As for the immaculate conception, well now here we have a number of complications. Not the least of which is that sex is just a bit evil, which is why Jesus, that most perfect of all fellows, simply had to come about without it. Hence, immaculate. Unblemished, unspotted, unsullied by those disgusting sperms. A very convenient way of setting up a belief system that is largely predicated on making people feel guilty, and what better to make them feel guilty about than bonking!   Fantastic instrument of control! Christ, man, why can't you see that! Of course, the other complication is that the immaculate conception is possible by miracle only. Another great handle for the purveyors of the faith. Imbue the thing with guilt and make it miraculous to boot. A superb double whammy! No wonder it's ex cathedra! Joseph must have been incredibly gullible, or a complete wimp, or, as I suspect, both. The archetypal cuckold! He'd have been better off had he never existed. Which he probably didn't.