I mean David Koresh said he was, and we know what happened to him in Waco, Texas. And there have been countless other examples. How do you know Jesus wasnt just a man going around saying he was the son of God and fooling a whole bunch of people?
2006-11-30 22:41:34 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To Julia: well you werent actually there were you. Plus David Copperfield has produced better tricks.
2006-11-30 22:45:01 · update #1
Short answer, they don't. That is to say there's no proof that Jesus was the son of God or a con-man or anything in between for that matter. There's no proof that he rose from the dead and to be perfectly honest, the historical evidence that he existed at all is far from conclusive. The reason people believe is faith. The same applied to Allah's prophet Muhummad or anyone else throughout history who claimed to speak for an allmighty deity.
Jesus, like Koresh, gathered followers and ended up dying for his cause when the local authorities decided he was a danger. You could argue that, like Koresh, he was power hungy and simply liked the feeling that to his followers, he was the earthly incarnation of God.
You could also argue that Koresh was a persecuted Messiah who died for his followers. It's a much harder argument to make since in the time Koresh existed, we had much better history recording and information networks. So now we all know Koresh abused children and was clearly, by societal standards, a whacko.
However in Jesus time, there was no FBI monitoring his activities and no news networks to interview his followers about the things they saw him do. There was only a very rudimentary legal system in which to try him for any accusations and very poor historyical record-keeping to tell people 2000 years from then how things really were.
Jesus may have been *EXACTLY* like Koresh, but just didn't manage to take as many people out with him when he died. Unfortunately the only acocunts we have of the man are recorded in a book which was written specifically to glorify him. If he abused children and raped women, I doubt any of the disciples would have recorded it in the Bible.
For whatever reason, something has happened in a believers life which convinces them wholeheartedly that Jesus is the son of God and that God is real and that's why they believe. It's not right or wrong, it's just what they believe.
If you want to see what I mean, just read the responses to your question. To the believers, no proof is necessary. To the disbelievers, no proof is enough. We believe what we believe because it makes sense to us. The people who died with Koresh (probably) believed until the end that he was the second coming. That's all that mattered to them.
Personally, I don't believe because, as I said, there's no proof and I'm not too big on faith. I don't need a God to be happy so I don't bother believing in one.
Edit: Hey lookit... The fundies are running their usual trick of scanning any religious threads and downvoting any answers that don't preach their religion. Get a hobby guys. Just because an answer disagrees with your view, doesn't mean it has no value.
2006-11-30 22:50:46 · answer #1 · answered by crunchy_mush 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Because God told believers long before Jesus ever was born what to look for in the coming Messiah. Read the Old Testament and you will find that Jesus Christ fulfilled everything prophesied about him.
Thank God for his Holy Word!!!
Isaiah Ch. 9 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the goverment shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wounderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more that the sons of men.
Read all of Ch. 53 it is awesome!
2006-11-30 22:59:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. because Jesus has been around ever since and His kingdom has not fizzled out
2. my friend, I know you cannot understand how, but born again Christians (NOT those simply brought up in a Christian upbringing) have a very real, very personal relationship with Him. Its only until you give your heart to Him that you get this. Its truly like being able to see for the first time in your life. He also fills you with a peace and joy you never knew you didnt have.
In essence, our proof resides in our hearts.
2006-11-30 22:54:45 · answer #3 · answered by ccc4jesus 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Even Jesus asked "Why do you call Me good?" The proof is in Jesus' life - how He walked the talk. His miracles also helped with his PR. But the main proof is that Jesus was not doing it for fame or fortune but to point the way to God and not to Himself.
2006-11-30 22:52:13 · answer #4 · answered by Mary W 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the question is also the answer:
What would make men who doubted at a time, be willing to give their lives up so selflessly for the sake of their witness?.....
These men were willing to let other people destroy their bodies just for the sake of their faith.... They believed!!!!
and for their witness.... that is something very powerful to die for!!!
your sister,
Ginger
2006-11-30 22:50:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what you say is true . he was a pakistani living in kashmire . his grave still stands there. he came to europe with the traders selling dry fish and spices , found the people gulliyable and pulled them into his con. millions belived him till day .
2006-11-30 22:52:13 · answer #6 · answered by srini 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do con artists get crucified and then rise from the dead on the third day?
.
2006-11-30 22:43:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok.......let's not count all the miracles He did
Let's not count the fact He came back from the dead
Let's not count the fact He was witnessed ascending into Heaven
After you take all these things away.......well....by golly.....you must be right!
*shaking head*
2006-11-30 23:03:44 · answer #8 · answered by kenny p 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because he asked nothing of people ... unlike Koresh and others like him
2006-11-30 22:43:05 · answer #9 · answered by Peace 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because He died for us. What con artist would ever do that?
2006-11-30 22:55:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋