How did the myth of Jesus' resurrection originate?

[Godscreated]

Indeed if all four were exactly the same, you'd claim it was invented by one person and then copied verbatim by others.

Of course we would; that would be what anyone would assume if the accounts were identical. The fact that the accounts are similar on many of the main points yet vary on the details does not, to me, strike me as out of the ordinary for the circumstances described. The event that they describe is the issue, and if we were to consider it for any other person than Jesus, it wouldn't be too difficult to come up with a plausible explanation that does not involve a resurrection or the appearance of supernatural beings.

I think too much is made of the discrepancies in the details of a group of stories whose most critical points are made third-hand and from memories of events that are at least more than a decade past. It is pretty easy to piece together a more plausible story from what is written. Nor is it difficult to imagine motivations for inventing such a story.

I tend to agree with you on most of your statements. The one I have trouble with is about inventing the story. If it were the priest or other authorities I could see it being possible. But, with the common man, who is going to believe tax collectors and fisherman, none had note worthy positions in the community.
The priest and other religious would be able to keep themselves from harm since they basically controlled the religious community where all the problems for the apostles originated. Why would these men invent a story that would cost them their lives or no less than great trouble with the religious community, a community of men that were able to bring death to Jesus. They saw this happen and If Christ was dead in the tomb why still His body to eventually bring death to them. In the Book of Acts the priest and Council gave then the opportunity to deny Jesus, yet their response was to go directly to preaching about Jesus even with the threat on there lives. They all died for their beliefs and were poor, so where was the motive.

GC