Posted by John on December 10, 2002 at 17:05:23:
In Reply to: Immaculate Birth? posted by Bryon on December 10, 2002 at 11:11:47:
: I was listening to 90.5 Spirit FM. They play some good music. I was fine listening to everything until I heard something a little disturbing. They said that they were celebrating the Immaculate Birth of Mary. They said that she was born without the stain of sin. I don't know how that would be possible because that would mean that her parents would have to be sinless (without the disease) in order not to pass it on. That, then, would have to go all the way back to the origin of her line and being completely sinless.
: As far as I know, the scriptures speak of only one sinless person, Jesus Christ. I haven't found anywhere mentioning Mary as sinless.
: Wouldn't this be confusing for those who are not christian to understand the idea that Christ had to be sinless to be the perfect sacrifice in order to be able to be the atonement for our sins?
: Do catholics consider themselved christians? If so, why do they say they do things for the community and for other people to become "better catholics"?
: All of this is just a little confusing to me.
: I want thoughts on this from you all, at least from those of you who may know why they believe these things and anything that would help me know the truth or malady of this doctrine. I am not looking to start a fight, I just want to know how they can believe that and if there is any scriptural support for it.
: Steve, if you have any insight please include it. I really would like to know your point of view here.
I'm hardly an expert, but I also listen to that radio station from time to time. Despite what people think, it is good for me to have some sort of spiritual input in my life daily, regardless of the style. I do like it better than the protestant station simply because they don't have to cater to the different denominations that make up their market share and can be more deciscive with their statements. But they also play better music (Bill Carl is now the Program Director, remember him?).
Anyway, I don't believe in the sinlessness of Mary either. I don't know what scriptural basis there is for it, but I don't think they consider it to go back generations. I think they view it as being something that was special to her alone because God knew he was going to bring Jesus through her. Perhaps they think she was sinless because God could not tolerate sin and she had to nurture God for 9 months. I'm just guessing there. I don't think it is one of the crucial points you have to believe to be Catholic though.
Also, in my experience I have noticed that many of the Catholic doctrines make sense in the context of medieval society where they were adopted. People viewed the world differently and didn't have all of the scientific knowledge that we now have. As protestants, we can update our beliefs pretty easily if they come to seem foolish, but the Catholic church views themselves as God's authority on earth, so to change its views now because of new information requires alot of careful consideration. I mean from their perspective they want to be sure they aren't discounting a true revelation from God... you know since the church is his authority.
I do know there are many Catholic websites that should detail it for you if you look for them.
and i have wondered why they call themselves Catholic instead of just Christian, seeing as how they view themselves as the true universal church, but I guess it has to do with the fact that we have sort of stolen that name and they don't and to be confused with us.