Since everyone knows Jesus never actually existed, how come the Christian religion is still in existence?

Question

No historian or theologian of any kind believes that the Jesus story is true. Rather, it is the result of the coming together of a collection of myths and legends that have been about for 1000's of years.
Yet, despite this, we have the likes of Bush and Blair bashing their bibles and its quite a strange thing. How can so-called normal people live their lives according to a story that has about as much grounding in historical fact as an episode of Star Trek?

Answer 1

Actually, I'm a historian with a doctorate and high honors.
Oh, and I believe in Jesus Christ.
There are many events of the bible that can be prove, including Noah's Flood. Cultures around the world back up stories from the bible.

My questions is, with as much proof as there is of the existence of God and His Manifestations, proof of the truths of the Bible and other Holy Writings, such as the Qru'an and The Hidden Words of Baha'ullah, how can someone NOT believe?

The Chronicler

Answer 2

Before you make such remarks, don't you think it's advisable to do some research???

There is a plentitude of valid, historical documentation outside of the Bible that proves Jesus Christ, the Man, existed. In fact, you would find it very difficult to find a TRUE HISTORIAN who doubts this. What is up for debate is this: who was He? The Son of God? A liar? Or a madman?

While you're researching this subject, instead of relying on your own opinion, you should look up the word "theologian." It's ridiculous to say there are NO theologians who think Jesus existed.

Since you're probably not going to research the extra-Biblical resources yourself, here are some:

1) Jesus was acknowledged to have been a real, living person by Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (referred to as Maimonides), who wrote the "Mishneh Toreh."

2) Flavius Josephus, a Jewish historian who did not believe Jesus was the Messiah, wrote an extensive history of the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (which, by the way, was prophesied by Jesus). He repeatedly mentions the fact that Jesus Christ was a living person.

3) The historian Thallus (writing from 50-70 ad).

4) The historian Phlegon, an eyewitness to certain pre and post-resurrection events.

5) Letter from Pliny the Younger to Trajan (c. 110)

6) Tacitus (Annals, c.115-120)

7) Suetonius (Lives of the Caesars, c. 125)

8) Lucian (mid-2nd century)

9) Galen (c.150; De pulsuum differentiis 2.4; 3.3)

10) Celsus (True Discourse, c.170).

11) Mara Bar Serapion (pre-200?)

And the list goes on and on.

In fact, there's probably more credible evidence that Jesus Christ lived than there is evidence that your great-great grandfather ever lived!

Answer 3

Am not a Christian. But mylord Jesus the Christ did exist in History and his spiritual existence has been believed as if I met him in person. The Holy Books like The Qur'an, the Injil, the Torah, the Psalms mention him directly and the Books of others do so indirectly. These Holy Books are indeed the books of history as well. The word "everyone" smells some ignorance. Some parts of the Jesus story may be myths, as deduced by Biblical scholars... but his existence is not a myth for everyone. Cannot answer on behalf of Bush and Blair. They shall meet own accountability in the eternal life after death on Earth. Historians as well as Theologians believe in the existence of mylord.

Answer 4

Um, I think you'll find that Jesus did exist, they have found records of most of his disciples. Further more, the writings of the apostles refer to him more than a few times. If he didn't exist, why would these people have all come together to preach and write about him?
Whether he was a prophet, a radical leader (revolutionary), or just a great spin doctor we will never know.
I very much doubt that he was the son of any deity, but that doesn't mean he didn't exist.
I think if you did a bit more research you might also find that the coming together of the myths and legends refers to the creation of the Old Testament; and you're absolutely right - Jesus definitely did not exist in the Old Testament, nor does anyone believe or assert that he did.
However, there are more than a few theologians and historians who very definitely believe he existed - just ask the theologians in the Vatican. I think they're pretty much convinced.

Answer 5

Who is everyone? The Bible (including the stories about Christ) is the most historically accurate document of antiquity. Jesus Christ is more historical than Caesar. How can you say He did not exist? We have better manuscripts for the historocity of the Bible than any other document and not just by a little, but by the thousands.

You can choose to believe what you want, but Jesus Christ lived and it is proven by history and documents. The earliest document we have is a copy of the Gospel of John from about 10-20 years after it was originally written. This does not give time for myths and legends to form.

In John, Jesus claims many times to be the Son of God and since it is historically accurate, Jesus had to either be a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. The Christian religion still exist because Jesus is the Son of God and God has always kept His church going and Kingdom advancing.

Answer 6

That's quite an interesting statement you made there, however I would have to disagree. My father is a Doctor of History and he also holds a master's in theological studies. He has many friends who are historians and theologians from universities and research centers around the world. Almost all of his friends believe Jesus existed. It is actually a minority of historians and theologians who don't believe in Jesus. While many historians do not believe all the stories are true about Jesus, and that a lot of the stories may have been imbellished, these people still do believe the man himself existed.

Answer 7

Shouldn't your very question give you the answer? Just why should something you say is so weakly founded not only hang around for 2000 years, but gets stronger. Do you believe in george Washington. You shouldn't! The history books could lie, after all weren't they written by mere men? Look up Simon Greeenleaf. He is still considered the man when it comes to courtroom evidence. He was an athiest and set out to disprove the ressurrection by examining the evidence like it was a courtcase. As I said he 'was' an athiest. History shows that 11 out of 12 of Jesus's apostles were horribly martyred for their faith. For a lie as you say. Don't you think before they were stoned, crucified, burned to death they would have told "the truth". If you believe you first statement about historians you must be very foolish. Look for yourself or go back to star trek.

Answer 8

I believe Jesus may well have existed but we know very little about him personally and clearly he was somebody that inspired others and Paul in particular. Jesus was a Jew (not a Christian) and it was Paul (inspired by Jesus and his oratory and philosophy) that went on to start a church that went on to become a religion.

Why do we have religions you might ask? Because we are social animals that look for religion in all our group activities, hobbies, sport teams, work, obsessions it is part of what we are. Every family has it rituals and values that they believe in. An outsider is somebody who does not understand how to conform to these.

To me Jesus is like the figurehead of a ship, we attribute everything good to the figurehead of the ship that we happen to find ourselves journeying in.

Its interesting that you should choose Star Trek. It has a strong moral message that most people would be happy to buy into and be inspired by to some extent. It has also has overtones that mankind are the 'chosen people' that both Christians and many people in the West are happy to have egos inflated with. The parallels that Star Trek has with Paul's church, to me, are striking.

Answer 9

Jesus did exist, and he was a leader and an icon and a man of great morality. Doubtful that he could do all the miracles and was the son of god etc, but he was a real man.

The Bible is probably an exaggeration of the views of people at the time. The stories have turned to legend, Jesus has become a hero and our need "for something greater than ourselves" has led people to believe in the stories.

Answer 10

All of history is a debate. The only reason we have any clue of what happened is through records kept by the people that where around back in those days. It was never the question of whether Jesus really existed it was if the happenings reported where accurate.

No one can actually say exactly what happened back then unless we were there. It is a matter of faith, and of what you believe to be true. Everyone has there own opinions and we will all know the truth one, that I am sure of.

Answer 11

Your statement regarding historians and theologians would be better posed with some form of fact as I believe this is simply your opinion, which you are entitled to.
And hey just to add a little something - HG Wells wrote science fiction years ago - that is now fact!!! Who's to say that Star Treck doesnt have some truth for the future - lol
But I do feel some hypocracy regarding Blair and Bush policies in relation to their supposed beliefs.