Behold, a virgin shall be with child,... Matthew 1:23
"The number of Christians and religious "nones" who believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ has decreased significantly since 2014, according to a survey released by the Pew Research Center.
Overall, 66 percent of Americans believe Jesus was born to a virgin, down from 73 percent in 2014. While some might expect nonbelievers to wrestle with doubts about the Christmas story as relayed in the Bible, the new research says there are actually signs of growing doubts from Christian groups as well.
The percentage of white mainline Protestants who believe in the virgin birth has declined from 83 percent to 71 percent.
Among religious "nones" (those who identify religiously as atheist, agnostic or "nothing in particular"), the belief in a supernatural virgin birth has declined from 30 percent in 2014 to 17 percent today.
A significant drop was also seen among young adults, ages 18-29, with now only 54 percent affirming a belief in the virgin birth of Jesus. In 2014, 70 percent held that belief.
As for millennials, less than half (44 percent) now believe in all four events of the biblical nativity (virgin birth, angel announcement, wise men's visit, Jesus in manger), a drop from 59 percent in 2014.
Meanwhile, white evangelicals (95 percent) and black Protestants (96 percent) remain firm in their belief of the virgin birth. 83 percent of Catholics agree, down from 86 percent in 2014."
CP
"The number of Christians and religious "nones" who believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ has decreased significantly since 2014, according to a survey released by the Pew Research Center.
Overall, 66 percent of Americans believe Jesus was born to a virgin, down from 73 percent in 2014. While some might expect nonbelievers to wrestle with doubts about the Christmas story as relayed in the Bible, the new research says there are actually signs of growing doubts from Christian groups as well.
The percentage of white mainline Protestants who believe in the virgin birth has declined from 83 percent to 71 percent.
Among religious "nones" (those who identify religiously as atheist, agnostic or "nothing in particular"), the belief in a supernatural virgin birth has declined from 30 percent in 2014 to 17 percent today.
A significant drop was also seen among young adults, ages 18-29, with now only 54 percent affirming a belief in the virgin birth of Jesus. In 2014, 70 percent held that belief.
As for millennials, less than half (44 percent) now believe in all four events of the biblical nativity (virgin birth, angel announcement, wise men's visit, Jesus in manger), a drop from 59 percent in 2014.
Meanwhile, white evangelicals (95 percent) and black Protestants (96 percent) remain firm in their belief of the virgin birth. 83 percent of Catholics agree, down from 86 percent in 2014."
CP