Christians, how much study have you done in the origins of your religion?

Question

Have you examined the similarities between your religion (all the world's religions for that matter) and previous religions? Do you think that Jesus might be yet another version of a son god? How do you explain the hundreds of older flood myths from other archaic religions (read Gilgamesh for one example)? Are the apparent astrological references in the bible just coincidence (the three kings, Pisces, Aquarius, etc)? What about the immaculate conception and how many times it has been used in the creation of a man god (Horus for example)?

Have you looked at other, older religions, or are you satisfied that yours is the right one, and it is unique?

If you do not have any idea what I am talking about, then do not answer. Read a few religious history books, especially Egyptian religious history, and then think about this question. If you do know a fair amount about other religions, and their similarities to yours, then great, I would like to know what you think about the apparent plagiarism from previous religions. Was the Devil involved? Why do you think the ideas that permeate the Christian religion are also prevalent in other older religions?

Zeitgeist is an interesting documentary that talks about this, I just watched it today, so that is what sparked this question, that and people saying that the story of Noah is proof that the bible stories are real. I have read many books on the subject, I find it fascinating. I also find it fascinating when people present Christianity as being an original and therefore true religion.

Answer 1

I can only answer from my own perspective, as a Christian who has looked into these things. Personally, I look at it like this: There is a supreme force behind the universe, and the religious minds of all ages have engaged in contemplating WHAT that force is and what its Truth is. If Christianity is even partly true, that the God of the universe became man and walked among us and dwelt with us, then you would expect to see echoes of that truth found in all cultures and all ages - both before and after Christ. The clues to God's identity are embedded in the universe, if God is indeed the Creator of the universe. So you shouldn't be surprised if people who observe the universe around them see God and see the Truth. I only have a problem with people who claim that they have the Whole Truth, and everyone else is necessarily wrong. Truth is truth wherever you find it; and one of the great factors of Christianity historically has been its ability to recognize truth in other cultures and religions and absorb them. It drives me nuts when people try and "purge" Christianity of pagan influence - as if the God who created nature is incompatible with finding God inside of nature.

Peace to you.

Answer 2

a) i've studied quite a bit, actually.

b) no, haven't checked every religion out there, being there are about a kazillion, roughly (it's a fair estimate, wouldn't you say?).

c) do you mean ''sun god''? no. not really. too many witnessed the resurrection. too many non-christian historians mention Jesus in their texts. even the jews have him listed in the talmud as a ''magician.'' one of the many problems here is that He didn't use spells or incantations, like other magicians of the day.

d) gilgamesh is the babylonian something or another that was on the history channel, yeah? as i recall, it wasn't a ''myth'' with an actual moral, but a local event. they found the ark in saudi arabia several years ago.

e) noone knows exactly how many magi came to bring gifts to the Christ child. we only know that there were three gifts; gold, frankencense, and mirr (spelling?). that's why only three wisemen are represented. He wouldn't have been in the manger at that time either, being it took the magi around two years to travel so far. nor would the barn be made of wood, being it was in the middle of a desert. that's just how many artists, being of european descent, have chosen to represent it.

f) you got me on horus. i don't know anything about it. if you're referring to some kind of incubus kind of thing, yes, i'm aware of that mythology.

g) i've looked at other, older religions, and i'm quite satisfied that mine is the right one, especially since the mathematical odds of any man fulfilling the 48 Messianic prophecies (and some will claim as many as 109) that scholars have agreed on is one in... a number i don't even have a name for. it's waaaaaaaaay beyond one in a trillion.

Answer 3

I have done some reading into the matters you presented. The difference between Jesus and the "myth" deities, is that we have eyewitness testimony as to His physical existence, and we have historical writings done by those outside His circle that testify to His actual existence.
I believe the other flood stories came from the original event, the flood in the Scriptures. Considering that when Noah's children scattered, they took this event with them, and passed it on orally to their children and grandchildren, who probably did the same. If you look at the other flood stories, there is similarity, but also major differences. Also, these other accounts tend to sound very fantasy like, while the Biblical account is very straight forward. The Epic of Gilgamesh is one example, there are similarities, but there are glaring differences (the dimensions of the boat for instance, in Noah's case, if you took the actual dimensions and built it, it would look like a very large barge, while the boat in Gilgamesh looks like a cube).
Again, Jesus was an actual flesh and blood human, the others (horus, mithras, etc.) cannot make that claim. It is interesting that the plagues on Egypt in the book of Exodus were directed at the gods of Egypt.

1. Plague of Turning the Nile to blood, Exodus 7:14-25. Isis was the Egyptian god of the Nile. Khnum was the guardian of the Nile.
2. Plague of Frogs, Exodus 8:1-5. Heget was the goddess of birth and had the head of a frog.
3. Plague of Gnats, Exodus 8:16-19. Set was the god of the desert.
4. Flies, Exodus 8:20-32. Re was the sun god. Uatchit was a god possibly represented by the fly.
5. Death of Livestock, Exodus 9:1-7. Hathor, goddess with a cow's head. Apis was the bull god.
6. Boils, Exodus 9:8-12. Sekmet goddess that had power over disease. Sunu, the god of pestilence.
7. Hail, Exodus 9:13-35. Nut, the goddess of the sky. Set god of storms.
8. Locusts, Exodus 10:1-20. Osiris, god of crops.
9. Darkness, Exodus 10:21-29. Re, the sun god. Horus, a sun god. Hathor, sky goddess.
10. Death of firstborn, Exodus 11:1 - 12:30. Min, god of reproduction. Isis, goddess who protected children. Pharaoh, considered a god.

Answer 4

Ponder this: Adam & Eve were taught about Jesus, his life & what His coming would mean to the world. The devil tries to dissuade everyone from following the Christ by using scripture (which is usually a prophet's diary or journal of events & revelations from God) to twist & mislead. Truth, mingled w/ the teachings of man to mislead & divert from the truth.

I have studied religions extensively & come to the conclusion that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has the most information about Jesus, why we come to earth, & the plan of God. If you study this religion, you will recognize all other religions w/in it's teachings because it is the most complete & the most accurate. The origins are directly from the mouth of Heavenly Father & His son, Jesus Christ. Truth is always revealed via a prophet. God is the same today, tomorrow & forever. His plans & teachings do not change no matter the times.

Truth, is truth no matter where you find it. We are told, ask & ye shall receive- all we have to do it ask if something is true (pray) then wait for the quiet whisper that is the Spirit to confirm the truthfulness to us. God wants us to seek Him & His truth. He has made it possible through His teachings & His prophets. It is an awesome religion that I love & study all the time. I truly love to learn about religions- they fascinate me. Jesus set up His church in a specific manner & it is now on the earth again full & completely w/ Him leading His church through a prophet who receives inspiration from Him.

Answer 5

Man, Nice Hat!!!

I'd probably get one, but then I'd have to stay inside during Electrical Storms.
I hate it when I Short Out!

When I Accepted Jesus as my Saviour, my Spirit got Recreated, I (a Spirit) was Translated into the Parallel Universe (GOD's Kingdom) that makes this Universe Possible--I became a Child of GOD (what most call a "Christian").
When I did this, I entered into "REALITY".

Being a Child of GOD is Reality, not a "Religion".

Hope this helps and Remember, count the Seconds after the Thunder---and if you can Still do that AFTER the Lightning Strikes, you will Still be Alive!!!

(you can get some Grounding Rods at K-Mart too!)

Answer 6

Many have not looked at other, older religions. Of those that have, some are satisfied that Christianity is right for them AFTER they have questioned their faith and others refuse to look at anything that might make them question, instead saying that the evidence of religious borrowing is "lies"

For an interesting essay on the similarities between Dionysus and Jesus read "The Ivy-Covered Cross" by Sannion (who is a Hellenic Polytheist)

Answer 7

I have done alot of study taking many philosophy and religion classes. I believe that the story of the flood as seen in many texts is just proof that the story is true. I believe after people scattered among the earth they experienced different things but have the same story to tell. Everyone has a different name for God and a different story I believe. I really dont understand your question though but its kinda a good question if i could understand it better

Answer 8

I've done quite a lot of study, sufficient to ignore twitterpated nonsense based on a complete lack of understanding of Christianity in the first place. Please demonstrate, with your alleged "research", that Christianity IS NOT PERMITTED to resemble earlier religions. The Orthodox Church has always been aware of these similarities, and the answer is a hearty "so what?" The similarities only show that God has been prefiguring the Church long before it actually was founded. So what's the big deal with that. Your rubbish is every bit as rational and meaningful a "challenge" as the old "Pascal's Wager" trash.

Answer 9

Thor,
I did after other that don't believe pointed out different things.
I did find eygptian,iraqian,greek,roman infuance .
Did a time reseach on history of religions,looked back at differnt books in the bible that was on same subject and seen why and which one too believe.
But my way of praying before helped and I do realize a great differance and believe different than most Christains anyways.
But too me it ant about religion it is about doing the right thing towards other.etc,...

Answer 10

Gilgamesh is based off of Atra Hasis, so half the stuff in Gilgamesh, like the birds for example, is 1st century BC stuff(actually I meant 1st millennial BC), which is after Moses. Flood myths in general are actually more supportive of the occurence of the Noahic flood, in the forgotten tales of past civilizations, rather than as a theoretical source for Moses. You would have to be pretty ignorant of Moses's writings to claim otherwise. As for Horus, did he give his life to save mankind from its sins? No.