Mageth

Show me one other human figure in history that has made the impact and had the following that Jesus had, that didn't actually exist.

Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Moses all come to mind, as the first three are absolutely myths and the last two are at least equally as mythical (or legendary) as Jesus.

Note that I think Jesus may well have been a real person, or even more than one person; I think the description of Jesus and his acts in the Bible is more legendary than pure myth.

Thus I think it may be the legend of Jesus that's made the impact.

Magus55

Yet you don't see people going to church every sunday to worship the legend of Hercules or Zeus. Sorry, try again. And people don't worship Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses etc., and i'd include them in the person of Jesus since they led the way to His life and ministry.

Mageth

Originally posted by Magus55
Yet you don't see people going to church every sunday to worship the legend of Hercules or Zeus.

Those are mythical beings, Magus. Besides, 2000 years ago, Zeus et al had far greater influence in the world, and far more worshippers, than Jesus. The world has changed its taste in mythical figures many times in the past. That doesn't help your case much.

Sorry, try again.

I believe the challenge was to "Show me one other human figure in history that has made the impact and had the following that Jesus had, that didn't actually exist." If you don't think Abraham and Moses in particular have had huge impacts on the world, I'd say even greater than Jesus' (after all, there are three major world religions that sprung from the Abrahamic mythology) I don't know what to say.

And people don't worship Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses etc., and i'd include them in the person of Jesus since they led the way to His life and ministry.

Well, I don't recall claiming anyone did worship the mythical/legendary people I mentioned, Magus. I'm citing them as examples of mythological/legendary characters that have had great influence and have great followings. I'd assume nearly as many Christians believe those legends/myths as believe the Jesus legend/myth.

And you're right, they did lead the way to the Jesus Legend. If the A&E/Noah/Abraham/Moses myths/legends weren't there (i.e. if Hebrew Mythology wasn't there), the Jesus Legend wouldn't be , as the Christian mythology sprung from the Abrahamic mythology, as did Islam mythology. So I'd say again that, since the world owes Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to those myths, Abraham and Moses have had more of a impact on the world than Jesus. Simply put, more people trace their religion back to Abraham and Moses than do to Jesus.

Peter Kirby

On the flip side, Moses wouldn't be nearly as well-known today if it weren't for the characters of Muhammad and Jesus spawning global missionary religions.

best,
Peter Kirby

Doctor X

One can also add the Buddha and Krisna . . . both around and actively worshipped far longer than Junior.

--J.D.

Aerik Von

If Odin and Zeus did not exist. Why do we have the wealth of Greek mythos? People catch hold of a grain of sand and by the end it's a mountain.

Human nature, really.

Aerik Von

Hmmm...obviously you know nothing of pagan/atavistic subculture. Here in NYC Zeus worship is still quite active. They believe a God of his power can manipulate water to create lightning, not so outrageous in the light of a man born twice and died and ressurected.