Why Can't Atheists Get into the Jesus Birth Story


There are differing stories of the birth of the Biblical character, Jesus, in different parts of the Bible. In what many consider the most reliable book, the one written closest to the alleged time of Jesus' life, Mark, there is no reference of any kind to his birth. If the book of Mark is the most reliable, the birth story would have been added later to embellish and market Christianity.

We can add to skepticism about the Christmas tale that Paul, allegedly the earliest author to write about Jesus, did not tell the birth story. If neither Paul nor Mark mentioned it and it only appeared later, why did it appear at all?

There were other mythical tales of the virgin birth of what we would call today "superheros". Apparently to enhance the standing of a favorite god among competing gods the virgin birth was a popular literary idea. If you were trying to promote the importance of one god, like Jesus, why would you not grab onto the best techniques available at the time?

One theory is that the unknown author of Luke wanted to best Cesar Augustus, an emperor of Rome. This emperor made the claim a super natural virgin birth. The Luke author thought it would be good to toss in a virgin birth for Jesus.

Different versions had different travel itineraries of Jesus and his parents. In Matthew they fled to Egypt. In Luke they returned to Nazareth. I suppose those in the faith could say they returned to Nazareth then later took a vacation to Rome so both would be correct.

It is understandable why many do not think the manger, wise men and star story is credible.


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