The Importance of Saying Yes to Sex and Pregnancy

Critics say that even if someone verbally consents to sex or pregnancy, they may not be free to say no. This is why it's often illegal for therapists to have sexual relations with their clients and employers to havesexual relations with their employees. And so the weaker party may only say yes because they feel like they can't say no to the stronger party. For a first century Jew like Mary, she would have known from scripture that when people like Jonah questioned God or refused, they were punished. She might have also worried about feeling guilty if saying no would delay God's help for her people. But God is not a rapist in any way.