Freethought & Rationalism Archive

JERDOG · 08-23-2003, 02:18 PM

I know the Jesus/Pagan similarity issue has been beaten and dragged through the dirt here many times. However there is one specific aspect of the argument I want to focus on. The most damning argument in support of Jesus being a rip off from earlier pagan beliefs is Justin Martyr's claim that satan commited diabolical mimicry by plagiarizing by anticipation. His absurd claim admits that the similarities strongly exist. In fact they exist so much, which is why he has to make the absurd claim in the first place.

Quote:

He says in fact that Christianity is not the new religion in this process, they're the old truth. They're a part of the oldest form of religious life in the world and the mystery cults as they tend to be called, are the ones who are the imitators of Christianity. In fact he even says it's a kind of satanic conspiracy to make them look too much like Christianity so the poor ignorant pagans will be duped into following false religion instead of true Christianity. But the key point is there are similarities and the similarities are notable.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl.../kingdoms.html

Even this Christian website admits Justin's claims of diabolical mimicry.

http://www.gospelcom.net/chi/EARLYF/jm2.shtml

It seems to me that the apologetic argument can be one of two things.
1) deny that Justin said these things
2) try to support his claim.

I think to try and deny that he made these claims is futile and to try and support his claim is absurd.
So what is the apologetic response to this?

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