KC Hill
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Oracle of DelphiDecember 8 - Dogma of Immaculate Conception
December 7th 2006 22:54
December 8, 1854
Today marks the Pop Pius IX's official dogmatisation of the doctrine of Immaculate Conception, an important act, as it is often the key belief that separates Catholicism and Protestantism, among other doctrines. Such an act had been hinted at previously, by such popes as Pope Sixtus IV, who declared the feat of the Immaculate Conception in 1476, and the Council of Trent allowed the existence of the doctrine, but prior to Pius IX's announcement, the doctrine had never existed as dogma.
In essence, the belief holds that God allowed the Virgin Mary to be born without Original Sin - the sin that each human after Adam and Eve is born into. Original Sin itself is a contentious doctrine, one that is characteristically Catholic, hence the belief that unbaptised babies will go to Limbo. Nevertheless the Catholic doctrine of Immaculate Conception dictates that Mary was born without such sin, allowing her to be the mother of Jesus, and subsequently to lead a sinless life.
Outside Catholicism, the belief is generally not a common Christian belief. Orthodox sects do not believe in original sin, however they do believe that Mary led a sinless life. On the other hand, most protestant and affiliated sects commonly reject both the doctrine of Immaculate Conception and Original Sin. This is based on Paul's teachings in the New Testament that the law exists to outline sin, and thus sin does not exist outside of law. Since humans are not born into law itself, they are not born into sin. Protestants also commonly believe that Mary was and is not such a key figure in Christianity on the same level that Catholics hold to.
December 8 is celebrated as the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Catholicism.
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Comment by Anonymous
Interesting fact. Even how Christian believed that Mary did not play a very important role in the teachings, but I agree that at some point, God has chosen Mary to bare Jesus.
Probably already in the beginning of god's plan.
Comment by Anonymous
If Mary was born without Sin, as she was planned by God to bare the son of God, does that make her divine?
Because Jesus is the son of God, he is divine. And he was born to this world through Mary. Would that make her divine as equivalent to God as well?
Just a curious thought.
Comment by Jimbo
As to Mary's divinity, there is a point at which Catholics do begin to believe as such. There's no possible way to place all Catholics in this boat, but given the ratio of importance placed on Mary and Jesus, Mary does tend to come out on top, particularly in Roman-Catholic circles.
Comment by Jessicca
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Malaysia Found
I guess that in Christian believes, we were taught to concentrate on God more. We place hope on God, have relationship with God, and place our burdens at the cross.
Christians do emphasis on the word in the Bible that stated in the New Testiment:
John 14:6, 7
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
So I guess because of that, there will always be a split in believes. But ultimately, where your faith lies only you will know yourself.