Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Magdlyn · 12-10-2007, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agrajag

Firstly I should just like to say that I am a complete idiot!

I thought I'd take the book in question into work with me today to refresh myself on the salient points for some intarwebnet based research.
As I read it I realized that it was not in-fact the book I thought it was...

Somewhere in my addled and prematurely senile brain I had confused 'The Pagan Christ' with Freke and Gandy's 'The Jesus Mysteries (was the original Jesus a Pagan God)'.

Now I bought the 'Pagan Christ' on the back of a burgeoning interest in the subject sparked by TJM and gave up reading it half way through out of bullflop fatigue. That said I instead recommend that people interested save your money, if you're interested buy the 'Jesus Mysteries'.

So anyway I throw myself on your tender mercies and pray to almighty dog that you will forgive my trespasses and spare me the wicked tongue lashings and flames of torment that I so richly deserve.

Jack

The Jesus Mysteries is not very well-regarded here either, as it also contains some mistakes. But I still like it! It put a lot of things in perspective for me when I was first starting Biblical historical research.

Hex · 12-10-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Pearse

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

The mission of The Pagan Christ is not to accelerate Christianity’s slow demise, but to breath new life into its holy book and, in the process, bring the world a richer, more spiritual faith.

Aimed at the da Vinci Code audience.

Undoubtedly. But what a curious claim that is (in italics), if it is by Harpur. Hastening the demise of Christianity is exactly his aim, surely?

All the best,

Roger Pearse

My interpretation is that he's looking to be a bit more gnostic rather than literal in his interpretations. It seems to be a 'get away from the problems that archaeology and historical documentation propose for a literal young earth with it's flood and it's exodus, and get into the more spiritual New Testament' sort of thing.

But then again, it could just be a thinly veiled attempt to lead true beleivers astray, no? :devil:

aa5874 · 12-11-2007, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hex

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Pearse

Undoubtedly. But what a curious claim that is (in italics), if it is by Harpur. Hastening the demise of Christianity is exactly his aim, surely?

All the best,

Roger Pearse

My interpretation is that he's looking to be a bit more gnostic rather than literal in his interpretations. It seems to be a 'get away from the problems that archaeology and historical documentation propose for a literal young earth with it's flood and it's exodus, and get into the more spiritual New Testament' sort of thing.

But then again, it could just be a thinly veiled attempt to lead true beleivers astray, no? :devil:

True believers? All believers believe what they they believe is true. When believers argue, fight and kill one another, it's because of the truth that they all believe.

Agrajag · 12-11-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

True believers? All believers believe what they they believe is true. When believers argue, fight and kill one another, it's because of the truth that they all believe.

Surely that depends on the belief? After-all how can you square the belief that it is wrong to kill and better to forgive, with the view you expressed... and yet Christians profess just such a belief, yet still hold grudges and murder!

Lumping all believers together and tarring them with the brush of fundamentalist behavior is a little too naive dontcha think.
Besides isn't it equally possible that many believers argue, fight and kill one another for entirely different reasons and then use their beliefs to justify their actions?

Not that certain beliefs don't encourage bad behaviors (especially the simple minded exclusionist ones) , but they are seldom the sole cause.

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