Christianity and Islam are the primary religions that believe in a virgin birth. In Christianity, the virgin birth of Jesus is a central tenet, asserting that Jesus was conceived by the Virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. This doctrine is integral to Christian theology, explaining Jesus's unique nature as both human and divine. The Catholic and Orthodox churches firmly uphold the belief in the virgin birth. However, it's important to note that not all denominations within Christianity hold the same level of strict adherence to this doctrine; some denominations allow for more flexibility in interpreting biblical accounts.
Islam, while not focusing on the same level of detail regarding the specifics of the virgin birth, acknowledges Mary (Maryam) as a virgin who gave birth to Jesus (Isa), conceived through the power of God. This is viewed as a miracle and a sign of God's power.
While other religions and mythologies feature stories involving divine births or conceptions outside of traditional sexual reproduction, the Christian and Islamic beliefs in the virgin birth hold distinct theological significance within their respective faiths. Many ancient mythologies include stories of divine births to virgin mothers, but these are generally not central tenets of those faiths as they are in Christianity and Islam.
- Christianity: The virgin birth of Jesus is a core belief, though the level of emphasis varies among different denominations. Catholic and Orthodox churches strongly affirm it. [See Ehrmanblog, Christianity.stackexchange]
- Islam: The virgin birth of Jesus (Isa) is acknowledged as a miraculous event, demonstrating God's power. [See reference on Christian and Islamic doctrine]
- Other Religions: Many ancient cultures had myths involving divine births to virgin mothers, but these are not generally considered central doctrines in those religions today. [See Ehrmanblog, SMH article]