Chen Zhaoji’s Virgin Mary Surrogate Mother Analogy Sparks Controversy
Lawmaker Sparks Controversy With Virgin Mary Surrogate Comment
Taipei,Taiwan – A Taiwanese lawmaker‘s controversial comparison of the Virgin Mary to a surrogate mother has ignited a firestorm of criticism and prompted a public apology.
People’s Party lawmaker Chen Zhaoji made the remarks during a legislative committee meeting on December 5th, 2024, while discussing proposed amendments to Taiwan’s artificial insemination law. The meeting focused on the recent decision by the National health Service to decouple surrogacy from the legislation,a move that has drawn both support and opposition.
Chen argued against the separation, stating that surrogacy is intrinsically linked to in vitro fertilization, a technology used in both procedures. He then went on to cite a conversation with a Christian who described the Virgin Mary as a surrogate mother becuase she conceived through divine intervention rather then sexual intercourse.
“A Christian once told me that the Virgin Mary was a surrogate mother as she didn’t give birth through sexual intercourse,” Chen said. ”Believers see her as essentially a surrogate mother of God’s child.”
This statement immediately sparked outrage. Democratic Progressive party lawmaker Lin Yijin criticized Chen’s comment on Facebook, stating that the virgin Mary’s pregnancy was a matter of faith, rooted in the concept of the Holy Spirit, and not comparable to the medical practice of surrogacy. Another DPP lawmaker, Wang Dingyu, also condemned Chen’s remarks, noting that they had previously angered religious groups.
Facing mounting criticism, Chen issued a public apology on Facebook later that evening.
“I made inappropriate and wrong metaphors without understanding the teachings of the Bible,” Chen wrote.”I offer my deepest apologies to friends who were hurt and offended by me.”
He emphasized his support for the benevolent spirit of surrogacy,which he believes is endorsed by many religions,and pledged to be more careful with his words and actions in the future.The incident highlights the complex and sensitive nature of the surrogacy debate in Taiwan, where religious beliefs, ethical considerations, and legal frameworks intersect.
Lawmaker’s Virgin Mary Remark Ignites Controversy in Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan – A Taiwanese lawmaker’s controversial comparison of the Virgin Mary to a surrogate mother has sparked outrage and prompted a public apology.
People’s Party lawmaker Chen Zhaoji made the comments during a legislative committee meeting on December 5th, 2024, while debating proposed amendments to Taiwan’s artificial insemination law. The meeting centered around the National Health Services’ recent decision to decouple surrogacy from the legislation, a move that has drawn both support and opposition.
During the discussion, Chen argued against the separation, stating that surrogacy is inherently linked to in vitro fertilization. He then cited a conversation with a Christian who characterized the Virgin Mary as a surrogate mother becuase she conceived through divine intervention rather than sexual intercourse.
“A Christian once told me that the Virgin Mary was a surrogate mother as she didn’t give birth through sexual intercourse,” Chen said.”Believers see her as essentially a surrogate mother of god’s child.”
This statement instantly provoked strong criticism. Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Lin yijin condemned Chen’s comment on Facebook, asserting that the virgin Mary’s pregnancy was a matter of faith based on the concept of the Holy Spirit and not comparable to the medical practice of surrogacy. Another DPP lawmaker, Wang Dingyu, also denounced Chen’s remarks, noting that they had previously angered religious groups.
Facing mounting backlash, Chen issued a public apology on Facebook later that evening.
“I made inappropriate and wrong metaphors without understanding the teachings of the Bible,” Chen wrote. “I offer my deepest apologies to friends who were hurt and offended by me.”
He emphasized his support for the benevolent spirit of surrogacy, which he believes is endorsed by many religions, and pledged to be more cautious with his words and actions in the future.
The incident underscores the complex and sensitive nature of the surrogacy debate in Taiwan, where religious beliefs, ethical considerations, and legal frameworks converge.