Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The Other Michael · 04-08-2006, 09:48 PM

"Never give a sucker an even break." Edward Francis Albee and
W.C.Fields

“There's a sucker born every minute” P. T. Barnum

"I am the Lord thy God" - numerous dieties (or at least their designated spokespersons)

cheers,
Michael

Chili · 04-08-2006, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tovarij

If there was a historical Jesus who did not rise from the dead, why did people make up stories that he did? If there was no historical Jesus in the first place, why would people make them up?

I am not suggesting that Jesus actually existed and rose from the dead, but it is puzzling to me why anyone would invent the story.

Any ideas?

If there is two of you, both of you must die. One of them is who you are and the other is who you think you are.

Jesus came to show us how to do this around midlife and have the best of both worlds after that. At least, his way you won't have any doctor bills to pay (as they say). Is that so wrong?

Thomas II · 04-08-2006, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tovarij

If there was a historical Jesus who did not rise from the dead, why did people make up stories that he did? If there was no historical Jesus in the first place, why would people make them up?

I am not suggesting that Jesus actually existed and rose from the dead, but it is puzzling to me why anyone would invent the story.

Any ideas?

Also, are there modern inventors of religions like that? Any idea why they do it?

To unify a crumbling empire...

Atheist_Forever · 04-09-2006, 12:23 AM

Many religions are made when you need comfort in something. If you didn't know how it rained, it was explained- the gods made it so. It was also good to know SOMEBODY cared about you.

Dargo · 04-09-2006, 06:00 AM

I think some religious stories were probably the result of clergy testing just how gullible their sheep really were and then laughing at the stupidity of their followers. Some of the later tales of Scientology would certainly seem to fall into this category. Hubbard claimed he almost got run over by a freight locomotive on Venus, and that an advanced civilizations used spaceships that looked just like DC-8s with rocket engines instead of jet engines! I find it hard to believe he actually believed this load of crap.

Tigers! · 04-09-2006, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunk

I wasnt trying to offend you. Sorry. Where in the Bible does it say that, id like to read more about this. Thanks.

Try Leviticus Chapter 27

felicitouslut · 04-09-2006, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tovarij

If there was a historical Jesus who did not rise from the dead, why did people make up stories that he did? If there was no historical Jesus in the first place, why would people make them up?

Heat stroke. Todays various Xians are more accurately called "Paulians" (re:Saul/Paul of Tarsus) Jesus himself was actually a fanatical Jew.

I recommend starting with "The Dead Sea Scrolls Deception (or via: amazon.co.uk)" by Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh for an investigative jump off point...if you dion't mind hating deist religions more than you already do.

everettf · 04-09-2006, 06:18 AM

They made up mythical gods or semi-gods like Hercules and others. Why not jesus.

felicitouslut · 04-09-2006, 06:24 AM

I have a tough time believing all religions started from greed. I would guess more of it would be sincere mistakes from things like eating the wrong mushrooms. There's no doubt that historically GREED has consistently MANIPULATED organised religion, I think it largely persists through honest mistake.

Tholzel · 04-09-2006, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinger

I have a question: is there a single major religion in the world today that dosn't make the claim that all money and possessions belong to god.. ?

An underground Christian atheist group calling themselves "The metaphysicians." (See:
http://www.velocitypress.com/pages/MP.php )

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04-08-2006, 09:48 PM	#21
The Other Michael Honorary Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In the fog of San Francisco Posts: 12,631	"Never give a sucker an even break." Edward Francis Albee and W.C.Fields “There's a sucker born every minute” P. T. Barnum "I am the Lord thy God" - numerous dieties (or at least their designated spokespersons) cheers, Michael

04-09-2006, 12:23 AM	#24
Atheist_Forever Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 58	Many religions are made when you need comfort in something. If you didn't know how it rained, it was explained- the gods made it so. It was also good to know SOMEBODY cared about you.

04-09-2006, 06:00 AM	#25
Dargo Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 713	I think some religious stories were probably the result of clergy testing just how gullible their sheep really were and then laughing at the stupidity of their followers. Some of the later tales of Scientology would certainly seem to fall into this category. Hubbard claimed he almost got run over by a freight locomotive on Venus, and that an advanced civilizations used spaceships that looked just like DC-8s with rocket engines instead of jet engines! I find it hard to believe he actually believed this load of crap.

04-09-2006, 06:18 AM	#28
everettf Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: orange county,ca Posts: 630	They made up mythical gods or semi-gods like Hercules and others. Why not jesus.

04-09-2006, 06:24 AM	#29
felicitouslut Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: the balls of the cock that's FXXXing the world Posts: 264	I have a tough time believing all religions started from greed. I would guess more of it would be sincere mistakes from things like eating the wrong mushrooms. There's no doubt that historically GREED has consistently MANIPULATED organised religion, I think it largely persists through honest mistake.

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