Christianity's views of Mary, Ever Virgin.

Tweet

While I would not give Mary status as a Goddess, she was certainly chosen by God for a very special role. In the church, Mary seemed to fill a need by some pagans whom the church assimilated to pray to a feminine personage. They were very careful not to call her a deity of any kind, as befits the mythology. In ancient mythology, the male deities often went about choosing women to beget mortal heroes by. You still hear about Hercules and not about his mother. There are many claims made about the Virgin Mary, and she is given the same honor as any other mortal in the Church. She is called a Saint. However, in comparison with the other Saints, she is venerated with prayers more often than any, I think. In that way, I suppose, we could say that Mary stands above the other saints. Even Moses and the Archangel, Michael, are not addressed in prayers as commonly as the Virgin Mary. The bible seems to cover a lot of material on adultery and unfaithfulness. The Virgin Mary seems to be the incarnation and epitome of purity and trustworthiness – a decided counterpoint. I believe there is something very iconic and powerful in that. A perfect woman. (This seems unrealistic, but we are talking about faith and a sainted woman.) This puts Mary on a Pedestal. Although the bible does not talk about Mary traveling with Jesus and giving speeches or performing miracles, she is afforded a high honor in the Church. People pray to the Virgin Mary and attribute to her, after her death, with signs and miracles. The theology which decrees Mary to be the blessed ever virgin seems to unite the two things most desired in a man when thinking about women. The Mother and the Virgin. Logically, it would seem that these two states cannot mutually exist. Yet, the mythology of Mary provides a single women who is able to be presented as the perfect mother and perfect bride. If I ever get to heaven, I would be most delighted to have the actual truth of Mary revealed to me. I have intensely curious, how much of what the Church teaches about her is real and what was some sort of iconic wish-fulfillment. Questions for you: What do you, personally, think about Mary? Not necessarily what your church says, but what do you feel is true in your heart. Do you find anything interesting .. or frustrating.. about how Mary is portrayed?