- Aug 6, 2005
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CJ, the belief regarding Mary is ancient.
Feel free to give the date of the first time when any denomination specifically taught that Mary was a PERPETUAL virgin. Then, we might want to compare that with Gnosticism and some of the other things you and I reject, and see which is older. I think what we will both conclude is that age is unrelated to truth.
THAT said and noted, I have often posted that the Perpetual Virginity of Mary is probably the second oldest of the Marian dogmas (the Mother of God is older - and one I too embrace - but it's more of a title than anything). It's age and for many centuries universality is the cause of consideration (Lutherans do NOT reject this - or any of the Marian views - we just don't regard them all as dogma).
You cannot possibly think the OO and EO and CC all got together after the reform and decided to try to fool the protestants. Right?
Clearly you are not grasping a few historical facts.
IF the doctrine [or should say - the truth] of Mary and her perpetual virginity and her purity, and her bodily going directly to Heaven was a creation or distortion -- it could not exist within the OO if in fact these doctrines did not exist....prior to the schism.
Yet - you ask repeatedly where we can find them.
Here is the simple fact of the matter staring us in the face - the OO schismed shortly after the ecumenical council - and therefore whatever ancient doctrines that existed prior to that schism and stayed within the Church ...is proof positive that even if it was not written down in detail [as you insist must be done] the oral Tradition did in fact exist and survived.
Trust me - aside from being in schism, the OO were also isolated from the Church due to a problem back in that time. [it may have been political and something about ownerships of land etc- i cannot recall the details]
SO for all intents and purposes, you look at an isolated Church - see they held onto the Traditons - then you know for fact the oral Tradition survived even if they could not be reached to teach them these things later.
IE - here is a good modern day version...
If a group of folks see an event take place - but are seperated [immediately] onto different islands without telephones or messages in bottles and they refuse to speak to one another but a police man or reporter goes to each island and finds that all the folks are telling the same story 70 years later - and none of them have been able to communicate with the other...
Then you know that the very last event before they were taken away to isolated islands - means that they didnt get to confer about the incident and yet they were able to retain the same information.
SO now the final analysis comes to this --~~> SInce they didnt get to 'make some sort of conspiracy theory together' and yet all recant the same event - that they are all telling the truth...arent they?
SEE why it is significant that the Tradition has been passed down since the beginning??
Even if the writings came later - all the Churches held to these significant doctrines and beliefs.
That is ORAL teaching at work, and powered by the Holy Spirit.
Mostly lost there, my respected friend...
I NEVER stated ANYTHING about any conspiracies. I NEVER stated ANYTHING that ANYONE was trying to fool anyone.
I am 100% absolutely CERTAIN that Catholics today and whatever denomination(s) existed in the late 8th century when this was made dogma, are and were sincere, convinced and certain they were/are doing the rigtht thing. I hope I never implied ANYTHING to the contrary. I'm SURE that's true with Unam Sanctum, the Infalliblity of the Papacy for the RCC. I'm also SURE it's true for all Mormons believe and profess about Joseph Smith, those plates, Jesus, His Church (the LDS), etc. I tend not to question the sincerity or integrity of my brothers and sisters. That's NEVER been the issue for me (or, as far as I can tell, any of the Protestants here at CF).
The issue is truth. Truth matters (ESPECIALLY when you are talking about my Mother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). The RCC argues that Mary Had No Sex Ever is a matter of Truth to the highest level of certainty and importance. So, it seems good and right to me to pursue that issue. YES, you believe it to be true, just as the Davidians thought Jesus was coming behind Halley's Comet and just as Mormons believe Smith found those plates, I've NEVER doubted or questioned the sincerity or faith or intregity of any of them! But, friend, dogma is a teaching of the highest certainty - the "bar" has been raised as high as it goes, thus the substantiation for it raises with it. A "rumor" is an unsubstantiated story, no matter how popularly or anciently held. The Catholic Catechism says that to spread a rumor is to sin, and that sins are not loving. Thus, as you well know (as we ALL well know) the issue here then is this: is there dogmatic substantiation (otherwise, it's not dogma and it is a rumor), and of course, that needs to be of a nature that the RCC and CAtholics accept of others.
IF your denomination had a DOGMA that my aunt (recently departed) ALWAYS had sex "on top" of her husband, in that position, I'd kinda be asking the same qeustions. It wouldn't be NEARLY as relevant nor as emotional to me (since I love Our Blessed Lady far more than I do my now departed aunt). You telling me, "but my denomination has been saying that about her for a long time" or "but my denomination is sincere" wouldn't carry much weight vis-a-vis establishing the dogmatic truth of this sex practice OR in why it is a matter of highest importance that all 6.5 billion people know that about my aunt.
Thank you.
Pax
- Josiah
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