DEAR ABBY: You printed a letter from a reader signed "Ex-Seminarian" discussing the topic of Immaculate Conception. He stated that according to Christianity, Immaculate Conception refers to Mary's having been born without the stain of sin (original sin). Well, I take exception to that statement.
There is absolutely no biblical reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus, having been born without "original sin." The Immaculate Conception refers to just that -- Jesus was conceived while Mary was a virgin. The concept of Mary being born without sin is something the Catholic Church has perpetuated for many years. She was certainly chosen by God to bear his son, but by no means or biblical reference was she without sin. This is merely man-made doctrine with no biblical basis.
You are NOT confused, Abby. It is "Ex-Seminarian" who is confused. -- MARINO GARCIA, CINCINNATI
DEAR MARINO: Perhaps. You weren't the only one to point this out. I should have caught the misstatement "according to Christianity" and corrected it to read "according to the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church." Other Christians may not accept the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, but the term is properly used to describe the circumstances of Mary's conception, not Jesus'.