Did God ask Mary to have his child or did he "Rape" her?
105086
Kinda sounds like Zeus (as a swan) and Leda....\n\nOld fairytales die hard. : )\n\nI must say, I am quite glad you are asking all of these questions.  It is making people (well, at least SOME people) really think about their belief system.  Good for you. \n\nKeep them coming.
1177296
It is the belief that Mary was conceived without original sin.  It has nothing to do with the virgin conception of Jesus.
158936
There was a special about this on the Discovery Channel (or maybe it was History, I mix them up all the time) that used the question of the possibility of Jesus's mother Mary conceiving a child while still being a virgin.  They base it on scientific theory of course and not on a belief in procreation by a Divine source.  In the end, they came to a conclusion that it is possible, and has happened at some point in the past, although i can't remember if being a hemaphrodite was a prerequisite or not.
937741
This was during the Crucifixion.\n\nGenerally considered that Joseph was dead and, thusly, Mary was a widow.\n\nJesus, being thoughtful of His mother, was asking that the beloved disciple, John, take care of her.  So, "woman, behold thy son; son, behold thy mother"\n\nApparently a way of speaking, in that age and culture, (and when words were at a great premium)  whereby Jesus said to Mary, now John will be like a son to you; taking care of you. And to John He said, take care of Mary just as you would your own mother.
1126049
Mary is Ever Virgin\nExodus 13:2,12 - Jesus is sometimes referred to as the "first-born" son of Mary. But "first-born" is a common Jewish expression meaning the first child to open the womb. It has nothing to do the mother having future children.\n\nExodus 34:20 - under the Mosaic law, the "first-born" son had to be sanctified. "First-born" status does not require a "second" born.\n\nEzek. 44:2 - Ezekiel prophesies that no man shall pass through the gate by which the Lord entered the world. This is a prophecy of Mary's perpetual virginity. Mary remained a virgin before, during and after the birth of Jesus.\n\nMark 6:3 - Jesus was always referred to as "the" son of Mary, not "a" son of Mary. Also "brothers" could have theoretically been Joseph's children from a former marriage that was dissolved by death. However, it is most likely, perhaps most certainly, that Joseph was a virgin, just as were Jesus and Mary. As such, they embodied the true Holy Family, fully consecrated to God.\n\nLuke 1:31,34 - the angel tells Mary that you "will" conceive (using the future tense). Mary responds by saying, "How shall this be?" Mary's response demonstrates that she had taken a vow of lifelong virginity by having no intention to have relations with a man. If Mary did not take such a vow of lifelong virginity, her question would make no sense at all (for we can assume she knew how a child is conceived). She was a consecrated Temple virgin as was an acceptable custom of the times. \n\nLuke 2:41-51 - in searching for Jesus and finding Him in the temple, there is never any mention of other siblings. \n\nJohn 7:3-4; Mark 3:21 - we see that younger "brothers" were advising Jesus. But this would have been extremely disrespectful for devout Jews if these were Jesus' biological brothers. \n\nJohn 19:26-27 - it would have been unthinkable for Jesus to commit the care of his mother to a friend if he had brothers.\n\nJohn 19:25 - the following verses prove that James and Joseph are Jesus' cousins and not his brothers: Mary the wife of Clopas is the sister of the Virgin Mary. \n\nMatt. 27:61, 28:1 - Matthew even refers to Mary the wife of Clopas as "the other Mary."\n\nMatt. 27:56; Mark 15:47 - Mary the wife of Clopas is the mother of James and Joseph.\n\nMark 6:3 - James and Joseph are called the "brothers" of Jesus. So James and Joseph are Jesus' cousins.\n\nMatt. 10:3 - James is also called the son of "Alpheus." This does not disprove that James is the son of Clopas. The name Alpheus may be Aramaic for Clopas, or James took a Greek name like Saul (Paul), or Mary remarried a man named Alpheus.\n\n\nJesus' "Brothers" (adelphoi)) = Cousins or Kinsmen\nLuke 1:36 - Elizabeth is Mary's kinswoman. Some Bibles translate kinswoman as "cousin," but this is an improper translation because in Hebrew and Aramaic, there is no word for "cousin." \n\nLuke 22:32 - Jesus tells Peter to strengthen his "brethren." In this case, we clearly see Jesus using "brethren" to refer to the other apostles, not his biological brothers.\n\nActs 1:12-15 - the gathering of Jesus' "brothers" amounts to about 120. That is a lot of "brothers." Brother means kinsmen in Hebrew.\n\nActs 7:26; 11:1; 13:15,38; 15:3,23,32; 28:17,21 - these are some of many other examples where "brethren" does not mean blood relations.\n\nRom. 9:3 - Paul uses "brethren" and "kinsmen" interchangeably. "Brothers" of Jesus does not prove Mary had other children.\n\nGen. 11:26-28 - Lot is Abraham's nephew ("anepsios") / Gen. 13:8; 14:14,16 - Lot is still called Abraham's brother (adelphos") . This proves that, although a Greek word for cousin is "anepsios," Scripture also uses "adelphos" to des
984382
You have asked a question that has plagued me!\n\nI'm just trying to fathom this deal.  Joseph was considerably older than Mary.  Is their conjugal arrangement  discussed in scripture? I dunno, but I've imagined a scene that might sound like this:\n\nMary:  Umm Honey?  \nJoseph: Yes, dear?\nM:   I have something to tell you?\nJ:    Yes? What is it?\nM:   Well.  you see...\nJ:    Just tell me. What's the matter.\nM:   Well..\nJ:    Just spit it out.. come on.. what is it?\n\n(Pregnant pause...)\n\nM:    I'm preggers.\nJ:     Excuse me?  You're what?\nM:   Preggers, knocked up.. I am pregnant.. (she's crying)\nJ:    There, there my dear.  Oh.. wait?  (counting on his fingers)\n        It's been a long time since we... Wait   a   minute. You  said\n        you were a .. a.. \nM:    VIRGIN!! (Still crying) yes, I AM a Virgin!   you see.\nJ:    I see?  I SEE??  You tramp!!  Harlot!  Why I oughta..\nM:   Dear Joseph.. it's not like that.  It's like I've been chosen..\nJ:   (Interrupting)  Chosen?? Chosen??? I've got your chosen right\n      here!  (moves toward her)\nM:   (Cowering a little)  JOSEPH.  Stop!  I was visited by an angel\n        of the Lord!  He was so beautiful and all angleific and every-\n       thing!  He said I was Chosen and that ...\nJ:    Chosen!? Angel?  Are you nuts!!?  You got it on with an \n       ANGEL?  What kind of fool do you take me for?\nM:   (Under her breath.. There's no fool like an old fool..) He said \n        I was Chosen and we're gonna have a baby and the \n       baby is going to be the Son of God!\n\nJoseph just looks at her shaking his head.  Mary stands and holds her hands at her sides palms up.  She looks like a statue on a Catholic medal.  There's a little nimbus around her head.\n\nJ:     Jesus Christ! You want me to believe that an Angel  came\n        and did what? \nM:    Actually, it was rather nice.  He sorta glowed in that angel-\n        ific way, and zappo, I'm preggers!  Jesus?  That sounds like\n        a nice name.. hmmm Jesus Christ..\n\nLong pause..\n\nJ:      (Mumbling..) Jesus Christ Almighty!! What's for dinner?    \n         Your mother isn't coming over again is she?\nM:     You're not upset are you?\nJ:      I'll set the table.  (Mumbles.. ) Jesus Christ!  Jeeezus!\n\nMary hums a little supper preparation tune and wonders when Joseph will fix the front door, which hasn't closed right for months.
991618
Yes, this was when Mary informed Jesus that they had run out of wine.  Your question is a bad translation.  It should read "What of Me to Thee?"  This is Jesus reminding his mother that once this started, it can't be undone.  The relationship between Jesus and Mary will change from Mother and Son to Redeemer and Redeemed.  They both knew that his ministry will end on Calvary.  And Mary has given another Fiat, Let it be done according to Thy will.
115117
I think perhaps God should make decisions like those. Medical Science is great and all but God has power over all things. Choose your child. From the mother's stand point what better way to die, than by giving another life. Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend. (I think baby relatives count too.) From the father's stand point what better way to show God you totally trust him? A friend of mine was told about six months ago that she should abort her child because he would never breathe on his own, his skull would not be formed,his facial features would be distorted, and the child's brain would be in essence.... dead.Pam and Mike were basically told to kill their unborn child because a medical test "proved" it would be for the best. Rather than putting their faith in medicine they put their faith in God and  today a miracle happened. Pam gave birth to a basically healthly child. He is breathing just fine all by himself, despite some minor physical abnormalities he is a beautiful healthy child. Praise God for this precious life! If Mike would have put his faith in science, or Pam had chosen instead to have her baby aborted because something might be wrong.... well the world would have missed out on this brand new perfect life. The real question is not who can I save? But, in whom can I put my faith? You have no control over life or death, which means YOU can NOT Choose who lives. ie. If the father decides "choose" to abort the child who is to say that during the procedure the mother would not also die? It has happened. an abortion requires a serious, though minimally invasive, surgical procedure.It's called a Dilitation and Curretage more commonly refered to as a D&C.(not only for decicive abortions, a D&C is commonly done on women who have had a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage to prevent uterine infections)I personally have seen (working on a surgical floor) women who have nearly died from complications of this "minimally invasive" procedure.If you put your faith in God he will direct your path.
587186
also... if god had a child, (jesus), why shouldn't jesus have a child?
902696
you're so right....  growing up my dest friends mom was as much a mom to me as my own -sometimes moreso.  i look at our Blessed Mother in somewhat the same manner.... I love Jesus with all my heart and thus, His Mother for giving Him to me.  sure He was God's Only Son - but  HE was also Mary's Son.  i've heard people say she wasn't necessary.... if she wasn't God wouldn't have chosen her.  if she wasn't Jesus wouldn't have loved her and stayed with her and listened to her.  some people say - Mary wasn't important - she was only a vessel....   tell that to all adoptive children.  tell that to those on death row and in prosion because of "trauma from not having a mother's love".....  \nBTW, i'm proudly named after Our Lady  :)\n\nGod BLess!\n\n\nPS - on the honour thy father and mother.... notice they don't complain about the usage of the word father - yet when calling a priest you hear - you shouldn't call anyone else father?!?!?
1046337
Mary is significant only in that God needed someone to give birth to His only begotten Son.  Putting any more importance on her than that is not scriptural, and erroneous.\n\nThis I believe; http://homelessheart.com/testimony.htm
722523
ALL THIS 17 YEARS I HAVE BEEN TRACIN GOD I DID NT FIND ONE.BUT ACCORDING TO ME JESUS WAS A BABY LEFT IN CATTLE SHED.HE WAS FOUND BY MARY WHO WAS A VIRGIN SO CALLED VIRGIN MARY (MOTHER)AS SHE WAS NOT MARRIED.HE GREW UP AS A NORMAL BOY BUT HAD TO FACE HUMILIATION OF BEEN BORN TO MARY WHO WAS VIRGIN.HE TRIED TO PREACH LOVE BUT IN FAVOUR THE JEWS PRIEST WANTED HIM TO CRUCFIED .BUT THE COMMANDER OF CEASER WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THIS AS JESUS HAD ALREADY FACED THE PUNISHMENT HE REQUIRED.SO HE MADE A PACT WITH JESUS THAT THE CRUCIFICATION WOULD BE DONE BUT IT WOULD IT WOULD BE A PLAY HE WOULD BE GIVEN ANESTHESIA (MOSTLY WINE IN THOSE DAYS) AFTER THE CRUCIFICATION .HIS ALIVE BODY WAS SHIFTED TO THE CAVES SECRETLY HEALED AND HE RECOVERED IN 3 DAYS .HE WALKED INTO THE CITY AND ASKED HIS FOLLOWERS TO COME WITH HIM .HERE ONLY JUDAS FOLLWED HIM FROM HIS TEN FOLLOWERS .PEOPLE FOLLLOWED HIM AND WENT TO EGYPT .AND SETTLE BESIDES A NILE RIVER BASIN.JUDAS NEVER BETRAYED JESUS HE FOLLOWED THE ORDERS OF JESUS .HE WAS OBEDIENT ,FAITHFULL AND DIFFRENT FROM OTHERS THATS THE REASON JESUS LOVED HIM.JESUS MARRIED MARY AND WAS ALIVE FOR 45 YEARS AFTER CRUCIFACTION .HE HAD A SECRET FAMILY WHICH WAS PROTECTED FROM BEING KNOWN TO MANKIND .THERE ARE MANY EVIDEINCE OF IT.THE BIBLE ITS IS ONE IT STATE MARY MAGDELENE AS A PROSTITUTE TO PROTECT ITSELF .AS THE CHURCH SAYS A PERSON CAN BE GOD ONLY IF HE IS SINGLE.THE CHURCH ALSO SAYS GOD IS IMMORTAL .DOES ANY ONE NO WHAT IS IMMORTAL .IT MEANS UR NAME SHALL REMAIN IN THE MINDS OF PEOPLE EVEN IF THE DUST FROM UR BONES IS GONE.
1117786
No ... it seems it was not just the having the kid .. it was having the kid tortured and killed that did the trick. Oddly the christians believe that god got over it because he got to watch his son die in agony ... now THAT is one sick religion.
1165974
It is practically the same but differ in the way Jesus died. But since you touched such topic, may I ask that if Mary did concieve without the usual sexual cohabitation with man, what do you call that conception? Is He still man? \n\nRemember, in order to be called human, there should be a union of human germinal cells (sperm cell from the male and egg cell from the female) coming from both sexes in order to complete the chromosomal paring.  So, if no man has touch Mary, how did the embryo become whole? \n\nYou say that in order to understand the scriptures, people say that they need logic and proper explanation. So, how can anyone explain that?
45504
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.\n\nLuke 1:26-38
766650
The Holy Spirit came upon Mary and impreginated her while she was a virgin.  She did not have sex with Joseph until after Jesus was born.  After Jesus was born she had other childern by Joseph.  Mary is his biological mother but Joseph is not his biological father, the Holy Spirit made a virgin conceive.\nThe ONLY time that it will ever happen. Jesus is Very God and very man.\n\nI really don't understand what Genesis 4:1 came into it.
466226
No, there is absolutely no proof of that, but lets add things up.  Jesus is 'God the Son', part of the trinity of God.  He comes to sacrifice himself for us.  He lived a pure and perfect life and resurrected from the dead.  Now, if Jesus is God, what need or reason would there be for God to marry a woman?  God doesn't have desires of the flesh.  Yes Jesus was exposed to those desires here on earth, but the Bible tells us that he never gave in to any of those desires.  Mary Magadalene was a disiple of Christ.  She was only one of His followers and belivers, nothing more.