jimit
|
Re: Christianity invented by Romans!
Oct 10, 2013, 16:42
|
It might be worthwhile reading "Forged" by Bart D. Ehrman Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina (Harper One ISBN 978-0 06-201262-3) who discusses the "Pseudo" writings of the early church.
Jimit
|
Astralcat
|
Re: Christianity invented by Romans!
Oct 10, 2013, 17:18
|
|
Other opinions are of course, available.
|
Astralcat
|
Re: Christianity invented by Romans!
Oct 10, 2013, 17:19
|
|
Mustard wrote: Astralcat wrote: Mustard wrote: Astralcat wrote: Mustard wrote: Astralcat wrote: I agree about Tacitus. I was merely making the point that there is a written reference to his existence. He was a bit of a one, old Tacitus, but it wasn't all bollocks.
Nowt wrong with Tacitus as a source necessarily, but there's a distinct possibility that his writings were tinkered with.
See edited post :-)
Ordinarily, I'd agree. But then there are a number of inconsistencies in the account that also don't really add up. Ultimately, I don't think it matters that much. Modern Christianity is so far removed from anything that the historical Christ *may* have taught, it barely matters whether he actually existed or not.
I agree re. the legacy/history of the majority of Christianity through the ages. As for his existence ? I think so, but the message has been so perverted and distorted that in its existent form it bears very little relevance anyway.
Hmmm. We seem to totally agree. How dull! ;p
Ha! Om Shanti dude :-)
|
Astralcat
|
Re: Christianity invented by Romans!
Oct 10, 2013, 17:26
|
|
tjj wrote: aaroneous g wrote:
There are some marked similarities between the early followers of Jesus and the philosophical movement of Cynicism .. quite a lot to read in link below. If you make it to the end there is a section on the influence of the Cynics on the early Christians. Do I believe Jesus actually existed as a historical figure ... yes I think I do but with a lot of myth thrown into the mix for good measure.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynicism_(philosophy)
Sorry, link seems a bit tenuous.
Official 'Christianity' was deliberately dressed up in 'Pagan' symbolism re. the Goddess and the dying son/God King anyway. Smart move!
|
Sin Agog
|
Re: Christianity invented by Romans!
Oct 10, 2013, 17:51
|
Didn't Josephus reference Jèsus at some point? Admittedly, he's an even less reliable source than Tacitus*?
Yep, he did. Probably.
*by the by, there's a speech in his book on the Roman-British confrontation attributed to a British general Calgacus that was likely never said but it's a wonderfully stirring piece of writing. It's also one of the earliest sources on England. Read it here.
|
Robot Emperor
|
Edited Oct 11, 2013, 10:33
Re: Christianity invented by Romans!
Oct 11, 2013, 10:26
|
|
aaroneous g wrote:
Romans would of made a better job of it, left out all the revolutionary bits. Chosen something more given to creating a Theocracy, things that ironically Christianity spent much of its time destroying.
Wouldn't of made much difference what Religion gained the upper hand. The problem is the believer and they display similar behaviour no matter who they think is sitting upstairs. The best religions are the ones that leave no written records, allowing us to make it all up.
|
Captain Starlet
|
Re: Christianity invented by Romans!
Oct 11, 2013, 12:05
|
|
Seems pretty preposterous from the face of the article as simply put Jesus was executed for crimes against the state per se. A Roman would certainly have not have come up with a character who was considered an equal son of God such as Caesar, died and came back from the dead to conquer Caesar to suppress any uprisings etc, so I can't see this as being valid in any way as present, but then I've not read the whole thing and will have to wait, but doesn't make sense
|
handofdave
|
Re: Christianity invented by Romans!
Oct 11, 2013, 16:01
|
There probably was a real rabbi named Joshua who challenged the authority of the Jewish subordinates of Rome... who was subsequently mythologized.
But all of this just reinforces what the truly wise have known all along... the emphasis should be put on the intention of a belief system, not the figurehead it's built around.
The supernatural crap, of course, is pure fabrication.
|
