In comparing the literature of ancient religious we find many instances of similar stories occuring in different religious traditions. For example, there are at least four instances of a god who dies and subsequently returns to life. Are these similarities important when it comes to assessing the truth of these stories?
2007-02-05 17:42:35 · 10 answers · asked by Edmond 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In any story, there are going to be stories that branch off from it. As it is told over the years things are going to get changed from person to person. You remember the grade school game of telling the first child a sentence and letting it go around the room? The only reference I can give to the present day Bible is that the Accuracy of the old testament from the dead sea Scrolls is approx 94 % accurate. An amazing feat by Jewish scribes over the centuries.
2007-02-05 17:48:13 · answer #1 · answered by mark g 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using "similarites" as described has several flaws as a validation device. The biggest four are:
1. Generalization - Acts that sound similar in general terms are actually different on specific terms, to the degree that they don't truly match, unless one wants them to. Illustrative example: is the death and rebirth of the Phoenix bird the same as the death and rebirth of Jesus?
2. Culturalization - Some story themes are passed on, in manners that appear independent but are actually influenced by subtle mixes of culture. This is especially true when one rolls time into the mix. Christianity of today has many influences from other cultures that did not exist in its early form. (For example, one form of early Christianity had Judas dying in Christ's place) Another proof of extensive cultural influences - the subtle commonalities of most languages.
3. Exclusion - By seeking similarities, one fails to recognize non-similarities. Of the thousands of possibilities, four similarities of one condition ignores the hundreds of conditions that are not similar. Does the fact that there are hundreds of religions that do not have a God that dies and is reborn validate that concept as false?
4. Commonality - Death and rebirth, for example, have examples in nature. So it follows that stories, legends, and religions all have similar allegories to common human conditions. They are related to common human conditions, but they are not related to specific historical events.
2007-02-05 18:09:55 · answer #2 · answered by freebird 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, see Nimrod Is Osiris! The prophecy of the coming Christ had circulated for a long time. Isis & Osiris went a head & claimed it before it's time. Nimrod is the human father of false religion!
Below is from this web site: http://www.yhmm.org/origin_easter.htm
The grandson of Noach (Noah), Nimrod, formed the first post-flood kingdom. Jewish tradition indicates that Nimrod was a tyrant "who made all of the people rebellious against God." Nimrod ruled several major cities including Babel, Asshur, Nineveh and Calah (cities known through-out the ancient world for unimaginable perversion).
When Nimrod died, the Babylonian mystery religion continued. His wife Semiramis deified him as the Sun-god. He is known through out pagan religions as Baal, Baalim, Bel, and Molech. Semiramis later gave birth to an illegitimate son named Tammuz (later known in the Roman world as Mithras) , was claimed to be Nimrod "reborn."
Furthermore she claimed that her son was supernaturally conceived and that he was the promised seed, the 'savior' - promised by God. Nimrod was deified as the god of the sun and father of creation. Semiramis became the goddess of the moon and fertility.
In the Mystery cults, the 'savior' Tammuz \ Mithras , was worshipped in spring with pagan rites. According to legend, after Tammuz was killed by a wild boar, he went into the underworld. But through the weeping of his mother (for 40 days - lent) he was resurrected. Each year a spring festival was held to dramatically represent this supposed 'resurrection'.
Thus a false religion developed with sun and moon worship, priests, astrology, demonic worship, worship of stars associated with their gods, idolatry, mysterious rites, human sacrifice, and more.
2007-02-05 18:12:38 · answer #3 · answered by Boppysgirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure.
The only true story is that of Jesus Christ, who actually did rise again from the dead, by his own power, and who changed the world forever, as a result.
All the rest ... if they aren't just false retro history .. are simply mythical accounts of false gods.
2007-02-05 22:10:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not at all. Just because they contain similarities, that does not mean they are true. All countries have similar laws, but does that mean they were all written by the same person?
2007-02-05 17:46:34 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Different religions are like roads leading into a city. They come from different directions but the destination (God) is the same
2007-02-05 17:46:17 · answer #6 · answered by jaidii_lok 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Just shows how popular fairy tales were back then. Kind how like Harry Potter is so popular today, even though it's not real either.
2007-02-05 17:46:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I thought this was interesting-http://www.tektonics.org/copycat/copycathub.html
It addresses the same question you're asking.
2007-02-05 17:49:59 · answer #8 · answered by Serena 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll also find many versions of the great flood as well.......Just goes to show you that these events did happen and they were important enough for others to tell and re-tell........
2007-02-05 17:45:32 · answer #9 · answered by Mandy S 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There's never been ANYONE like Jesus Christ! He fulfilled over 300 OT prophesies just with His birth ALONE!
2007-02-05 17:47:04 · answer #10 · answered by lookn2cjc 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋