A mother has sparked outrage by arguing that the Virgin Mary was 'raped' by God when she conceived the baby Jesus.

Mumsnet user Huppopapa says she is trying to teach her daughters about consent but 'struggles' to understand the Christmas story because of Mary's immaculate conception.

She asked if someone could give her 'an explanation of how God's treatment of the Virgin was in any way acceptable.'

Other users on the forum were shocked by her thoughts, with one questioning her sanity.

Mumsnet user Huppopapa said the Virgin Mary was raped by God when he made her pregnant with Jesus

Huppopapa explained that her daughters' father is religious and so they will be taught the story of Christmas.

The mother said Mary's experience was 'utterly and clearly rape' and questioned how she would teach it to her girls.

She posted: 'The Virgin Mary was made pregnant by a man/God/spirit she had never met and without a single word of consent being spoken or even discussed. To my mind that is utterly and clearly rape.

'I am told it is offensive to say so but I don't hold with protecting the reputation of rapists so I don't really mind.'

The mother said she is going to teach her daughters about rape, which she feels is at odds with the Christmas story

Other Mumsnet users found her comments 'ridiculous', and shared furious responses to the thread.

EastMidsMummy wrote: 'What a load of old b*****ks this all is.'

'Ridiculous post OP and shows a lot of ignorance, highly offensive too,' Bestthings posted.

SaturndayNight commented: 'Tacky attempt to be controversial and have a snipe at Christians preparing for what they consider a holy event. TBH I struggle to believe you are actually a grown-up, let alone a professional person.'

Other users were shocked by her argument, with one person saying 'you are bonkers'

Others pointed out that the Bible reveals that Mary did actually consent to being the mother of Jesus.

SauvignonBlanche posted: '''I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said. Then the angel left her.'' Luke 1:26-38.'

Loonoonow wrote: '''To me be as it pleases god' she said.'' That sounds like consent to me.'