Jesus was/wasn't a historical figure
Posted on: June 19, 2007 - 8:09am
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Jesus was/wasn't a historical figure
I only recently was introduced to the idea that Jesus never actually existed, and have since read and heard stuff that supports this. But I'm finding that Most non religious people like myself still find it hard to believe. The general opinion is still that even though he wasn't the son of any God, he was still an actuall historical figure.
My question is, does anyone here think that Jesus existed? if so, why? What evidence is there? I haven't read any of the forum yet, I'm just anxious to get this off my shoulders, so if it's a topic that doesn't belong on this particular board, or it's been done to death, then poos.
Wish in one hand, shit in the other, see which one fills up first.
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I have been hemming and hawing about this as well, and, like you, I just joined also. The co-founder of this site makes a very good case for non-existence of the Biblical version of Jesus. In the Apocrypha, there is a statement, and I don't remember where it is located, and my quote is probably way off, but it goes, "There are three men who go by the name of Jesus, and they say they are the son of God, but they are all false prophets." I think that there was probably some nut named Jesus who probably achieved as much acclaim as Benny Hinn does now, and maybe they crucified some minor figure named Jesus, and since this one particular Jesus stood out in their minds so much, three hundred years later, when the Romans decided to invent the ultimate fairytale, it was convenient for them to use this guy as a figurehead.
"Who, like some evil Atlas, turned the world upside down upon their shoulders, and made shams and delusions into absolute truths, and absolute truths into inviolate heresy?" Elliot Merrick, True North (this may be a misquote, but is close, I don't have th
There's a whole forum called "Jesus Mythicist" that deals with this. Can read a whole lot there. I would say this is ok to be posted ehre, as you addressed it to non-believers, and that forum has theists postin there too. Welcome!
Matt Shizzle has been banned from the Rational Response Squad website. This event shall provide an atmosphere more conducive to social growth. - Majority of the mod team
I personally held the same beliefs you do at one time, but then I head the mythicst postion i realized that if i applied the same reasoning to jesus as i did for my reason for atheism then i must admit that they are right. If you look at it from the idea that there is absolutely not contemporay evidence for jesus and also look at it from somethign must be proven before it can be believed. It logically follows that their postion is the most rational postion to hold. Maybe rook will be able to explain why its more logical to believe their postion then someone elses. (sorry rook if my reason for having the same view as you on jesus is erroraneous).
My belief on the subject is that I don't know enough to formulate a solid opinion yet, although I am biased towards accepting the "jesus doesn't exist" side simply because the idea pleases me. I think it's because I generally find the whole fear based recruitment system (follow us or face enternity in Hell, suffering acute pain and torment)that Christianity and other similar religions employ to be rotten and vile. any chink in their armor is to be celebrated
Wish in one hand, shit in the other, see which one fills up first.
oh, yea, and thanks Matt for pointing that out. Now I feel like a diddle
That is why the theist believes in God; it makes 'em feel good. It is broken down logic. I suggest you follow the evidence and come to a more informed conclusion.
2 starting points(aside from here):
www.jesusneverexisted.com
www.jesuspuzzle.com
What is the purpose of tolerating theism
I didn't say I believed it simply because it makes me feel good, I also mentioned earlier something along the lines that in order to believe either way I would need all the facts, but that I prefered one of them over the other. That doesn't mean I'll ignore contradicting evidence. I think you made a false analogy.
Wish in one hand, shit in the other, see which one fills up first.
What sort of 'historical figure' do you mean? Clearly he couldn't be anything similar to the gospel account, so what sense does it make to say jesus 'existed'?
I deal with this issue here:
http://www.rationalresponders.com/jesus_vs_paul_bunyan"Hitler burned people like Anne Frank, for that we call him evil.
"God" burns Anne Frank eternally. For that, theists call him 'good.'
Yes, but I don't.
There's evidence, but nothing that a court of law would accept as proof.
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If you'd like to follow Brian Flemming's journey when he went looking for the historical jesus, watch The God Who Wasn't There.
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