Question for Atheists about Jesus?

Question

K I'm an atheist and right now I am talking to 4 other atheists in a chat on yahoo. We're talking about Jesus and about how his message was one of peace and forgiveness.

Just wondering, do other atheists feel this way, that the true message of the man jesus was love and forgiveness, and some religious people tainted it?

Second question, profound effect on the world, cause I'm here with 4 of the smartest atheists from this category talking about the good things from Jesus of Nazareth.

Answer 1

Agreed. I have nothing against the man, and wat filters down aftethe religious dogma is a guy that was trying really hard to move people away from the eye for an eye stoning your wife brutality of religious law, and his people occupied by a foreign nation. Whether he thought he would have to be a religious figure to do so, whether his followers attrributed supernatural powers to him afterwards or whether he really believed it is of little consequence to me. I won't accept the superstition following his death, but there's no doubting he was an influential figure, and that what he was trying was basically a good thing.

Answer 2

Well, the fact of the matter is that we don't know a whole lot about him with any degree of certainty. There's the missing years of his life, the fact that he didn't really put anything down in writing, and the fact that much of what has been written about him has been translated, translated again, some of it lost, and then translated a couple more times. But I would agree that he seemed to be trying to spread a message of peace (we'll leave his supposed temper tantrum in the temple out of this) and harmony. I have long wondered what a conversation between him, Mohammed, and Siddartha would be like. I can't help but think they were all trying to say basically the same things, but then, somewhere along the line, the message got fractured. I can't imagine that any of them would accept the toxic amount of hatred that has and still is being spread in their names (though not usually the Buddha's). I'm an atheist, and I think their underlying messages were phenominal and forward thinking.

As for your second question, he did have a profound effect on the world, but not always in a positive way. Wars have been declared in his name so often we can't really count them, and countless imjustices have been perpetrated by so-called followers. But in the end, we can only do our part to carry on that core of his message: tolerance and peace. And this we can only do as individuals.

Answer 3

Jesus message of peace, love, selflessness and forgiveness are all strong themes taught by Jesus. I do fear that some of his message has been misinterpreted or distorted.

I still believe that the importance of our connection to God and reverence to our creator were a part of his message. Another part of his message was the fact that much of the religious leadership can and does distorts true worship.

Answer 4

First of all I do not know if the Jesus of the bible existed. If he did I have no idea what his "message" was. Maybe he was the first hippie. Maybe he was just trying to take back the throne of his ancestors. As an Atheist I don't really care. I know that he was no more than a man.

Answer 5

Jesus was a brilliant man. His gospels were way before his time. It's a shame that most Christians don't follow his all of his gospels, but only use the selective ones in the King James version of the Bible.
IMHO Jesus' words are wise. He believed that everyone especially the poor, destitute, outcasts feel Gods love. It's a shame that todays Christians don't see it that way. They judge everyone who is different from them and damn them to.

Answer 6

I like to believe that Jesus was as you describe, but that may be as false as the other portrayals. It would help a lot if Jesus had left behind some writings for us to get to know him better. I have a hard time trusting what was written about him decades later.

Answer 7

From what we know--much of Jesus' message was about love, peace and forgiveness. Not all of it, but much of it--he wanted people to place God before all other people (remember Luke?: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple..." Hyperbole, probably, but still a moderately disturbing message). I'm not sure I would construe that particular statement as one of love.

Overall, though, I agree with Gandhi: "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

Answer 8

I dont know what religions have tainted the true message of Jesus, peace love and forgiveness is what the majority of all Christians wish for all people

Answer 9

Sorry, however this Bible verse isn't quoting Jesus. Chronicles was once written on the time of King David, countless numbers of years earlier than Jesus was once born. two Chronicles 19 one million When Jehoshaphat king of Judah lower back properly to his palace in Jerusalem, two Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to fulfill him and mentioned to the king, "Should you aid the depraved and love folks who hate the LORD ? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. three There is, nonetheless, a few well in you, for you have got rid the land of the Asherah poles and feature set your center on looking for God."

Answer 10

All the accounts of Jesus are second-hand at best. Cherry-picking universal ideas about morality doesn't really add any credibility to Christianity.

Plus it ignores all the not-so-nice stuff Jesus supposedly said.