insulted. Otherwise, we just have no sense of humor if we don't, right?

90 posted on 12/25/2011 5:53:02 PM PST by FourtySeven (47)
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To: FourtySeven
No worries about the double post.

As far as that previous image goes, I don't know what they were thinking. Someone there had to know THAT one would undoubtedly offend, and for what purpose would they risk it, what good things would be gained? I have no idea. I really can't see much good coming from that previous one, if at all.

Yet that image leaks over into this one, since it came from the same sponsors. I'm not enough of an art expert to determine for a certainty if was a different artist, even if I had not but briefly glanced at it, which is the case. It looked like a different artistic style, but a similar editorial style, if you will allow.

Even if you, I, or others could take that for granted, I will submit again that that thought is provoked by our own personal knowledge and points of view, ie., what we know of it in scripture (in my case) and what other "stories" are commonly told and associated with the facts of her pregnancy, thus our responses are subjective in nature.

Since Mary had nothing to compare things with, as I spoke of previously, which remember she asked "how could I as I know not yet a man?" then we are left ASSUMING she had no doubt whatsoever, no wondering "is this what I think has been happening, really happening?"

The scripture does not go into that much detail, telling us explicitly that was the case or not, at least for that brief span of time before she met with Elisabeth, and before Elisabeth could break the news, make the announcement as to Mary's condition, and particular circumstance herself. We see in the Word that Lord moved upon Elisabeth and the child in her womb, with Elizabeth miraculously receiving the Holy Ghost right then when the as yet unborn John leaped in the womb, and prophesying that which would not only give confirmation to Mary, but place herself in the position of also knowing the truth, thus helping to equip them both with what they needed to know.

Modern women, in the course of their own lives, do not always receive such inner knowledge. Nor have their relative be filled with the Spirit prophesying to them what the condition is. (although there are bound to be exceptions to that statement).

And that is who the poster was designed to reach, to provoke thought, but those whom otherswise know of the story, but have never thought much on what Mary herself may have thought or felt, beyond what little scripture has to say?

I brought evidence here that at least for one catholic poster, it did prompt deeper contemplation (as she? said in her own words).

The argument that she wouldn't have needed to have a test to confirm her condition, is immaterial, as far as this art work is concerned. The rather obvious purpose was not to give a "bible lesson" or attempt to accurately portray the record, (as I have previously stated in other comments, not addressed to you).

To continue to completely discount the sponsor's stated intent, is to confuse the issue, mixing it in with the previous (regrettable?) image.

Perhaps women viewing the image, whom may have otherwise been living too loosely which is ALL TO COMMON nowadays, may take their own reproductive powers a bit more seriously, too? Some might, others would just keep going on with life as they had been living it, thinking that they too will one day birth someone significant, even if on accident. There's not much reaching and getting through to this latter category...they'd need something more than a single image poster to help prompt them reconsider their own ways (in light of the wider reality, including Christ).

Who said this latest art work was planned as a joke?

92 posted on 12/25/2011 7:08:49 PM PST by 7MMmag (when the crusaders encountered Suliman, they lost, and the survivors trudged back home perplexed)
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