Anyone interested in the roots of Christianity should read the link provided by Peace.

Little Hawk - Thank-you for confirming what I believed as a young child - "Her "virginity" was symbolic of the state of her consciousness."

I had no idea that virginity had a physical aspect to it. I truly believed that it meant purity of the spirit. If their was a physical aspect, I took it to mean I should take care to keep my body clean, ie: cleanliness is next to Godliness. What else is a child (who knows nothing about sexual intercourse)to believe? Maybe thats what is meant when Jesus said that to enter the kingdom of heaven, you must be as innocent as a child.

I was also taught that I was not born a sinner because I was conceived in love. I think that fits with the idea of immaculate conception.

As you must now realize, I am not a baptised Christian but since I grew up in a Christian country, I had alot of questions. Thank goodness my parents were able to help me realize that everyone has their own interpretation of the bible and that I only had to listen to my own heart to know the difference between right and wrong.

I was 10 years old when I decided that when I grew up I was going to re-write the bible in plain language that everyone could understand. I think now it will have to wait until I retire. ;>)