Interesting responses. I know many non-Catholics, including my own mother ] that do not believe the same as Catholics. I presented this question in order to open a dialogue with non-Catholics, NOT Catholics, because I already know what Catholics generally believe because I’m Catholic. Now that you’ve all expressed yourselves in a multitude of appropriate and inappropriate, IMHO, I doubt that any non-Catholic will feel compelled to open a dialogue in response. You’ve chased them away.
If you can’t handle the hot water discussing this topic, then don’t respond. Many believe Mary was only a virgin with Jesus and afterwards did like all other women and had sex and children with Joseph. IN fact, they also do not believe that Mary was sinless. It could have been a good discussion, but you’ve thrown the Protestants in front of the bus, which is not charitable in my honest opinion. I try to reach people where they’re at, not where I’m at.
Twice, my own mother called Mary something I can’t even say and would be banned if I just posted what she said about Mary all because she found out I was considering becoming a priest. She offended everyone and made Archie Bunker look tame. She was the embarrassment of my life and literally wrote me out of her Will for taking such conservative Catholic/Christian views. She was also a bigot and my own prejudiced/idiotic brother described her as the “Grand Wizzard” of the Klu Klux Klan. Sad, but true. She died leaving her grandchildren nothing and manipulated my brother’s girlfriend into having an abortion. I wanted to see if this sense of being existed among others who do not accept Mary without sin or Jesus as not needing discipline. Could have been helpful to me to let my own Protestant family off the hook.
Note: SOme of your responses were quite respectful and intelligently presented. Others, well, let’s just say we need some lessons.