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The Immaculate Conception is often erroneously linked to the Conception of Jesus rather than Mary.  Jesus would have had no need for an Immaculate Conception, assuming his deity.  According to this doctrine, Mary, being human, was given the grace of perfection before her birth so as to serve as the vessel of the Lord.

The Immaculate Conception is often erroneously linked to the Conception of Jesus rather than Mary.  Jesus would have had no need for an Immaculate Conception, assuming his deity.  According to this doctrine, Mary, being human, was given the grace of perfection before her birth so as to serve as the vessel of the Lord.

The medieval Catholic philosopher and theologian, [[Duns Scotus]], famously argued for this doctrine as follows: ''Potuit, decuit, ergo fecit'', which is Latin for ''God could do it, it was appropriate that God do it, therefore God did it''. Scotus argued that since God could have caused Mary to be miraculously conceived free of original stain, and it was fitting for God to do so, therefore God must have so done.

The medieval Catholic philosopher and theologian, [[Duns Scotus]], famously argued for this doctrine as follows: ''Potuit, decuit, ergo fecit'', which is [[Latin]] for ''God could do it, it was appropriate that God do it, therefore God did it''. Scotus argued that since God could have caused Mary to be miraculously conceived free of original stain, and it was fitting for God to do so, therefore God must have so done.

[[Protestant]] positions on this topic differ. They believe Mary to be a normal human being, a sinner, who was used by God to bring Christ into the world. This is a reasonable point of view given the lack of Biblical support for Mary being "exempt from all stain of original sin." The primary Biblical evidence cited by Catholics is the passaage in which the angel announces to Mary that she would be the mother of the Savior and uses these words, "Hail, Mary, full of grace...."

[[Protestant]] positions on this topic differ. They believe Mary to be a normal human being, a sinner, who was used by God to bring Christ into the world. This is a reasonable point of view given the lack of Biblical support for Mary being "exempt from all stain of original sin." The primary Biblical evidence cited by Catholics is the passaage in which the angel announces to Mary that she would be the mother of the Savior and uses these words, "Hail, Mary, full of grace...."