People today have never met Jesus and could not be influenced by his personal charisma. So why do you think people follow Jesus today? Also, what about all the other charismatic cult leaders, people like David Koresh and Charles Manson... the following of these people quickly dies away after they die. Why does Jesus's influence live on?
2006-07-07 15:59:16 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
'Salvation Cults' and messiahs were a dime-a-dozen in the Middle East around that time. Some of them were attempting to 'update' Judaism on the basis of new (then modern) Greek philosophical ideas, such as from the Stoics and the Cynics. Modern biblical scholarship makes a strong case that the 'Jesus Christ' that was being preached had nothing to do with a person... it had to do with a reinterpretation of Hebrew scripture, under the influence of Greek philosophy... and 'revelations' that were received from 'God' in the process of this reinterpretation... consistent with the Greek idea of 'Logos'. In the light of those kinds of arguments, 'charisma' could have nothing to do with it.
With regard to why people follow Christianity today... they had the good luck that Constantine decided to be their sponsor and protector while he was engaged in his quest to become the emperor of Rome. There were a lot of Christians holding posts in the civil service in Rome, as well as underground groups of Christian of rabble-rousers... a ready-made 'fifth column'. After Constantine succeeded, he made Christianity the 'official' religion of Rome... and the Christians... that is the particular cult faction that enjoyed his patronage... used the power of their patron to suppress all dissent. Over the next few hundred years, the Christians basically destroyed everything tangible that did not meet with their approval, and killed off the opposition. Over all of the Roman Empire, the choices were essentially 'conform or die'. It was sort of like the Borg, on Star Trek: "You will be assimilated. Resistence is futile."
And THAT's why people follow Jesus to this day; the world has not yet learned to resist and overcome Christianity's mind-control techniques, which were refined and perfected for almost 2,000 years.
2006-07-07 16:28:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You asked two separate questions. Why do they follow him today? They don't. Why does Jesus's influence live on? Because shallow minded people who are afraid that there is nothing in the afterlife have to cling on to some sort of ideology. Many cultures believe in some kind of creator/afterlife due to the fact that it is hard to accept that this is all there is. There is comfort in believing there is a better place after death. Throughout crappy human history countless throngs of people have been downtrodden by kings, emperors, generals etc, their daily lives were full of misery. It seemed so unfair to lead a good life when the king comes around takes what little you have and gives you nothing in return. You must believe that they will be punished for their bad deed somehow. Oh, here comes the church, well if you lead a good life (insert all kinds of weird spiritual practices here) and you will be rewarded with the kingdom of heaven (or 40 virgins) and the bad people will go to hell. That's a nice thought, kinda helps them get through the day. Too bad its false.
2006-07-07 16:16:51 · answer #2 · answered by darkdynamite77 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you speaking about the authentic Jesus Christ of the Holy Bible? no more advantageous than Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Taoists, Hindus, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Emergents, submit-Moderns, Humanists, Evolutionists, Scientologists, seventh Day Adventists, Cathoics, Pagans, and regrettably, maximum professing Christians will. Psalm fifty 3:2-3 Luke 18:19 Acts 4:12 JOHN 14:6
2016-10-14 05:52:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They follow a twisted version of what some writers said he was.
Then they twist THAT to ignore the fact that jesus said to help the poor so they all feel better about driving big cars, voting republican, and screwing the poor while making sure their kids go to private school.
2006-07-07 16:20:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
People do not follow Jesus, people are controlled by religious leaders, and religious leaders do not follow Jesus, they follow their interests. Charisma has nothing to do with religion.
2006-07-07 16:04:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's got to be the guilt trip.
Some guy gets himself hung on a cross and were supposed to swallow some BS story about self sacrifice for our sins
- OH COME ON !!!
2006-07-07 16:07:58 · answer #6 · answered by lilith 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are led to believe in the mythology and promises of him. And they are easily led.
2006-07-07 16:04:48 · answer #7 · answered by DR 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are brainwashed.
2006-07-07 16:05:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋