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CX_Infidel · Jan 23, 2004, 04:52 pm

Greetings All.

I'm one of the moderators of the Biblical Criticism & History forum at Internet Infidels. Sean invited me over here to take a look.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Section 8,)
I read an intertersting article about Jesus, and it reaffirmed my belief about him. Some points to consider.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

If it hasn't been asked already, could we please have a citation for this article?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Section 8,)
1. Many other pagan religions had stories very similar to Jesus, and Jesus has relationships to ancient sun Gods. The religions believe that their savior was crucified and would return etc. This suggests that Jesus is just another myth, of ancient people searching for purpose.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

More often than not, especially on the internet, these similarities are either far overstated or outright fabrications. If you could perhaps cite a few of these similarities the discussion could proceed. That being said, it is not surprising that various religious systems have similarities. Religion, in general, is a cultural response to the commonalities of human experience. Still there are a number of unique points with respect to the gospel stories which are interesting.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Section 8,)
2. The virgin Mary was also a myth commonly held by some pagan religions.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

Actually virgin birth or god-men being born of the union between gods and humans is common. I don't know of any other religion that has a virgin mary. That being said, so what?

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Section 8,)
3. Jesus in the whale represents primitive man attempting to explain light and darkness.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

You're thinking of Jonah in the OT (cf. Jonah 1:17) I'm not sure how the story of Jonah being swallowed by a giant fish can be construed as a cosmological myth so I'd be interested to hear the argument for it. As for Jesus' reference to Jonah in Matthew 12:39-40 (cf. Luke 11:29-30) it's main purpose is to shore up the 3rd day resurrection dogma.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Section 8,)
4. Ancient historians of the time didn't refer to Jesus in their works.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

This is mostly true, though there is considerable controversy. The Testamonium Flavianum is a puzzling exception. Most of the other references offered up by apologists don't hold up under scrutiny.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Section 8,)
5. They symbol of Jesus on the crucifix didn't appear 'till 800 years later.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

This is also true. So what?

Jan 23, 2004, 04:52 pm	#23 (permalink) (top)
CX_Infidel Sedimentary Rock Posts: 4	Greetings All. I'm one of the moderators of the Biblical Criticism & History forum at Internet Infidels. Sean invited me over here to take a look. </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Section 8,) I read an intertersting article about Jesus, and it reaffirmed my belief about him. Some points to consider.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> If it hasn't been asked already, could we please have a citation for this article? </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Section 8,) 1. Many other pagan religions had stories very similar to Jesus, and Jesus has relationships to ancient sun Gods. The religions believe that their savior was crucified and would return etc. This suggests that Jesus is just another myth, of ancient people searching for purpose.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> More often than not, especially on the internet, these similarities are either far overstated or outright fabrications. If you could perhaps cite a few of these similarities the discussion could proceed. That being said, it is not surprising that various religious systems have similarities. Religion, in general, is a cultural response to the commonalities of human experience. Still there are a number of unique points with respect to the gospel stories which are interesting. </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Section 8,) 2. The virgin Mary was also a myth commonly held by some pagan religions.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> Actually virgin birth or god-men being born of the union between gods and humans is common. I don't know of any other religion that has a virgin mary. That being said, so what? </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Section 8,) 3. Jesus in the whale represents primitive man attempting to explain light and darkness.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> You're thinking of Jonah in the OT (cf. Jonah 1:17) I'm not sure how the story of Jonah being swallowed by a giant fish can be construed as a cosmological myth so I'd be interested to hear the argument for it. As for Jesus' reference to Jonah in Matthew 12:39-40 (cf. Luke 11:29-30) it's main purpose is to shore up the 3rd day resurrection dogma. </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Section 8,) 4. Ancient historians of the time didn't refer to Jesus in their works.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> This is mostly true, though there is considerable controversy. The Testamonium Flavianum is a puzzling exception. Most of the other references offered up by apologists don't hold up under scrutiny. </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Section 8,) 5. They symbol of Jesus on the crucifix didn't appear 'till 800 years later.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> This is also true. So what?