Could you get comfort from the story of Jesus even if you dont believe in God?

Question

I don't consider myself a Christian and I don't believe in God, and i dont know if the story of Jesus is true.
But i do use the words and message of Jesus and his story to help me through my life.
I believe it is a powerful message of love, healing, forgiveness and acceptance (all of the best human qualities).
I get a lot of comfort from the story of Jesus, and believe in the story of the man. For me, the story doesnt even have to be true, i believe in the story, and the comfort comes from within me, not from an external source.
Does any one else have similar views?
What do you all think about these thoughts?

The thing that i didnt make clear is that i also read the story of Jesus in the context of the culture that he was born into and i dont take the story literally. For instance, i believe that the reason Jesus declared himself the son of god was to challenge the oppressive authorities of his society. Jesus didnt know that his words were going to carried through history for 2000 years.. his message was to his people of his time, and his message was a million times more caring than that of the old testament, which they lived by at the time. I guess i cherry-pick the bits that i like, and ignore the rest, after putting it into context. Jesus had to talk about heaven and hell, because that is what his culture believed in and otherwise no one would have listened to him, and, like i said, his message was a radical change to the one that already existed.

Meat Bot.. thanks for your answer.. maybe i cherry-pick the bits of the story that i find useful, and ignore the rest?
does Jesus condemn us to hell? i thought that was just Christians who do that! lol

CJ... did Jesus really threaten us with eternal hell?

DaveFrehley... thanks for your answer.. can you tell me any of the stories that you refer to? what is 'green sausages and ham'? and which religions did christianity rip off? i'm always interested in such things

dendronbat... i agree with you... that's why i dont believe in God.

Answer 1

Hi Zag. I believe in God, but I don't believe that Jesus was God. I too am very comforted by his story. Because I believe he was human like you and I, it gives me hope in the human capacity for love and understanding. The story is a gage I can use to measure my own spiritual growth and see how far or short I have come.

Answer 2

Let me summarize first to see if I have the basic story correct. God creates the first man with a curiosity to know things but then condemns him for his curiosity and also condemns all of his descendants (original sin). Finally God decides to make a son and send him to Earth to be torured so that man's original sin can be expiated.

Such a myth is most annoying to me, because;
The thirst for knowledge is not immoral
Creating a curious being and then condemning him for being curious is immoral
Condemning one's descendants for the sins of the ancestor is immoral
Making your son suffer for others is immoral
Suffering to take away (my) sin without my permission is immoral--as it robs me of my dignity and courage

So what we have is a ridiculously immoral myth that could only have been thought up by some ignorant sheepherders wo lived thousands of years ago.

Answer 3

What is to take comfort in his story.

He pretty much sank to the level of a wander (bum), was set up and betrayed by his closest friend, arrested, jeered by a mob and died a horrible death.

Then the story was fixed up to make it fit the theology.

It is the sad tale of an charismatic, idealistic dreamer, who came to a bad end, and was glorified after his death.

Answer 4

There are many stories that teach lessons and "give comfort" in regards to life's big questions and things of that nature.

The story of jesus, to me, is not one of those stories. I see a much more pertinent message in the story of Green Eggs & Ham. The story of jesus is a rip-off from other religious stories that have come before it. There are better & more comforting stories than the story of jesus.

Edit: Two thumbs down huh? I guess the truth hurts. The story of jesus is a fable.... you won't go to hell if you don't believe in it.

Answer 5

" It is written: the blind shall lead the blind". That's all I have to say. on this subject matter. Everybody's is entitled to believe in his own convictions, morals, beliefs and true sense of values.and oh yeah, hopeully, that unscrupulpus conscience. You can't go thru life without some innate beliefs, and some trust. It makes one for a bitter person. Jesus is God. God is all knowing.! We, as mere human beings don't have the divine understanding to comprehend His designs and His plans.

It's easy to lose one's perspectives and purpose in life in this daily grind.

You can lead a horse to the river, but, remember, you can't force him to drink. Also beware of charlatans, and wolves in sheeps' clothing. esp in this modern world of technology.

You might ber interested inthe following anecdote:

Who is Jesus?

In chemistry, He turned water to wine.
In
Biology, He was born without the normal conception;
In physics, He disapproved the law of gravity when He ascended into
Heaven;
In economics, He disapproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5000
Men with two fishes & 5 loaves of bread;
In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind without administering a
Single
Dose of drugs,
In history, He is the beginning and the end;
In government, He said that he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince
Of Peace;
In religion, He said no one comes to the Father except through him;
So. Who is He? He is Jesus!
Join me and let's celebrate him; He is worthy.
The eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil, the hand that will
Send this message to everybody shall not labor in vain, and the mouth
Saying
Amen to this prayer shall smile forever. Remain in God and seek his face
Always. Amen!
In God I've found everything!
The Greatest Man in History
Jesus
Had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!
If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son. Send this to all on
Your
Buddy list.

If you ignore it, just remember that Jesus said... "If you deny me before
Man, I will deny you before my Father in Heaven

Answer 6

Why would I get comfort from a man who says I'll go to Hell, and who refuses to help people unless they admit they are dogs? Not sure how it's a story of forgiveness if he won't forgive atheism.

Answer 7

Jesus is God, and warned over and over against eternal hell. What you're saying is foolishness. Jesus doesn't want to comfort the unsaved, He wants them to be saved by Him.