Baidarka

Promises from God and glorious prophesies are powerful tools for attracting converts and giving cult members hope, but when the expected space ship or other wondrous occurrence fails to materialize by the expected date the faith of even the most gullible cultists is tried to the utmost. Such traumas can dissolve the beautiful promises of the cultic mirage.
It is only by the application of the most creative apologetic fictions that a cult can continue or be reborn.

As an example the Bar-Kochbar revolt:

Bar-Kochbar led a revolt against the Roman oppressors during the first half of the second century. He was declared Moshiach by no less an authority then Rabbi Akiva. Victories against the evil ungodly Roman savages were assured by God and prophesy. Bar-Kochbar was crucified and Rabbi Akiva was skinned alive with iron combs. This was not just a blow against a people but it was a blow against religious belief.

If God is all powerful how is it that the efforts of his most faithful followers can come to such a futile and horrific conclusion? How is it that holy prophesies can be so false. To defend religion against uncomfortable reality the most creative apologetics must be employed. Later generations of rabbis accused Bar Kochbar of the murder of a holy man to explain why God withdrew his support.

The first century destruction of the Temple and the extermination of the people of Jerusalem brought an end to the temple cult and threatened to end belief in any form of Judaism and the Jewish God.
How could the all powerful God of the universe allow his temple, his holy city and his chosen people to be destroyed by uncircumcised, swine eating barbarians? How could God forget his covenant with Israel?
This was not just a national disaster it was also a theological crisis.
One possible solution to the problem would be the discovery of a crime so hideous that it could justify divine wrath.
This then was the original function of the Jesus myth.
The High Priest, whose primary function was to pray for the people and to offer their sacrifices to God, did not recognize God's Moshiach when he came and he handed the Son of David over to the Romans for Crucifixion. In this way Israel's defeat could be blamed on an unpopular high priest who was seen as a collaborator with the hated Roman authorities.
This self defeating myth was then seized by Israel’s enemies and extrapolated into the anti-Semitic Christian cult.

slimliving4god

I dont think I understand your question. It sounds like your question is:
Where is God when bad things happen? But, I am not sure what really is your question about the "Jesus myth" and if your question is: Why did God allow that to happen? Why do you think "God" did allow that to happen?

rlogan

Hello slimlivingforgod. Welcome to IIDB. Best board on the planet.


Baidarka doesn't really have a question. It is a proposal.

So Baidarka - I have often thought of the temple destruction as an event giving birth to the new religion.