If ther was somehow scientific proof that Mary was not a virgin when she bore Jesus, would you still belive?

Question

I am a follower of Jesus, i'm just wondering...

I would. I once listened to a rabbi speak about how "virgin" is those times could also mean someone who bore a child after their first time of having sex. I still would think Jesus was an awesome man and i would would to model my life after him.

and btw, there are historical accounts of Jesus's existence, it's not really a question of whether he was alive or not. More of if he was a prophet or the son of god, or just another guy.

Answer 1

I'm agnostic, I don't believe to begin with.

There are many "liberal" or "progressive" Christians who have adopted Christianity because they believe it provides the best moral and spiritual model for their lives. They may also enjoy the social aspects of church and/or the rituals performed there.

But . . .

. . . They don't believe in the supernatural. No virgin birth, no resurrection, no raising the dead, no water into wine, no parting the sea. They may even not believe in God, though they're likely to reserve judgment on that point.

Christianity can offer a sense of belonging and community. Christianity can offer comfort and solace, when needed. Christianity offers a role model, in Jesus. One doesn't have to abandon logic and suspend disbelief to be a Christian (though there are, of course, MANY who would disagree). One doesn't have to believe in the impossible or in the supernatural.

All one needs to do is make a choice with whatever level of commitment one chooses.
:-)

Answer 2

I find these kinds of questions a bit odd, to tell you the truth. Its like asking, "If black was white, what colour shoes would you be wearing?"

Short of a spy cam recording from first century Galilee from Mary's bedroom, there isn't going to be any "scientific evidence." As such, something like this does lie - and remain - in the realm of religious faith. I don't have to worry about whether there is some underlying scientific proof or disproof, because it is just not there to be had, either way.

Trying to imagine what it would be like if there was is besides the point - for that universe we'd be living in would be so radically different from our own, in terms of the human history of the last 2,000 years - that we would likely not even be here to wonder about it.

Answer 3

People just don't understand that the whole "virgin birth" thing was a MIRACLE. The Bible never says that virgins giving birth is a normal thing. That's why if it's true, it's extraordinary.

Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I'd still believe, but it would call everything I believed into question. I'd have to examine my faith carefully...but I think in the end I'd still be following Jesus to the best of my ability.

Answer 4

Of course! There is scientific proof that Mary was not a virgin when she bore Jesus -- the proof is that she bore Jesus! If you believe that Jesus was born of Mary, then you must also believe that she was not a virgin! The only means of becoming pregnant 2000 years ago was sex. Artificial insemination didn't exist. If you accept the premise that Mary became pregnant, then you must also accept that she became pregnat through the only means available. Therefore she had sex and was not a virgin.

Incidentally, owning an old book that says she was a virgin does not constitute any kind of "proof". I happen to own a copy of an old book that says the world is flat. The world is obviously not flat even though the book says it is. Mary was obviously not a pregnant virgin even though the book says she was.

Answer 5

You know that the first followers of Yeshua in Jerusalem never taught that Yeshua was born of a virgin? In fact in their scripture, which was the Hebrew Version of Matthew there was no birth narrative, it started much like Mark Gospel did. It's funny isn't it? Many Scholars (although they are wrong, since the Hebrew Version of Matthew is the oldest) say that the Mark Gospel is the oldest canonical gospel in the bible, yet it does not have a virgin birth narrative. Also Paul never once mentions a virgin birth in any place in his epistles whatsoever, he seems to not even know about it.

The FIRST followers of Yeshua under his brother James/Yavoc the Just in Jerusalem never held the virgin birth, in fact they recorded that Yeshua was born at his baptism, they counted that as his birth of the virgin, the Holy Spirit. And at the Baptism narrative this is the historically proven true words that were spoken from the many Christians wittings that pre-date the 4th century, "And lo' a voice came upon him, "Thou art my son, TODAY have I begotten thee."

This was there belief, "...was justified by fulfilling the Law. He was the Christ of God, since not one of the rest of mankind had observed the Law completely. Had any one else fulfilled the commandments of the Law, he would have been the Christ." Hence "when Ebionites thus fulfill the law, they are able to become Christs, for they assert that our Lord Himself was a man in like sense with all humanity."

And...

“supernatural union of a man and God... In their eyes, Jesus of Nazareth was a mere mortal, the legitimate son of Joseph and Mary: but he was the best and wisest of the human race, selected as the worthy instrument to restore upon earth the worship of the true and supreme Deity. When he was baptized in the Jordan, the Christ, the first of the aeons, the Son of God himself, descended on Jesus in the form of a dove, to inhabit his mind, and direct his actions during the allotted period of his ministry” (Gibbon; The Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire, V.4, P.366).

So being a True Follower of Yeshua, I don't think it requires you believe in the illogical virgin birth, but quite the opposite.

Answer 6

Yes. Keep in mind that Jesus was not the only person in the ancient world for whom a divine conception was asserted. The same was said, for example, of Caesar Augustus.

"Whether taken literally or metaphorically, a divine conception was [the ancients'] way of asserting an individual's transcendental character and extraordinary gifts to the human world. We may, of course, deny that ancient explanation for extraordinary individuality but we must also admit that we moderns have no better one to take its place... But whether taken literally or metaphorically, historically or parabolically, any claim of a divine conception - whether from virginal, barren, or aged parents - claims that this child has brought or will bring extraordinary or transcendental benefits to the human race. And therefore the proper question is not about the biology of the mother, but the destiny of the child. What is that destiny and, once you know it, are you willing to commit your life to it? To Caesar Augustus, for example, or to Jesus Christ?"

Peace to you.

Answer 7

After reading the answers here I have to say this. Regardless of what you might think. Mary was unknown to man. Meaning to say that she never had sex.
AND ..
Even if you could prove otherwise, and Jesus was still resurrected on the third day would it make that much difference to you?
Ultimately it makes NO difference because the truth is in the Bible.

Answer 8

a properly-common custom says she became into born in Jerusalem, the daughter of Joachim and Ann. different early components say Mary became into born in Nazareth. there is even an historical checklist that factors to Sepphoris, a city some miles from Nazareth, as her birthplace. Map (15 ok gif) everywhere she became into born, Mary's existence likely opened up in the staunch Jewish contract of Nazareth in the hills of Galilee, no longer a ways from the important caravan routes linking Egypt and Mesopotamia. The Jews there have been a stable, physically powerful human beings. The hill climate became into dry and wholesome. And even with the indisputable fact that the land commonly lacked water and no one knew from 12 months to the subsequent if sufficient rain could fall or if invading locusts or field mice could destroy the plant life -- nevertheless, dealing with uncertainty only made the persons of Galilee extra stressful-working and close-knit. suffering for a residing deepened their non secular spirit. They discovered you may desire to count on God continually. there are various web content that have documentation on the data stored at that factor.those human beings DID exist, its a actuality.

Answer 9

The "scientific proof" would have little affect on me. Anything that contradicts the Bible is false. Also, Yeshua (Jesus) was more than just a "great man." He is the savior, the Messiah, the Son of G-d and G-d in the flesh (second man in the trinity).

Answer 10

Yes, although it is highly likely that she was a virgin; there is also the contention that "virgin" meant a young woman. Look at the morals of the mid-east today; the single women there are more than likely to be virgin because of the social/sexual taboos, I would venture that it was even more true in Biblical days.