User:Hammy64000/Patriarchy
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The mythology of many other cultures and religions includes stories of miraculous births, for example the births of Buddha, born from married parents, and Mithra, formed out of solid rock. Some argue that since these were not the result of virginal conception they are not comparable to the Christian story. Another approach acknowledges the similarities and attempts to explain them. Criticism exists within the Christian tradition as well, often based on the conviction that a "Biblical historical critical" approach to theology will lead to a better understanding of the Christian faith.
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In the attempt to explain parallels between miraculous births in myth and religion, the focus is on stories that have been proposed in the past as actual sources of the Christian story of the birth of Jesus. The old "history of religions" approach concluded that Christianity “borrowed” from earlier traditions. According to Unitarian (see Unitarianism) Thomas Boslooper, this approach has been misleading.
According to another view, there is a relationship between the traditions; not in the details, but in certain grand themes such as the anticipation of an exceptional child who will bring peace, relief from oppression and abundance in nature, among other benefits. In many traditions, the child will usher in a new age. [1] The emblem of mother and child has been part of high religious thought for at least 5000 years. Similarities between the stories of miraculous birth have included signs and wonders in nature, miraculous stories of conception and birth, and potential danger to the child.