Every once in awhile, I read something that reminds me of how far I have journeyed from the confusing world of religion. An article in the December edition of Time Magazine made me aware of the giant leap I have taken.

The cover story was on Mary, mother of God, or Jesus, or both. It related how more and more people around the world are worshipping her, and as a result, arguments regarding her virginity, status and sexuality are rising to extraordinary levels. The religious feminists and liberals want to interpret Mary as a co-redeemer, and an independent human activist raring to jump off her sacred pedestal. Whereas the traditionalists want to keep her as a passive, non-sexual handmaiden of God's will. And there are other arguments arising as to whether Mary was really immaculately conceived by her mother; whether Christ was miraculously conceived by Mary; and whether Mary was a perpetual virgin throughout her life, even though there are indications that she had other children.

After reading the article, I tried to relate it as tongue-in-cheek as I could to my husband (who was washing dishes). About half way through the discourse, he interrupted me with a "nip it in the bud" question:

"What in the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm not talking about hell. I'm talking about heaven," I retorted.

"Why?" he said, "I didn't think we believed in it anymore."

"Well, occasionally I think it's good to see how much progress we've made by reading an irrational article like this one," I remarked.

"Oh, you had me worried for a moment. I thought you were going to become a believer in perpetual virginity," he said.

"Now there's a thought," I smiled. "Actually, I repented of that long ago."

--Nancy Moore