The story of christ is itself a legend based on the combination of many various gods. Mithras was a Persian god who was born of a virgin on December 25, was visited at birth by magi, grew up and healed the sick, raised the dead, had a last supper with his 12 diciples before dying on a cross, rose to heaven three days later on Easter, and saved man.
The earliest Christian writings have no mention of a historical Jesus, let alone any miracles. It appears that the New Testament was written decades after Jesus is now considered to have lived.
http://www.jdstone.org/cr/files/mithrasc...
http://www.taivaansusi.net/historia/mith...
http://www.ffrf.org/about/bybarker/rise....
And the part about Nazareth, Mary, and the manger, look to the Egyptian god Osiris and his mother Isis, also known as Meri.
2006-12-01 17:57:43 · 6 answers · asked by Andy P 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
wefmeister, I am happy to hear that your life has turned around, and I mean you peace. Have you ever considered that it is possible for good things to have happened to you without the Jesus story to be true?
2006-12-01 18:21:58 · update #1
Hey Daniel, thanks for the links. I'll read them. I haven't seen such a thorough argument.
Two things:
1. I have to disagree with your "beyond patience" language, seeing as your homework seems to provide for enough patience in the argument to refute it.
2. What the hell is the Talbot School of Theology? Looks pretty slanted.
2006-12-01 18:41:21 · update #2
OK, I've read it. It addresses Paul and Academically, is not very strong writing. The use of the exclamation point is a dead give away.
Even if one concedes all of his points, which I can't imagine a neutral researcher would, there are obvious questions about the similarities between the Jesus story and other myths of that time. Thanks again for the links. I appreciate the discussion. I hope I have not offended you.
2006-12-01 18:57:11 · update #3
Are you kidding?
"The earliest Christian writings have no mention of a historical Jesus, let alone miracles."
There are many things I can tolerate. But blatant misrepresentation of the truth is not one of them. At least you could be intellectually honest and say you disagree with the historical evidence for Christ and his resurrection. But to drop to such scholarly bankruptcy is beyond patience. The objection that CHristianity borrowed elements from prior religions reveals its own adolescent scholarship. There is just enough research to make it appear that Christianity really is a sham, but not enough to reveal that Christianity is as historically reliable an event as virtually any other even in history.
P.S. Your links do not work.
Here are a couple that do.
http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/docs/bodily.html
http://www.ntwrightpage.com/
2006-12-01 18:33:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was not born on 25th December. His actual birthday is at some time earlier in the year. The reason Christmas is celebrated on that date, however, is that it coincides with the date of a pagan festival. The early fathers of the church could not afford to alienate themselves too much from the pagans, and thus they set the date for Christmas on 25th December as to appease them.
The same thing applies to Easter, in terms of how it is celebrated nowadays.
However, Jesus was an actual man who lived and died during the reign of Caesar Augustus. The New Testament that you know is a translation of ancient records, and as with all translations, some meaning is lost and obscured.
2006-12-02 02:03:17 · answer #2 · answered by archangel2923 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Then how did this imaginary God change my life?
I was a liar, now I'm an honest man.
I was a thief, I steal no more.
I was a blasphemer, now I'm a worshipper.
I hated God. Now I love Him
I was a drunkard. I've been sober many years.
I was addicted to pot, LSD, speed - now I get high on the presence of God.
I was lazy, selfish, blind, fearful, ignorant, arrogant -
And it was the name of Jesus Christ that changed me in a moment - even when I was running in the opposite direction. - Oh - but maybe your right !
Maybe I was just imagining those things !!
Or maybe you are not as smart as you think.
2006-12-02 02:10:09 · answer #3 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a challenge from Paul in his writings (2 years after the crusifiction) that Jesus was seen by hundreds after he arose from the dead and he encourged anyone who didn't believe to seek those living people out and ask them what they saw.
That's pretty bold writing!
2006-12-02 02:35:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Adam to #10 son Noah, to #20 Son Abraham.
Matt.1:1-17; Abraham and 14 MALE generations to king David.
>075-1983-Abraham Gen12:4 covenant.
>025-1958-Abraham Gen.21:5;
>060-1898-Isaac............Gen...
>082-1816-Jacob....... ...Gen.29:35; 47:9.11.28 In Egypt
>053-1710-Judah...........Gen....
>030-1680-Parez...........Ruth 4:18;
>030-1650-Hezron.........Ruth 4:19;
>030-1620-Amminadab..Ruth 4:20; Elisheba and Aaron 1630 +50= 1690-1553
>029-1591-Nashon........Ruth 4:20; .....Exodus from Egypt 40 years to 1513 BCE.
>078-1513-Salmon.........Ruth 4:20;......Moses dies Deut.34:7; Promised Land.
>100-1413-Nahomi.........Ruth 4:14-17;
>020-1393-Ruth.............Rut... 4:8-10; Ruth
>099-1294-Boaz............Ruth 4:21; Husband
>100-1194-Obed............Ruth 4:22; Son
>087-1107- Jesse..........Ruth 4:22; Grandson.
>030-1077- David........... Ruth 4:22; Great grandson.
>040-1037-David. 1Ki.2:10,11;
>004-1033-Solomon.. 1Ki,6:1 [430 from Salmon or Moses ];
>036-0997-Solomon 1Ki.11:42 dies 997 before Christ.
Saul #01, David #02, Solomon #3. Judah Kings 1Chr.3:9-17;
#04. 0997- 17-0980 king Rehoboam
#05. 0980- 03-0977 King Abijam
#06. 0977- 41-0936 king Asa
#07. 0936- 23-0913 king Jehosaphat
#08. 0913- 08-0905 king Jehoram
#09. 0905- 01-0904 king Ahaziah
#10. 0904- 06-0898 Queen Athaliah
#11. 0898- 40-0858 king Jehoash
#12. 0858- 29-0829 king Amaziah
#13. o829- 52-0777 king Uzziah
#14. 0777- 16-0761 king Jotham
#15. 0761- 16-0745 king Ahaz
#16. 0745- 29-0716 king Hezekiah
#17. 0716- 55-0661 king Manasseh
#18. 0661- 02-0659 king Amon
#19. 0659- 31-0628 king Josiah
#20. 0628- 11-0617 king Jehoiakim
#21. 0617- 11-0606 king Zedekiah. 2Chr.36:20-23; Matt.1:13-17
~~~~~~~~~~~~-606 before Christ all caprive in Babylon.
THERE WILL BE NO KING UNTIL KING JESUS 2nd COMING
THIS IS HOW I SEE IF IT WILL WORK OUT
2006-12-02 02:59:05 · answer #5 · answered by jeni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians don't reconcile history they have their own. Why would they listen to your history?
Merry Christmas XX Betty.
2006-12-02 02:04:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋