by Keith Cantrell

Created on: March 24, 2009

Yes, but only in the sense that she was a major character in a legendary fictional tale like any other character. In other words, this question is like asking if Isis was the mother of Horus or if a Greek goddess was the mother of a Greek hero. It simply depends on the context in which you are asking the question. It also has no relevance except in the literary sense and ultimately is meaningless on a larger more cosmopolitan scale.

The real problem with a question like this is that it presumes without any evidence whatsoever that the story of Jesus and the Gospels and in fact the entire Bible are actually the true word of God. This is what we should really be investigating. So, instead of asking if Mary was the mother of Jesus, we should be asking, is the Bible infallible and is it really the Word of God?

In addition to that inquiry we should be asking ourselves if religion even has any relevance for us today in a modern world. What is it's purpose? Why does it continue to exist? More crime, violence, evil, war and bloodshed has been committed in the name of religion than any other human endeavor. Scientists rarely kill one another. Doctors the world over are dedicated to saving lives. Teachers want to educate children, not kill them. Yet theologians and other religious leaders are only interested in fighting about who has the proper doctrine and begging for money from gullible "sheeple" to finance their "ministry." The examples of corrupt and misguided priests, pastors, cardinals, rabbis, popes, ministers, missionaries, apostles and disciples is endless. Yet we continue to elevate them to a godlike status by claiming they are doing "God's work."

By eliminating religion we will also be eliminating the tyranny of ignorance and clearing the way for logic, reason and rationality to help guide us into the future. Mere religion based in myth and superstition will only hinder our progress. Additionally, the longer we waste time pondering silly questions like this, the longer it will take us to find answers to real problems like global warming, cancer, sustainability, ending war, improving health care or ending poverty.

In fact, religion in general including Christianity from which this question originated, is one of the main reasons why we haven't progressed to the point of building a bright, sustainable and healthy future for our children. So, the sooner we stop wasting time on silly, meaningless religious superstitions, the sooner we can make our lives more meaningful in a way that really matters.

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