are they simply too lazy to study history? Considering that there is no factual, historical extrabiblical evidence of the existence of the biblical Jesus.. do you think that they're afraid of the truth or is it just the western couch potato way to regurgitate what the preacher says on Sunday?
2007-06-22 14:34:20 · 28 answers · asked by Kallan 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Is it possible to become your fan twice?...
That question got on my nerves a bit too, and this response is incredibly sexy.
2007-06-22 14:40:24 · answer #1 · answered by yelxeH 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, I'm not sure about there being no evidence other than the Bible. What about the Dead Sea Scrolls? Fact is, I have no problem believing there was a guy in Palestine a couple thousand years ago who was named Jesus and did some of the things, had some of the experiences mentioned in the Bible. I just don't attach the significance to it that Christians do. It may have been like the "Life of Brian," where people talk about having Messiahs all over the place, following one after another.
2007-06-22 22:11:38 · answer #2 · answered by auntb93 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that at a certain point, the historicity of the religion overtook and surpassed the highly dubious historicity of its Messiah . . . I was an adult, for example, and had been for quite some time when I *first* learned that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were NOT the authors of the Gospels, nor eyewitnesses to the events they purported to record.
People think "well, it's lasted two thousand years," (which is itself a fiction; in Northern Europe it's been a lot less than that) and look no further . . . it's only been in the past few decades that archealogists, to my knowledge at least, have begun to *publically* question Biblical chronology. It's not just Jesus who seems to have been fictional . . . Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon . . . the list is extensive when it comes to Biblical figures whose historical existence is now being questioned in scholarly circles.
2007-06-22 22:14:06 · answer #3 · answered by Boar's Heart 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think people are scared in general....scared of doing something wrong and spending eternity in hell. I may be wrong on this, but I thought that Jesus was mentioned in the Koran as well, but they did not believe he was God or was crucified (..not sure on the actual statements about Jesus). In any case, yes, there is no evidence other than religious text. However, I gotta believe someone like Jesus or even named Jesus existed in order for this persona to exist these past 2000 years.
Over all, yes, they are afraid...afraid if they don't do exactly what their faith says, then they are doomed....which is not what I believe. Great question.
Peace, Love, and Blessings
Greenwood
2007-06-22 22:26:43 · answer #4 · answered by Greenwood 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I was raised in a Christian home. in my early twenties, I became to intelligent to believe everything that the Church taught. I studied the ancient religions. and never needed God,
when i saw my daughter receive several miracles, I was impressed, but it never change my views on life.
Fear was never a part of my life. I am constantly learning, and what the preacher said never impressed me.
what did impress me was a personal visit for Jesus, I cannot describe it, and if I did most would not understand it, it could be passed off and an emotional breakdown. but I never felt better, and I didn't think that I needed God, so it was not because of any need that I had. but it did change my life.
no I don't believe because of fear, and I don't believe because of what some preacher said. for me it is not a matter of believing, it is a knowing.
what is right for you is great for you, and I can understand why you believe what you do.
but for me and those like me, all we really ask is that you let us have our beliefs, you don't need to understand it, much as I didn't understand it, our paths may be different, but we each have our own path.
2007-06-22 23:27:55 · answer #5 · answered by Hannah's Grandpa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Regardless of the evidence, how can you deny the the impact Christ's message has on his followers? If it brings peace and happiness to a person, then, I am all for it. I stay active in my faith and I often run into problems with what my church leader says on Sunday mornings. Couch potatoes are comfortable with the stagnant condition of their relationship with Christ. For me, there is a little more to it than that.
2007-06-22 21:42:42 · answer #6 · answered by Patrick the Carpathian, CaFO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fear. Believing in Jesus and an afterlife is such an easy way to dodge the truth, which is that we don't know what will happen to us after we die. We want guarantees, and Jesus provides that for people who are too afraid to acknowledge the reality of the finite nature of life on Earth.
When you think about it, they would rather think that we "continue" after we die, even if that means existing in hell. THAT is less scary to them than the notion of total black nothingness. To me, the idea of nothingness is a hell of a lot less scary than the idea of hell, but then, the sales pitch is : you CAN continue to live IF ONLY YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS, which is a lot of nonsense, because belief in something doesn't make it so.
2007-06-22 23:30:38 · answer #7 · answered by Lady Morgana 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I see the Bible as one way to learn history. I adore history, but if you want to study Jesus, then the Bible is pretty much the only book to read. I am not a couch potato. I am a desk-chair potato.
2007-06-22 21:41:01 · answer #8 · answered by Iamnotarobot (former believer) 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People are scared of the truth period and the subject matter doesn't seem to matter. If you are in any way wanting them to actually think for themselves and really research something in order to form their own options, the vast majority would rather stick their heads in the sand and except what ever they have been spoon feed.
Heaven knows that if they actually learned the truth was something different from what they believed, they might actually have to get up off the coach and do something about it.
2007-06-22 22:09:47 · answer #9 · answered by Fluffy Wisdom 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some people feel that they have to put down everyone else to make themselves feel better. So we have that one that keeps saying the same stuff over and over like that makes it true.
The truth is different for everybody though. I look at it this way. If they were ever shown that their belief was indeed not true it could do more damage to them spiritually than to just let them believe what they do.
2007-06-22 21:42:59 · answer #10 · answered by Janet L 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have known a very nice little old lady for nearly 20 years ...we have become good friends during this time, supporting each other through times such as the murder of her daughter and the death of my mother...and the good things too like having a cuppa together....She is a staunch Jehovah's Witness and has always tried to convert me as i followed no path until i found the Pagan way and Wicca...A while ago i sat her down and told her about my life change and that i hoped we could still be friends, of course she told me that i was following the devil etc.....I offered her a printout of My beliefs that i have made up for my friends who want answers...and she refused to take it...i said to her..."but Gretta i have been accepting your little booklets for years and i just want you to see that i do not accept Satan and know that i am perfectly safe!" She replied that to even read literature from ""((false))"" religions she would be allowing Satan a small crack through which to sneak in and poison her mind! So yes they are taught not to seek any other form of spiritual material, thus not being given the chance for their eyes to be opened! This is what their elders have planted in their minds! It keeps them in line!
But we remain dear friends and i love her to bits....But shes still trying to save me!!!LOL!!
Blessings Kallan!
)O(
Ariel
2007-06-22 22:33:24 · answer #11 · answered by *~Ariel Brigalow Moondust~* 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋