The Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches argue that for any Christian to even entertain the idea that the Lord Jesus had brothers and sisters is unbiblical, untrue and inconceivable. Mainstream Christian and Protestant theologians and exegetes’ commentaries revolve around the proper meaning for the Greek word “Adelphos” for brothers and “Adelphe” for sisters. In tackling the linguistic terminology, use and syntax, traditions and doctrines, the New Testament was written in the Greek language and the conflict stem from its interpretation. Fathers of the mainstream Churches staunchly wrote and defended their teachings that emphasize:

1-      There is a vast difference between “Worship” (Latria), Devotion and Service of God, and “Honoring” (Dulia/Hyperdulia) for Saints of God including Mary, in accordance with the warning of the Bible not to “…worship Angels” (Col. 2:18) or any other creature: “And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped [him]. But Peter took him up saying: “stand up; I myself also am a man.” (Act 10:25-26)

2-      All the New Testament passages that speak of Jesus’ Brothers and Sisters are in fact referring to His cousins, his Apostles, His Disciples, brotherhood of Christians, including but not limited to brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, or any one in the immediate or extended clan, tribe or family circle, etc.

3-      If there were Brothers and Sisters, why were they not present at His mock trial, suffering, crucifixion, or at the foot of the Cross, etc? Anyone knows?

4-      Mary was a virgin, conceived while a virgin, delivered while a virgin, and remain virgin till her death and/or her bodily ascension into Heaven, as debatably held belief by Catholics and Greek Orthodox.

All religions, without exception, belittle women, their roles, demands of equation, abilities, and influence as a weaker vessel as per the words of the arch-apostle Peter (1Pet 3:7).  Is this a reason why Jesus’ brothers are named in many biblical passages but no one of His Sisters? Notwithstanding the special unique role, status and eminence of Mary, believers tend, through the teachings of their spiritual leaders, to read into the subject, thus according to it dimensions far beyond the Divine Plan for salvation. In contrast to Mary’s willing and sincere obedience and submission, the rebellion of women and their earnest desire to be equal with men started at the Garden of Eden and intensified in our days. Some say that God is “He”, some intone that He is a “She”. For those Christians who believe that “He” is, some tag Mary, the feminine gender, as a parallel and balancing partner and dimension, in the salvation process. The argument goes like this: since Jesus is the King of Kings, it is obvious for the King of Kings to have, at the absence of a wife, a Queen Mother. Those who believe in Mary’s intercession and Her ability to save forward unfounded similitude in who can intercede and save through an equation in which:

ADAM & EVE          vs.        JESUS & MARY

If we examine closely this equation, we find out many discrepancies and claims:

1-      Adam and Eve were created, while Christ was born of a virgin, and Mary was conceived through sexual procreation.

2-      In spite of Adam’s absence during the temptation of Eve by Satan, he became an accomplice in sin by association, since he was the head of the woman.

3-      “A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also” (Luke 2:27-35). Mary suffered but she was not tortured or crucified on behalf of anyone. How can she be a partner in Salvation?

4-      Jesus did not allow Mary His Mother to share in the work of His mission, as we can ascertain from the narratives of Mark 3:31-33, Luke 2:48-49 and John 2:3-4 among others, then how could Mary become a partner in the salvation process?

5-      How can we explain in line with God’s Word and Book: “Christ became incarnate to carry all the sins of the world on the Cross, and being equal with the Father, He offered His sacrifice of propitiation to God the Father once and for all, and the Father received it and Him as the only accepted sacrifice for salvation?

6-      What is the meaning of the redundant repetition of the fact in the New Testament that says: One and Only Savior and Mediator: The God-Man Jesus Christ?

7-      Do we consider the apparitions of Virgin Mary new Gospel ushering new statutes amending previous ones? Did Virgin Mary appear to anyone? I am positively certain She did,  as Christ did, and as Angels and Saints of God did over the centuries; how many a man has claimed truthfully or falsely that Mary or God or Christ appeared to them, or both together as in Joseph Smith case, the founder of Mormons? I do not believe that God changes His statutes and ordinances; it is against his Sovereignty, Nature and Perpetuity. Who are we to limit God’s Will, Purpose and Wisdom? Did not God make the bush in Moses’ case, the donkey in Balaam’s case, the mute to speak, etc.?

8-      All the religions of the world suffered many schisms mainly due to hundreds of claimants who alleged said that this or that god appeared to them and gave them new dispensations. In this respect, Christianity surpassed all other religions with 99 main denominations and 3300 cults.