Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 2/19/2006

Question
Hello

Some time ago a friend of mine, who does not attend a church, claimed that the church tries to attune everything to its own needs, and the way it's comfortable for this institution. For example she said that according to her Mary was a virgin not because she wanted or deemed it better to be a virgin but because the law (i'm not quite sure i think the law of the church)stated that it was better to be a virgin and so she was one. Another argument was that the bible says very little about Christ's relationship with women. She claims that the original version of the new testament (written i think in the language used by apostles) says more about Christ's relationship with women. And because of this the church, for example,rather dissaproves of sexual contacts especially before marriage. All in all what she's trying to say is that the church, the authorities in the church do everything in a way which seems to be more comfortable for them that is, for example, the translation of the original version of the N.T. is not so accurate, or the case with Mary and her virginity. What do you think about this, is it just rubbish? I think she must have read some books which disapprove the teachings of the church.
thanks

Answer
                          Peace

Dear Luke--
 I strongly disagree with your friend. One of simple means I refute some of her claims, is to ask her if can read and translate the 3 langue that Holy Bible was written in. If she can't, ask her how does she then validate her claims. What are her sources, and are they truly credible.
 The NT clearly shows Christ had great repect for women. Some examples. In the Hebrew culture of His day, to acknowledge the sex of someone public was declaration of some type of relationship. So when He acknowledge Mary as His Mother publicly, he was acknowledged a strong and healthy relationship between them. Another example is when the woman caught in adultry was brought to Him. According OT religious laws both persons should be brought before a Levite priest. He acknowledged that by not sentencing to death by stoning as the crowd desired. By doing so He was showing not only mercy but justice toward the woman. After the crowd left He acknowledged clearly she was guilty of the charge by telling her to sin no more and to go in peace.
 If you can get some titles and authors from your friend, I can maybe suggest some to counter act them.

                 your servant in Christ,
                         george