There was an absence of accurate information from the press and the government regarding virgin birth. [As part of an overall story by which people would be sent to hell for failing to believe] virgin birth tapped people’s fears. Circulating the story of the virgin birth helps people bond. Unfortunately, they often bonded against people who didn’t believe in virgin birth, Those who proclaim belief in virgin birth tend lose interest in helping or tolerating non-believers. The doctrine of virgin birth places the non-believers in the category of “them” versus “us” (who publicly proclaim the truth of virgin birth).

Having written this, I’m now wondering whether virgin birth is the best example. Christians don’t actually emphasize the literal truth of it; for some it is a mere curiosity not essential to more central Christian beliefs. Perhaps the resurrection of Jesus would be more to the point.

At bottom, I couldn’t resist the parallels.