Virgin birth - Historum

AAS · December 10th, 2012, 11:54 PM

Virgin birth. Was the basis of the virgin births in some religions based on actual accounts of conception without intercourse? Or, more likely, A lie about an afair that kind of got a little out of hand?

Bharata · December 11th, 2012, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAS

Virgin birth. Was the basis of the virgin births in some religions based on actual accounts of conception without intercourse? Or, more likely, A lie about an afair that kind of got a little out of hand?

Maybe no one knows who the culprit was

**Naomasa298** · December 11th, 2012, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAS

Virgin birth. Was the basis of the virgin births in some religions based on actual accounts of conception without intercourse? Or, more likely, A lie about an afair that kind of got a little out of hand?

IF virgin birth were possible (it is in some species, called

Partheogenesis

), the resulting offspring would be female.

M.S. Islam · December 11th, 2012, 12:52 AM

If there were a natural explanation for it, it would no longer be a miracle. Miracle, by definition, is something beyond natural laws. Virgin birth was a miraculous event.

**Naomasa298** · December 11th, 2012, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.S. Islam

If there were a natural explanation for it, it would no longer be a miracle. Miracle, by definition, is something beyond natural laws. Virgin birth was a miraculous event.

Or simply a lie.

M.S. Islam · December 11th, 2012, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naomasa298

Or simply a lie.

To some, yeah, sure.

**AlpinLuke** · December 11th, 2012, 12:59 AM

A note.

Today it would be possible: a woman can clone herself using some cells taken from her own body.

I doubt that in age of Mary [Mariam] cloning a human being was among the biological capabilities of the Priests of the Temple.

P.S. using suitable techs after the conception it would be even possible that a woman clones herself .... procreating a male individual.

**Sicknero** · December 11th, 2012, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpinLuke

A note.

Today it would be possible: a woman can clone herself using some cells taken from her own body.

I doubt that in age of Mary [Mariam] cloning a human being was among the biological capabilities of the Priests of the Temple.

P.S. using suitable techs after the conception it would be even possible that a woman clones herself .... procreating a male individual.

But by Christian accounts Mary did actually give birth, so cloning is not an explanation even if possible.

Anyway to address the OP... Virgin births are not unique to Christianity but feature in a lot of myths from different religions and cultures, as you would expect. Or I would at least. They mostly feature a god-type who 'enters the womb' by mystical means without intercourse.

Ascribing this to lies about affairs seems to miss the point a bit.

**AlpinLuke** · December 11th, 2012, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sicknero

But by Christian accounts Mary did actually give birth, so cloning is not an explanation even if possible.

Anyway to address the OP, yes. Virgin births are not unique to Christianity but feature in a lot of myths from different religions and cultures, as you would expect. Or I would at least.

Sure, this is our belief about the birth of Jesus [I'm Christian].

For accuracy, remember that also Islam teaches that Jesus [Isa in the Kuran] was born from Maryam when she was still virgin.

from the Sura of Maryam [19]

Quote:

19 ...
He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy."

She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?"

He said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.' "

**Naomasa298** · December 11th, 2012, 02:16 AM

Did Jewish couples not consummate their marriages in those days then?