I heard that ancient myths and religions where the basis of most modern religion. I think it was Mithra that the Jesus myth came from but I not sure.
2006-08-24 09:27:22 · 14 answers · asked by PØstapØc 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Most scholars, even non-Christian ones, will tend to agree that Jesus (Yeshua ben Yosef) was a real flesh-and-blood person. However, a valid question is raised regarding whether the accounts of the Gospels are derived from the cult of Mithras (as known in the Roman world).
There seems to be a lot of similarities. Both of them tended to be mystery religions, meaning that there was knowledge available only to members. Both of them used the ceremony of baptism. Both faiths centred on a divine saviour figure born of a virgin. It does seem that the number of similarities is too many to be coincidence. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraism for more info.)
However, the question becomes which faith would have more likely influenced the other? Even though the cult of Mithras was older than Christianity be a few hundred years, its origins were from outside of the Roman Empire in modern Iran. As Mithraism travelled west to the Empire, it is likely to have had some cross-contamination with the Christian faith. Scholars are divided by which faith did the primary influencing.
My guess is that most of the history in the Gospels that are consistent with each other was of Christian origin, such as the death and resurrection of Jesus, while those that tend to differ from Gospel to Gospel (such as the nativity stories of Matthew and Luke, which are impossible to reconcile as they were at least nine years apart) might has the cult of Mithras as an influence. It's little wonder that Mithras was considered to have been born on December 25.
In other words, Christians need not fear that their faith is based on a religion outside of Judaism in terms of the really important stuff. Christianity survived while Mithraism didn't. It certainly helped Christianity to realise that women could be important part of the Church which Mithraism was exclusive to men only.
Hope that helps.
2006-08-24 18:57:55 · answer #1 · answered by Ѕємι~Мαđ ŠçїєŋŧιѕТ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your question assumes that Jesus was a myth. Since there is ample evidence of his existence, life, ministry, death, and yes even Resurrection, I think it would be intellectually dishonest to say that Jesus was a myth.
The figure Mithra comes from Zoroastrianism, a Persian religion which originated around 500 BC I think. Many people have tried to make the connection between the mystic religion and Christianity's view of Jesus, but after some study I came to the conclusion that there was nothing really there. The Bible speaks of the events surrounding Jesus some 1000 years before his birth, starting as early as Genesis. If anything, I would say Zoroastrianism came from the Hebrews, probably after the Medo-Persian conquest of Babylon.
2006-08-24 16:41:52 · answer #2 · answered by Tim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Mithra or Mitra (Sun-God) is believed to be a Mediator between God and man, between the Sky and the Earth. wow...that is a huge stretch of the imagination to buy into that. Try the Bible...lots of history and evidence to back that one up... If I am right in believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God- then I go to Heaven forever....if I am wrong and when all is said and done it proves to be a myth..then I have lead a good life...
2006-08-24 16:39:56 · answer #3 · answered by Latte2Go 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No Jesus was and is not a myth. I don't know who Mithra is, but I do know that Jesus' story did not come from her. His Father(God) really did send him to earth. He really did live as a man for thirty plus years, he died on the cross for our sins and the sins of many, and he died, was buried, and rose three days later. And now, Jesus really is in heaven, sitting on the right hand of God. Jesus, certainly IS a real person.
2006-08-24 17:45:13 · answer #4 · answered by Jazzy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Jesus Christ was not based on Mithra anymore than the Buddha was reincarnated as the Michelin Man. Jesus Christ truly did live; otherwise the Christian religion/faith would not have lasted as long as it has.
2006-08-24 16:36:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be. There are many similarities (born from a virgin, savior of mankind, etc.).
The evidence shows that Jesus probably did exist but the question is rather if he was divine. One could infer that the concept of Jesus being divine came from the story of Mithra but this is not conclusive.
2006-08-24 16:37:38 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Close. Jesus Christ was based on Mothra, and will come back as a giant larva before transforming into a giant, colorful moth.
Oh, and he'll have a couple of tiny but kinda sexy Japanese babes with him for the sex.
2006-08-24 16:52:01 · answer #7 · answered by Azzurri In 06 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel very sad for you that you think Jesus is a myth. I will pray for you and pray that Jesus comes into your heart and saves you from an eternity in hell.
2006-08-24 16:35:40 · answer #8 · answered by JesusisGodsson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are right. The bible was written many years after the death of the person they referred to as jesus. Who knows how far the truths were stretched in that time
2006-08-24 16:38:32 · answer #9 · answered by keepergary 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really. Jesus was the result of prophecies that have existed in the Bible for thousands of years (read the book of Isaiah).
2006-08-24 16:57:24 · answer #10 · answered by chrstnwrtr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋