[Iscool]

I believe Mary had other children, after Jesus was born, but you are right, it has no affect on our salvation, or our relationship with God.

God can not be tempted...Jesus endured all kinds of temptation just as we are...This couldn't have been possible if Mary had been a perfect, sinless creation...Jesus got his human nature from Mary...If Mary had a nature that was different from all other humans, Jesus would have also...

This is significant since we are told by God that we, as his children can go to Jesus any time we need to get comfort and mercy because he understand us; he went thru what we go thru on a daily basis...

We can see Catholics have a problem with this since for them, Jesus for the most part is unapproachable...For us Jesus is as approachable as our parents or siblings...

They call Jesus their 'friend' but how do you have a friend when your clergy tells you that you can not have a personal relationship with the person...The term 'friend' then is meaningless...

So I do see it as important to having a relationship with God...I don't believe Catholics have a relationship with God...

[Mark17]

Yes, I see your point. The ONLY point I am trying make, is that Mary was NOT a perpetual virgin, and was not some sinless demigoddess, but a sinner, just like all of us.
I know that when I was a catholic, sometime in a different century, I never had a personal relationship with God. I do now, but I am an ex Catholic.

[redleghunter]

»They call Jesus their ‘friend’ but how do you have a friend when your clergy tells you that you can not have a personal relationship with the person...«

Good point.