The Encyclopedia Britannica recognizes Him to be a historical figure whose "teachings and deeds are recorded in the New Testament," born c. 6-4 BC, Bethlehem and died c. 30 AD, Jerusalem.
So why do some people believe that Jesus is a mythological figure who never existed?
2006-10-13 12:17:04 · 15 answers · asked by sweet_unicorn 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
rich k's response is interesting.
How, then, could an entirely obscure man be held at least as aprophet and founder of one the world's largest religions by millions, and at most, be upheld as God the Son by perhaps even more millions throughout history, which includes great men and women of the past like Thomas Jefferson?
2006-10-13 14:21:31 · update #1
...and Helen Keller?
2006-10-13 14:23:09 · update #2
Because they get confused...they want to deny the fact that he was the son of God, but they end up denying his existence all together.
2006-10-13 12:22:31 · answer #1 · answered by James P 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
If that is the only reference you looked up, then that is no better than relying on the bible for factual accurate information.
EB was first published in the 18th century...which was when that article was written. While the EB has "modernized" by putting out CR-ROM versions, it is no longer considered an authority on anything. The data in encyclopedias is routinely 15-20 years out of date, and a majority of modern archeologists no longer believe Jesus was an actual person.
Even if he was a historical person, that doesn't mean he was a deity in human form. Many atheists (not me) believe Jesus existed, they just are skeptical of the claims of godhood made about him....as it is god's existence we ultimately refute, so that any human claims on divinity are moot.
2006-10-13 12:25:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know of anyone who denies that a guy named Jesus existed. Not only is he mentioned in the New Testament, but he is also mentioned in the Q'uran and other writings by other civilizations from that time period.
What's up for debate is the belief that Jesus is the Son of God.
2006-10-13 12:25:25 · answer #3 · answered by bikerchickjill 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the New Testament is about the only place that records him, and there are parallels with Jesus and figures from other mythologies. I am on the fence on this one - would lean to believe he did exist as a person but not a mystical figure.
2006-10-13 12:25:25 · answer #4 · answered by Sage Bluestorm 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why do you think this myth endured more than any other? --Mixing of Jewish mythology and Hellenism kept the myth on it's feet, apparently long enough to be excused for as a 'reality' which is entirely false and shouldn't be encouraged.
2016-03-28 08:06:34 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the same sense, why do some refuse to believe He was the Son of God? He pretty well proved it to all who was around Him and yet a great many people refuse to believe. For some people faith is something they say is non existent, yet they can't see the air they breathe but they have faith that it's there when they walk in a building or room or even outside. Even the Jews believe He is the Son of God, they just don't believe He is the Messiah.
2006-10-13 12:26:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The Jews and the Romans were the most meticulous record keepers of that era, Pontius Pilate actual court records still exist, as do many of the writings of the Pharisees. There is no mention of him. Apparently the entire life, ministry, and execution of Jesus took place, and no one in any position of authority anywhere in the region noticed. Records of who was crucified under Pilate's governorship do not include him, the crucifixion as described was in violation of Roman law, and if the Pharisees had wanted Jesus executed they had the authority to do it themselves, the Romans weren't needed.
2006-10-13 13:10:03 · answer #7 · answered by rich k 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Historical evidence of Jesus is actually not as much as you would think. You would think that every historian in the world would be writing about the things that he was supposedly doing, but surprisingly, that isn't really the case. The argument that he never existed isn't a bad one.
I think some guy with that name existed -- I just don't believe in the whole "son of God" thing.
2006-10-13 12:21:55 · answer #8 · answered by . 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Because of their ignorance of the Holy Scriptures. They would rather believe lies than truth. If he is just mythologic then the human race has to be mythological. Jesus' existence is real yet people don't look for realism these days.
2006-10-13 12:22:07 · answer #9 · answered by bro_ken128 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Because there are no current examples of people turning water into wine. Santa Clause is also in Encyclopedia Britanica..
2006-10-13 12:22:51 · answer #10 · answered by W0LF 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋