Even if you are an atheist, Don't you have to admire Jesus for his teachings?

Question

He came to the world to teach love and peace even to his enemies. He was the one who taught ultimate forgiveness "who slaps you on your right cheek turn for him the left one". Even if you don't believe he existed, what do you think of a person mentioned in the bible having these teachings?
I am not offending atheists here or anybody else.

If you don't believe in him , you must respect him as a person whatever belief you have. Maybe he was so much idealistic, this is why many people misunderstand him.

P.S. I have asked this question in the morning, I hope to get more rational answers that are not motivated by hatred or beliefs.

Most of you seem not to understand the question and are full with blind hatred.
Some people who are calling themselves atheists are just worse than fanatic religious people having hatred deep in their hearts, it is just atrend for you.

Answer 1

The person written about in the bible was a great teacher and a humanitarian with what seems to us a very modern outlook on questions such as individual rights, the value of a person's own life and the need for people to respect one another and work to understand each other's point of view.

He was a man of great wisdom, and he took enormous risks to spread a message of love, the need for social change and tolerance, at a time when it was so dangerous to do so that it did, in fact cost him his life.

What's NOT to admire and respect?

I wish our modern 'leaders' were such fine people.

Best wishes :-)

Answer 2

I would agree that Jesus had quitea few good lessons. He had a few weird ones too, but definitely some good lessons.

But giving good lessons do not equate to godhood. Unless I went to High School in Olympus. On top of which, I can't even think of many churches that focus on Jesus' lessons. Most are far more into promoting themselves, or going off either Jewish history or later interpretaion of the gospels (ie acts, revelation, the entire OT, etc.) rather than just sticking to the Gospels.

Unless you know of one that actually advocates turning the other cheek (say if opposed by someone wants to keep abortion legal or get "under god" out of the U.S. pledge of allegience), telling wealthy members to give up all personal wealth, welcoming quite literally everyone, etc.

Failing that, I'd settle for a church where ministers can move mountains, walk on water, or do other stuff that Jesus' followers were said to be able to do.

Answer 3

He does mention eternal torment and weeping and gnashing of teeth a lot for someone who is all about love and peace. He called a Canaanite woman a dog (Matthew 15:21-26), instructed people to hate their families (Luke 14:26), and is said to have a sword coming out of his mouth at the end of the world (Revelation 1:16). I do like the parts he said about not judging others, telling people the golden rule, and the beatitudes, though.

Answer 4

I can and I do. I don't know for sure that he actually existed or that he said what is attributed to him, but what we know as the teachings of Jesus are honest and insightful. I'm most impressed by his condemnation of hypocritical religious observance divorced from any obligation toward fellow human beings. Unfortunately, it is standard worldly procedure to iconize, commoditize and neutralize even the best ideas, and this applies to religion as well. Too many people are more interested in owning Jesus souvenirs than in living his message and example.

Answer 5

I liked his sermon on the mount and I think there are worthwhile stories and thoughts in the Bible. Having studied the Bible and not being a believer in divine revelations I have troubles with Paul's picture of Jesus. Paul never met Jesus and claims to write for him through revelation. He introduces us to the concepts that I find less attractive in Jesus's teachings. I suspect Paul co-opted the message. There are people who point out that it seems that other writers or disciples were at odds with Paul and his ideas throughout their lives. So yes, I do admire some of Jesus's teachings so far as we can determine what his actual teachings were.

Answer 6

Some of what he said was okay, but much was not. Most of the bad stuff has been mentioned already in this thread.


Edit: Most of the answers here are of the form, "Some of his teachings were okay, and some weren't." Funny how the asker gets "blind hatred" from that.

Answer 7

The only problem is wondering exactly what he taught and did. Not the stories that may have changed over time. If I'm to assume that all the good things he did are true then sure, he was a great guy.

Answer 8

"I have asked this question in the morning, I hope to get more rational answers that are not motivated by hatred or beliefs."

How silly. Saying that Jesus is a fictional character isn't "hatred." Saying that the words attributed to that fictional character were not new isn't "hatred." They're very rational answers.

Answer 9

Some of his teachings are sound, some not.

I tend not to focus on the people that gave birth to the beliefs but the beliefs themselves, as following people can lead you down the path of nonthought and complacency within the philosophical realm.

Most of his stuff was not original (to the world) so if I followed people I would not follow him.

Answer 10

True, he's taught some interesting things - however I don't see how he could forgive someone if they stabbed him dead - but I mostly admire him for his persitance.

I personally like his "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" - that's another way of telling a load of men that they're a bunch of hypocrites. And I always admire a person who doesn't like hypocrites.


Pagan, by the way, not atheist.

**edit**

Seems like some people haven't noticed the irony in my answer - I haven't had any thumbs down yet! :(