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dizzie56
To me, this doesnt make sense. The Ceasars thought of themselves as Gods, why on earth would they want to make up a religion that takes away from themselves? And in fact, they made it a point to continue to persecute Jews and the Christians that the article said the Romans invented. If the Ceasars had that big of an ego I highly doubt that they would be willing to detract from that over some very small squirmishes that erupted and were put down by the time the historical Jesus had appeared.
I personally believe that the author of the article that was mentioned has just read to much into Josephus and is looking for something, an agenda if you will. Kind of like what some of the Evangelicals did in the "Great Awakenings" here in America by looking and trying to find prophecy that went hand in hand with each other in the old and new testament in order to prove the world was ending.
Needless to say, I would like to here what the author has to say on the historical Jesus. Sometimes in here something we dont want to listen to we learn something new.
It's also probably true to say that if indeed it were the case that jesus was a fictional character, it would undermine at least 2 of the worlds major religions, and therein lies the problem with addressing anything of this nature: if a belief system is undermined it also undermines everything about a persons life when they have invested heavily into a belief system.
Freeborn
reply to post by budski
It's also probably true to say that if indeed it were the case that jesus was a fictional character, it would undermine at least 2 of the worlds major religions, and therein lies the problem with addressing anything of this nature: if a belief system is undermined it also undermines everything about a persons life when they have invested heavily into a belief system.
And that my friend is at the very crux of the matter.
Not only does it undermine everything a hell of a lot of individuals have invested in it also undermines the very foundations of our societies.
Regardless of our individual faith it is impossible to deny that Christianity has helped shape and define our laws and cultures and collective psyche.
And it's undeniable that Islam penetrates every aspect of Islamic life.
If Jesus didn't exist or his divinity proven false then it brings into question the very fundamentals upon which 'Western', 'Orthodox' and Islamic societies were founded.
On the other hand, it could indeed force people in to putting the message first - and to be honest, I've never bought into the 'your reward is after you die' bollocks, but that's just my personal take on things.
Freeborn
I've never bought into the 'your reward is after you die' bollocks, but that's just my personal take on things.
Angelic Resurrection
Freeborn
I've never bought into the 'your reward is after you die' bollocks, but that's just my personal take on things.
Its not reward after you die.
You have this life, but there is also a life to come which will be eternal,
and only Jesus can reward you that thru His Shed Blood and His Mighty Grace
Logarock
reply to post by budski
There is really nothing to all this. Its certainly not the work of anything that could be called an historian. In fact I will go so far as to say its stupid.
SKUNK2
reply to post by undo
christianity is all just one big joke.
To me this is another aspect of social control, and nothing else: "Behave yourself, and you'll live forever, but if you're bad you'll also live forever, but will suffer through it".
budski
grandmakdw
Question:
How is the issue of the persecution of Christians by the Roman government solved in this equation?
If as you assert, the Romans invented Christianity to pacify the people then why turn around and kill thousands who convert?
If you read back very carefully you'll find that I made no assertions.
I say very carefully because you seem to be confusing me with the man who actually made assertions.