Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Clivedurdle · 01-30-2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOpenMind
Christian agnostic here.

Christ is a myth? Hardly for >90% serious historians. He's as historical as Sokrates and Buddha. (OMG did I just ask for it??? Duck! There are things you just don't say on II...)

(On PA)

Do we need a parallel thread outlining this?

I have loads of stuff flowing around in my head but I am not sure I could summarise it briefly and succinctly!

Clivedurdle · 01-30-2006, 11:43 AM

This is from my memory and imagination.

A Jewish sect started calling themselves xian (followers of the messiah - meaningless) and wrote the Didache about 80CE. They come to the notice of Pliny about 100. Josephus doesn't mention them. References to Jesus added later to Josephus.

They have an innovative idea of a once for all sacrifice in heaven - Hebrews also about this time, with Revelation (which was originally by a Jewish priest after the destruction of the Temple) and later editing xianises it.

Paul or possibly Marcion also post 100 discusses a Christ figure in heaven - words Jesus added in later.

About 60 CE Seneca (or another highly skilled playwrite) had written a passion play, that gets added to - there might be signs of very sophisticated Roman tampering.

Gospels and Acts early mid 2nd century - could they be later? Sermon on mount etc from various wisdom and cynic and epicurean type sources.

Cross also added much later.

"Lord Jesus Christ" is meaningless - Yhwh, Saviour Messiah, a series of nouns, not a name.

Rituals have mythical content - Pilate, born of a virgin, suffered and died, according to the flesh, that sound superb sung in synagogues when drunk with wine and using holy annointing that probably contained cannabis.

300 years of editing and chinese whispers and slight tweaks to meaning...

Roman Emperor gets religion.

jjramsey · 01-30-2006, 12:04 PM

How much of that description is serious and how much is tongue-in-cheek?

Clivedurdle · 01-30-2006, 12:35 PM

All serious actually.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-30-2006, 11:43 AM	#2
Clivedurdle Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 16,024	This is from my memory and imagination. A Jewish sect started calling themselves xian (followers of the messiah - meaningless) and wrote the Didache about 80CE. They come to the notice of Pliny about 100. Josephus doesn't mention them. References to Jesus added later to Josephus. They have an innovative idea of a once for all sacrifice in heaven - Hebrews also about this time, with Revelation (which was originally by a Jewish priest after the destruction of the Temple) and later editing xianises it. Paul or possibly Marcion also post 100 discusses a Christ figure in heaven - words Jesus added in later. About 60 CE Seneca (or another highly skilled playwrite) had written a passion play, that gets added to - there might be signs of very sophisticated Roman tampering. Gospels and Acts early mid 2nd century - could they be later? Sermon on mount etc from various wisdom and cynic and epicurean type sources. Cross also added much later. "Lord Jesus Christ" is meaningless - Yhwh, Saviour Messiah, a series of nouns, not a name. Rituals have mythical content - Pilate, born of a virgin, suffered and died, according to the flesh, that sound superb sung in synagogues when drunk with wine and using holy annointing that probably contained cannabis. 300 years of editing and chinese whispers and slight tweaks to meaning... Roman Emperor gets religion.

01-30-2006, 12:04 PM	#3
jjramsey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tallmadge, Ohio Posts: 808	How much of that description is serious and how much is tongue-in-cheek?

01-30-2006, 12:35 PM	#4
Clivedurdle Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 16,024	All serious actually.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.