Freethought & Rationalism Archive

RareBird · 11-25-2007, 02:54 PM

I voted for number 3 (under the assumption that he actually existed, which may not be so).

hatsoff · 11-25-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApostateAbe

PIWA is more popular than I thought. That is my choice.

Mine, too. He might be called a "revolutionary," but I think that term overstates the impact he has on his own generation. "Preacher" sounds more appropriate. However, I'm not convinced he was an itinerant, nor that his preaching was wholly apocalyptic. Even so, PIWA is closest to what I think about him, given the list above.

ahdenai · 11-25-2007, 05:29 PM

you left out "PITA" -- as in, royal PITA.

mit · 11-25-2007, 06:23 PM

I selected PIWA as well although I agree with others and a "Not enough evidence to tell either way" option was needed

Lucretius · 11-26-2007, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skepticalbip

You left out an option for what I think he was too.

- one of many of the many messianic preachers of the time (or a compilation of several of them) that later writers attributed the usual divine characteristics to. (e.g. Nero was claimed to be divine, born of a virgin, and to preform miracles.)-

Me too so count that as another vote for this non existent category
I have to admit thought that I am pretty agnostic between this position and the completely MJ but tend to think that PERHAPS the messianic preacher or group of preachers (not that I think they were organized as such by the way,althought that would be an interesting concept ) seems the most reasonable position to take.

gurugeorge · 11-26-2007, 07:38 AM

I voted for "mystery cult" as it's the closest to what I think, but it's kind of misleading. What I really think is that he was originally a revision of the very concept of the Messiah itself, in a way that lent itself to becoming something like a Jewish version of a mystery cult (from what we know of them, which isn't much) - i.e. a sort of private relationship with a deity - in a social context that stands apart from the normal social religious forms that are to do with furthering the well being of the community - that grants salvation to the individual.

Clivedurdle · 11-26-2007, 11:15 AM

Amalgam of Roman literary figure and mythical elements?

View Poll Results: what was the origins of jc/christianity
JC was the Son of God	4	6.45%
JC was a wonderworker and sage	0	0%
JC was a revolutionary, socially & or religious, peaceful or violent	5	8.06%
JC was a PIWA, [preaching itinerant Jewish apocalypticist	23	37.10%
JC was the title of the leader/leaders of a Jewish messianic sect [i.e Essene or other group]	3	4.84%
He was a MJ of a Greek/Judean hybred fertility/solar cult	3	4.84%
an MJ within a hybred of Greek/Judean platonic/logos philosophy	6	9.68%
a MJ of a Greek/Judean mystery cult [a.k.a sublunar god]	11	17.74%
the MJ was a symbol of a revolutionary political/social movement	0	0%
JC was a literary device in political satire and a roman invention [dating from the 1st to 3rd C]	7	11.29%
Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll

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11-25-2007, 02:54 PM	#11
RareBird Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 4,607	I voted for number 3 (under the assumption that he actually existed, which may not be so).

11-25-2007, 05:29 PM	#13
ahdenai Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: migrant worker, US Posts: 2,845	you left out "PITA" -- as in, royal PITA.

11-25-2007, 06:23 PM	#14
mit Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 46	I selected PIWA as well although I agree with others and a "Not enough evidence to tell either way" option was needed

11-26-2007, 07:38 AM	#16
gurugeorge Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London, UK Posts: 3,210	I voted for "mystery cult" as it's the closest to what I think, but it's kind of misleading. What I really think is that he was originally *a revision of the very concept* of the Messiah itself,** in a way that lent itself to becoming something like a Jewish version of a mystery cult (from what we know of them, which isn't much) - i.e. a sort of private relationship with a deity - in a social context that stands apart from the normal social religious forms that are to do with furthering the well being of the community - that grants salvation to the individual.

11-26-2007, 11:15 AM	#17
Clivedurdle Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 16,024	Amalgam of Roman literary figure and mythical elements?

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