The Curse Placed on Women by Mary's Virginity

I've never heard a good defense of the Bible translation claiming Mary was a virgin. The more accurate translation, in my reading, says Mary was a "young woman." But it matters not what was written in those ancient times or what succeeding scribes may have changed to fit their own preferences. What we know is this: Many men who preach and write about Christianity prefer a "Mary" who is the kind of woman they themselves prefer, young and a virgin. So, the important traits of "Mary" became her youth and virginity. Pox on anyone who says she was middle aged and had older children. These preferred traits assigned to Mary became the hammer men have used against women ever since.

Why was Mary "sin-free?" Because she became pregnant without sex. Thus, sex is sin. That is it's a sin for women, not for men. The sin of women having sex has spilled right over into a host of issues. Women must dress and act in certain ways so they do not arouse sexual interest of men--men are helpless and therefore blameless in matters of sex. I can't tell you how many times I have heard clergy, especially Catholic male clergy, refer to the "feminine" qualities of the woman they are referring to. The woman must behave in a modest way. Her standing is determined by how "pure" she is perceived to be. 

St. Augustine put in place the notion that sex for pleasure detracts from attention to God. Thus, women are allowed sex only when necessary to conceive children. This odd idea has found its way into various branches of Christianity as well as into other religions. I've heard it said many times women should be grateful they are Christians because other religions are even worse for them. This is a good reason to leave religion entirely. 

This veneration of the "virgin" has found its way into so many aspects of Christian beliefs and politics. There remain areas of the faith that condemn careers of wives--this because Mary is only seen as having a specific role to play, giving birth. When it came to preaching, the Bible has an all-male team.  

Mary's virginity even spills over into anti abortion. The sin of sex is the reason a woman is pregnant. Mary did not have sex. These women committed the sin of sex and need to be punished.