I need some advice please!

[huncamunca]

My 13yr old daughter has asked me some questions about the bible and religion and i'm not quite sure how to answer them. I do not believe in God but have brought her up to always respect the views and beliefs of others(religious or otherwise) even if she doesn't agree with them. She would like to know - 1. How can people believe that a baby (Jesus) could be conceived in any other way apart from the conventional way? 2. Why does the Bible say that being gay is wrong when gay people are allowed to be priests and does that mean that even though they are doing God's work does He still think they are wrong. 3. How come some things in the Bible are still followed today but not others? When she asked I said I didn't know but would get back to her on it. Any views welcome! Thanks

[keyplus90]

Do I sound a bit sleepy?

[WaldoMcFroog]

Just nonsensical, as usual.

[Octavius]

huncamunca, nuns and priests are following a religious calling that overrides the command to go forth and multiply and who choose to live a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Clergy that have chosen a vow of abstinence, have done so as a personal sacrifice using their free will.

This wasn't always a case and nuns and priests used to marry. The 'ban' if you like really stems from the days when priesthood had become a family business passed from father to son; this passing down of the family business included the treasures of the church including relics and books. Not all sons went into the family business but they kept the treasures of the church, so they needed to put a stop to it. I don't know why they just didn't ban the inheritance, but there you go.

Personally whilst I can admire their devotion to their faith - and one of my aunts is a roman catholic nun - I do feel generally that it is a somewhat lonely life and unfulfilling in respect of having ones own family. But they do not see it that way as their company is with God and their brethren, and many couples are childless also but not through choice. So to say that a life without children is a wasted life would seem insensitive and in all honesty, untrue.

[syruphead]

huncamunca

whether or not you are a christian you will be helped to answer your q 3) by reading

Approaching the Bible
by Michael Penny

Visit www.obt.org.uk

You will also find the booklet
Jesus - God and Man
by Brian Sherring
useful and on the same site.