2006-09-28 20:48:05 · 24 answers · asked by Mere Mortal 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yoda is a fictional character created by George Lucas, rather than a mythological figure like Santa Claus. Just wanted to clear that up.
I think it's fine for an atheist to believe and be inspired by a man who may have claimed to be the son of God. The man's positive messages and lessons, should they guide you to do good in this life, are worthwhile to listen to. The stance of most atheists is that this is the one life that you'll get, so you should live it to the fullest rather than spend time worrying about worshipping a god or reaching a state of nirvana or some sort of afterlife. In that respect, you should love Jesus all you want, or not love or hate him either way if you're so inclined.
2006-09-28 20:57:05 · answer #1 · answered by drunksage 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay so the jolly dude in the red coat was a Coke advertising campaign and Yoda was whathisface's capitalist -corporate brainchild - how exactly is that like a poor Jewish carpenter messiah? I'd say not at all.
I don't believe there is a God of any sort but I think Jesus was an interesting historical figure who lots of people built major religious edifices around and he would not be impressed with the historical or the current state of affairs in most versions of the practise of the Christian faith. Except maybe the Quakers. I wouldn't say I love the man, or his ideas. How can I? You can only love that which you know and can relate to, and I do mean in a physical way too...(not sexually, get out of the gutter!)
Your question is a bit off - who decides what is OK? What does OK mean here? Seeking approval seems a weird thing...what are you really asking? I don't think you are asking it yet...
2006-09-28 21:11:58 · answer #2 · answered by radtam55 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To answer your question, if by loving Jesus you mean, in a way that you love Yoda and Santa Clause, I'd say, sure, Yes. Jesus represents very good ideals, better than even Yoda or Santa.
But Jesus was a REAL historical figure (whether you believe His claims to divinity or not). There are positive accounts of His life (the Gospels) as well as hostile witnesses (such as non-Biblical, non-Christian historians like Porphyry, Celsus, Josephus, Pliny) who confirm that the New Testament writers wrote truthfully about the events they observed about Christ.
2006-09-29 00:36:50 · answer #3 · answered by Sudy Nim 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Other historical texts besides the Bible mention Jesus. So, he isn't a myth. He did exist. Santa Claus didn't exist and neither did Yoda. Your comparison is poor. You don't have to believe Jesus was God, but at least be honest that the man existed.
2006-09-28 20:52:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sure it's ok! Just like you can love Santa without believing that he really exists. Try to learn positive messages from him as you would from anybody you love. (From Santa for example, you could learn love for children, the happiness one gets from giving gifts, wonderful family feelings, etc.)
Your first positive lesson though, should be to respect the religion of other people and not to hurt their feelings (by calling their god a myth).
By the way, I do not believe in Jesus as a god and have never even heard of Yoda. But I try to respect and love others as my religion teaches me.
2006-09-28 21:05:20 · answer #5 · answered by A R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess so. If you can not believe in Santa and yet love him or Yoda and still adore him. But, given the size of this universe we are a part of, why say that only what we can see and understand shall be believed when probably we see and understand a small percentage of what there is to know?
2006-09-28 20:56:48 · answer #6 · answered by Jimguyy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can find a copy of Edwin Abbott's The Kernel and The Husk, I think you'd enjoy it. He was a 19th-century theologian, and that particular book is a collection of letters he wrote to someone about Christianity. He made the absolutely wonderful remark at some point in there that one doesn't have to believe in Jesus as God to love him; and that in fact, these people are serving him too in their own way and should if anything else be given greater respect for living a good life with no hope of a reward, as opposed to the motivation of heaven.
2006-09-28 20:56:01 · answer #7 · answered by angk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
traditionally, we DO understand, that Jesus did stay. even nonetheless, we nonetheless do not understand, if he rather became into the son of a god and if he rather did have all those "particular" or "magical" skills. And nicely, attempting to teach that he rather became into the son of a god, born to a girl who by no potential had sexual touch to a guy in her entire life - is exceptionally very reminiscent of attempting to teach the life of Santa Claus. I mean, we can't be constructive that Santa Claus rather would not exist, however the possibility that he does is very small. yet that's not probable that unfavorable. Cuz in case you will possibly should have self assurance in him (I mean in Jesus) and function faith, in simple terms decide for it. What bothers me lots, lots extra, (and that i'm sorry if i did not seem suitable at your photograph)... yet is this the pope?? i've got not got something against christians, yet I DO have a looot against the pope. We surely do not prefer some guy (who as quickly as belonged to the Hitler-young toddlers) babbeling that making use of condoms is a few thing evil. We now stay interior the 21st century and all of us understand concerning to the prospect of AIDS.
2016-10-15 08:14:53 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am usually very grounded in the concept of equality....but your question has me a bit rattled.
Yoda is clearly a character in a Movie. Santa Claus is obviously a ridiculous concept. But, are you seriously trying to compare Jesus Christ with fictional characters?
It does not seem very likely that a Spiritual Master, could be reduced to a character in a movie? I am sorry, but I do think that was a rather far-fetched stretch of your imagination.
Please have more respect for the Spiritualist who taught us and you....that love is the best gift of all. Unless you are willing to reduce yourself to a fictional character as well....with no love in your heart at all? Rather unlikely!
2006-09-28 21:06:08 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure..loving the concept represented by JC, Yoda, Santa Clause etc. is common. Just because you may not believe that Yoda can actually lift (he's a puppet, I know) a spaceship from a swamp using only his mind doesn't mean that you can't love the obvious idea of "mind over matter".
2006-09-28 20:55:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋