Edgewise

Immaculately Conceived Torture 2--Optional reading for extra credit

David Kolodney

Query to DKo: I know that JC was produced by immaculate conception but this is the first time I heard that Mary was also.

DKo: No, JC was not produced by Immaculate Conception, but by Virgin Birth. That is, Mary was not penetrated by a human male member emitting semen. Instead, the Holy Spirit (in the form of a Dove, I think) just hovered over her, and that’s how she became pregnant with Jesus. (I believe most people think of "the Virgin Mary" as a life-long virgin. But it is flatly stated in the New Testament that Jesus had four brothers—one of them James—and probably sisters, as well. You might say, Joseph did eventually "get some.")

It is only Mary who was produced by Immaculate Conception, and not by Virgin Birth. Mary's mother was penetrated by a human male member emitting semen; she got pregnant with Mary in the usual way. That's why there was the potential of her catching Original Sin. This potential was stronger than just a possibility; it was an inevitability (as it is for everyone), except for the miraculous fact that God intervened and prevented the Sin from actually reaching her. He purified the semen, I guess, as it was being ejaculated.

They wanted something for Mary's birth that would do the job. But it should not be as good as what Jesus' birth had. For Jesus, God went the extra mile.

BTW, I'm pretty sure there used to be a parallel in cases of artificial insemination. Legally, if it was performed by an MD, the paternity of the sperm donor was not transmitted in the semen. But, if it was performed by a non-MD, the sperm donor was legally the father. This may still be the law; I don't know. No kidding. Praise HIM!!

(It will be interesting to see if asexual sperm donation by a brother will trigger the same incest taboo as sexual intercourse. Or will it be demoted to a problem of inbreeding and Best-Practices eugenics? It is bound to come up at some point soon.)

I'm glad I was able to make this crystal clear.