This guy proved to me that Jesus was just made up and I researched the apologist answers, and then the skeptic sources and I guess he's right - but I don't care!
My pastor told me that I had to still believe anyway because my parents are believers also and I cannot break tradition because it will ruin the economy and democracy, so I decided even though Jesus never was really a person, that I would just keep believing - I mean it's a lot easier to keep believing it, instead of listening and debating against all that reason and logic.
2007-11-11 11:07:58 · 17 answers · asked by The Burninator 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well your preacher is nuts in the head, you breaking from tradition will not ruin the economy or democracy in the least, i think he is worried there will be a little less money coming in from you if you leave. if you do not believe as a christian then why would you go to church and listen to stuff you no longer believe in??
2007-11-11 12:04:19 · answer #1 · answered by mindy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one can choose your religion for you.
If your parents are forcing you to attend religous services, then fine. You have to attend, at least if your under 18, or they have some form of debt over your head (student loans??).
That being said, Jesus is only one facet of God. God has three beings in one- the Holy Spirit, Jesus, And God himself. The purpose of Jesus was to set an example for Christians. Even if Jesus had not existed, that does not disprove the existence of God the father and the Holy Spirit. Also, the Bible has more validity than many other texts- such as Homer's Odyssey. The Bible was copied several times over, several more than the Odyssey. The difference in these copies of the Bible is very minute, whereas the Odyssey shows much greater differences in transcriptions. Yet people believe that the Odyssey still contains the same story that it used to. Why wouldn't the Bible?
Also, you could have a genuine faith in the Bible, and feel the Holy Spirit throughout your life.
Anyway...
You can't let someone choose what you believe in. You also have to view both sides of the argument involving the existence of Jesus Christ. You can't just listen to a friend and then read articles that prove that argument. but you also need to find articles that attempt to disprove that argument. perhaps see what people in your church have to say about these facts. They should not be afraid...
I'll add more when I get back-have to run SORRY!
2007-11-11 19:24:00 · answer #2 · answered by keybowvio 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You crack me up. First--you say Christ was made up--even though historically he was recorded. (So I guess if someone told you that George Washington wasn't the first president you couldn't be an american right?) And if your pastor told you you had to believe because your parents believe it---you need to RUN--not walk away from that church. Ruin an economy and democracy? Where do you attend corporate worship and which denomination do you align yourself with? Personally, I think you should stop listening to the foolishness that your pastor is espousing and the foolishness that the skeptics are espousing and the reasons the apologists are giving you. Look to the scriptures and look for the answers.
Just my opinion....Thanks for the opportunity to answer this really weird question.
2007-11-11 19:16:35 · answer #3 · answered by oph_chad 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How did "this guy" prove to you that Jesus didn't exists. Even historical records, not the Bible, record of a man named Jesus lived. You are trying to find a way to disprove Jesus, so you believe what "some guy" told you. You are confused and need to go back and read your Bible and pray to God for guidance. Skeptic sources? That name speaks volumes. If you don't believe in Jesus, just say so, don't blame others for their ideas, because if you really believed, then nothing could change your mind. You can't just "keep believing" either you believe or you don't.
2007-11-11 19:19:21 · answer #4 · answered by jenx 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt all of your points:
1. Nobody could have proved to you that he didn't exist. He was definitely a historical figure.
2. No pastor in his right mind would have told you you had to believe because your parents believed.
3. No pastor in his right mind would have told you you had to believe in order to keep the economy and democracy going.
4. If you are a sane person you wouldn't keep believing for the reason you mention, you would chuck it all.
5. The whole tone of your comment makes me think of an expression I have learned on Yahoo Answers: "trolling".
2007-11-11 19:13:40 · answer #5 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It seems like your trolling...
But hey... if Jesus never existed, I would follow His teaching (which obviously exist) anyway. I believe that the way he said to live and treat others is the right way.
However, if Jesus had NOT existed, and therefore never returned from the dead... the disciples would have known. No one will die for something he knows is a lie. The fact that all of the apostles were willing to die horrible deaths, refusing to renounce their faith in Christ – is tremendous evidence that they had truly witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2007-11-11 19:22:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I can't believe what you are saying here, either you believe or don't, what effect will that have on the economy?
If you are convinced and believe that Jesus doesn't exist than you aren't a Christian and it would be a lie to say so.
*EDIT- There are many Atheist who don't beleive in Jesus or God, yet they know from hisorical records that the PERSON of Jesus did in fact exist.
2007-11-11 19:12:26 · answer #7 · answered by Jaye16 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you consider names and locations in the Bible relating to the story of Christ as being real , surely they would have no reason to make him up. Even opponents of Christianity have attested to the existence of Christ, like Roman historian Tacitus. First ventury Jewish historian Josephus referred to the stoning of "James, the brother of Jesus who was called the Christ."
His teachings and life's work have had too much an impact on moral, ethical and wordings of the law to be made up.
2007-11-11 19:31:37 · answer #8 · answered by Kurt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. If Jesus never existed then anyone who believes in him would be a fool. You see, Jesus' work, his life and death, actually accomplished something. It brought salvation to the world, a means of putting us right with God the Father. So without Jesus we would still be in sin and have no relationship to God.
It's fortunate that you are wrong about Jesus never having existed. He is more real than you are, my friend.
2007-11-11 19:12:43 · answer #9 · answered by William D 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Dude, what crap did he show you? Jesus is not made up if you read up on recent discoveries it shows that more and more of what had been told in the bible is true. Even some evolutionists change their theories to fit it closer to the bible because the bible is all true! The bible can be proven and you should want to believe because you know that JESUS DIED FOR YOU ON THE CROSS TO PAY FOR YOUR SINS AND ONE DAY YOU'LL BE WITH HIM IN HEAVEN!!!
2007-11-11 19:15:13 · answer #10 · answered by canha30 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋