A university professor has accused God of sexual misconduct for impregnating Mary, the mother of Jesus, without her 'consent'.
Eric Sprankle, an associate professor of clinical psychology and sexuality studies at Minnesota State University-Mankato, criticized the Biblical Christmas story, saying the Christian deity was 'predatory' .
'The virgin birth story is about an all-knowing, all-powerful deity impregnating a human teen,' Sprankle wrote on
Twitter. 'There is no definition of consent that would include that scenario. Happy Holidays.'
Responding to Sprankle, someone else pointed out that Mary discusses God's plans with the angel Gabriel in the story of the Annunciation and tells him: 'I am the Lord's servant, may your word to me be fulfilled.'
Sprankle, however, remained convinced that Mary could not have consented, given God's vast power over her.
'The biblical god regularly punished disobedience,' Sprankle wrote. 'The power difference (deity vs mortal) and the potential for violence for saying 'no' negates her 'yes.''
'To put someone in this position is an unethical abuse of power at best and grossly predatory at worst,' the professor wrote.
Sprankle's accusation brought a rush of skeptical reactions from other users on Twitter.
'Eric, the entire story involves Mary's consent, and would not have happened without it. The amazing part of the story is God's request for her consent (it was required!). Part of the reason Mary is venerated is that her willing 'yes' to God's request results in our salvation,' another wrote.
'So courageous. Now do Mohammed,' requested another.