Great video on the origins of christianity

[_The Nehor]

All kinds of errors.

If this is allowed into the debate every one of Nibley's should be allowed in to.....along with a ton of Faith Promoting Rumors.

I would only hope you have done the research to back up this statement, and not relied upon very flawed Christian apologetics.. Yes, there are quite a few questionable points made. and possible even a few unknowns stated as facts - not unlike Nibley - but the core of the message has no argument - modern Christianity is based entirely on ancient mythology - weather you trace it back to Greek/Coptic or Egyptian the facts are the facts -

There is truth to that but the question is whether these myths came about because of the Gospel or the Gospel came about because of them. If you don't believe in God and the primordial origin of the Gospel then you have to accept the latter by default.

My faith teaches that God has inspired Prophets in all nations so I would expect truth to come from all nations. I imagine that even if Christianity were not prevalent the same stories would keep cropping up.

That is a very ignorant argument Nehor and I expected better from you. The latter statement is, well...just laughable.

Since we have no way of knowing where Egyptian, Babylonian, Druidic, Indian, etc. religious beliefs came from my guess is as good as yours. I think it's better but I might be biased.

[_keene]

Traditionally atonement has been applied to a belief in sin and reconciliation of man to God. This is partly intrinsic and partly extrinsic. God is part of the equation/formula. Otherwise we have a bunch of new age mumbo jumbo.

Considering astrotheology shows that we're just about entering into a new age, I expect "new age mumbo jumbo" to be precicely te next step.

But what makes you think god is external? A reconciliation of man to the god-force within him would definitely be part of the joy-process. In fact, I think the concept of an external God would again hold you back.

You don't know that God is a purely mythical being. From what we can see, it's a mix of myth/reality. What is the reality? That's where it get's fun, doesn't it?

Myth doesn't entail falsity. Cart before the horse and such.

Regards,
MG

Myths are based on real events, sure. But how can you say that God is not purely mythical? He's as mythical as Zeus, Horus, or any of the other mythical gods. In order to find the reality, one must ask what does the myth represent?

I suppose that's exactly what you were saying, but it seemed unclear to me. So the reality that you are asking for is much the same as the representation of the myth that I am asking for. Is it?

Well, the reality that I believe the myth represents is the finding of hapiness through correct thought, correct action, and psychoactive substances. I say psychoactive substances because of the tradition of sacrifice and sacrament, and I believe they played a very important role in the early definitions of God and his miracles. Correct thought and correct action have always produced happiness, and those can be found in every religion or spiritual practice known.

But in this new age, I think the need for myth has passed. I think we can leave behind the mythical aspects, and focus simply on the reality on which the myth is based. Instead of making the goal to praise a mythical god, praise the practice and the process - the true source of joy, peace, and hapiness. And also, hopefully, bring the psychoactive substances back into the ritual.

[_Some Schmo]

But what did you think of the rest of the information on Astrotheology?

I had always instinctively suspected something along these lines, but seeing the obvious parallels laid out like that was just awesome.

What's your point? What do you think Christianity is? Why would types and shadows of Christ in earth's ancient history, and almost on every continent, negate/destroy his mission of mercy and atonement?

Well, it calls into question his existence, let alone his divinity. I have no idea how anyone could watch that and not realize that the Christ story is a hoax.

I think Christianity is just the latest incarnation of a long tradition of subjugating the masses, plain and simple. What better way to control people while making a monetary killing is there than religion?

Blessed are the meek? I think that says it all.

I have got to get my act together and start my own religion. The question is, how outrageous can I make my story? The more out there, the better, if history has taught us anything.

Thanks for the link, by the way.

[_keene]

I have got to get my act together and start my own religion. The question is, how outrageous can I make my story? The more out there, the better, if history has taught us anything.

You gotta make the myth you start stand for something though. People tend to believe a myth more easily if it follows a representation of their own life.

Which is why I started The Church Of The Giant F*****g Invisible Intangible Spider In My Backyard. The myth so far has representations of the 8 circuit model of consciousness, sex worship, a spirit of fighting authority, and a representation on the silliness of god-figures. I'm working on a history at the moment to build up the myth and create some rituals. Of the rituals I have so far, there's the baptism (surprise juice attack), Marriage, ordination to the priesthood (look to the west and blow out a cigarrette lighter's flame), and a light wednesday practice.

I'm up to about 15 followers.

[_Gazelam]

Which is why I started The Church Of The Giant F*****g Invisible Intangible Spider In My Backyard.

Is this another deity fueled by alcohol consumption, similar to the Great Schmo?

[_keene]

Which is why I started The Church Of The Giant F*****g Invisible Intangible Spider In My Backyard.

Is this another deity fueled by alcohol consumption, similar to the Great Schmo?

Actually, I started this religion a few years before my first alcohol/drug use. This was born merely with a frustration of current religious trends.

[_Livingstone22]

Jesus was born on Dec. 25th? Uhh, not according to the Bible. Not according to anyone who knows history either.

Please cite the verse in the Bible that states the date of Jesus' birth. I'm interested in your historical sources as well.

There are no such verses in the Bible. The best evidence we have is that the shepherds watching over their flock by night (Luke 2:8). I had heard that this indicates that it was not winter.

As to history, I don't have a reference, but I saw both here and read in a non-lds Christian textbook that Dec. 25th was chosen by the Catholics because of existing pagan traditions--you know, the ones that have us cut down evergreen trees. I obviously don't have that reference as it was something I saw in a Dutch Christian school textbook on my mission.

I had always heard that the Catholic Church began celebrating the birth of Jesus at a time in which the non-Christians were already holding their winter solstice celebration (thus to Christianize the Pagan's practices). I honestly thought this was fairly well-known. And, yes, evidence has shown that the events surrounding the birth of Jesus (as reported in the Bible) occurred in the Spring, maybe Fall, but not Winter.

Because of this mistake (among a few others), I cannot take this video seriously, although after studying Religious Studies in college, I do think that religious traditions are very inter-related. But people should do their own research instead on relying on the credibility of videos on the internet.

[_keene]

And, yes, evidence has shown that the events surrounding the birth of Jesus (as reported in the Bible) occurred in the Spring, maybe Fall, but not Winter.

What evidence for which events?

[_Polygamy Porter]

HOLY S***.

WOW.

How many xtians believe the Jesus story as unique? Most, I'd argue.

Oh and it has been fun watching the defenders hear reveal their own fear through their responses on this thread.

[_Polygamy Porter]

And, yes, evidence has shown that the events surrounding the birth of Jesus (as reported in the Bible) occurred in the Spring, maybe Fall, but not Winter.

What evidence for which events?

Soon will the xtian apologists argue that the when, how, where, etc of Jesus' birth does not matter?