When our cell alarm goes off, others will ask,
"Y" do you pray The Angelus?
If Muslims pray multiple times a day, what do Christian do?
The Angelus! What a great evangelization opportunity ...
Yes, virgin births do happen in nature.
"A Virgin birth is impossible," atheists say. This is not true.
- Human males are XY, females are XX.
- Science says every human male gets their Y-chromosome from their biological father. No woman produces a Y-chromosome naturally.
- Even in cases of virgin birth in animals, only females are born. Parthenogenesis or unfertilized eggs develop into organisms, but produce only females due to genomic imprinting. Therefore, natural virgin births are possible.
- The Y-chromosome carries the 106 protein-coding genes responsible for male development, transmitted exclusively through the paternal line. Therefore, a virgin birth of a male is genetically impossible within the natural law. But what of supernatural law?
Science is defined as observations of natural law.
Where natural law ends, supernatural law begins. Supernatural law is how we explain all immeasurable things i.e. miracles. Supernatural laws prove God's existence. For example, the Incarnation supports that God exists, God creates, and God saves--through a virgin birth and a Y-chromosome.
- Jesus lived on earth as a human being. Non-religious writings evidence his time on earth. These writings are from non-believers who had nothing to gain.
- Our Church says His birth is not a biological accident; it was a Divine act of creation. If Mary conceived Him virginally, there was no human sperm.
- Our Creed says Jesus had no human father. If Jesus was biologically male, He needed a Y-chromosome. There is no chromosomal mechanism, no molecular pathway, no genetic blueprint for how this miracle happened. It was a supernatural event, the Holy Spirit provided.
- Adam (and Eve) had no biological parents. Yet Adam possessed a complete human genome including a Y-chromosome. God provided.
Scripture. Where in the bible, does it mention a virgin conception? These words comprise the prayer said 3x a day.
- Luke 1:35 Angel Gabriel to Mary: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you,"
- Luke 1:38 Mary's response: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word."
- Matthew 1:18 "Mary was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit before she and Joseph came together."
Catholic Teaching. What does our church say?
- CCC 496 - "From the first formulations of her faith, the Church has confessed that Jesus was conceived solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, affirming also the corporeal aspect of this event"
- CCC 464 - "Jesus Christ is true God and true man; the incarnation means the eternal Son assumed a human nature from Mary by a unique creative act of the Holy Spirit."
- CCC 456 - "The Word became flesh for us men and for our salvation" - virginal conception protects the truth that Jesus is not merely another human teacher but the eternal Son taking flesh."
Early Church & Councils.
- St. Ignatius of Antioch (110 AD) "Jesus was of the race of David according to the flesh, Son of God according to the will and power of God and truly born of a virgin."
- Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) Christ is perfect in divinity and perfect in humanity; consubstantial with the Father as to divinity, consubstantial with us as to humanity, "like us in all things but sin."
- Lateran Synod (649 AD) Mary "conceived without seed and incorruptibly bore Jesus, her virginity remaining indestructible."
Conclusion.
Christianity does not claim a rare biological trick; since there ARE virgin births in nature.
Our faith is based on a God with the power to create and to save.
For those who will not engage, ask "what if you are wrong?"
Sources.
8 animals that have virgin births | Live Science
How to pray the Angelus | Pray with Us
Where Did Jesus Get His Y-Chromosome? | YouTube