(February 12, 2013 at 12:34 am)apophenia Wrote: Given what I've read, I'm inclined to conclude that Jesus never existed (in the way portrayed in the Gospels; if a person upon whose life the accounts were based existed, that doesn't make 'Jesus' any more real, because the character of Jesus is these legends, not that other man).
Good point.
(February 12, 2013 at 12:01 am)Drich Wrote: If they 'honestly did' then why was your first response to dodge the question and difer to wiki?
I didn't feel I was dodging the question. There are multiple narratives of Jesus. I mentioned the bible and Quran as two examples, then provided a link to all of the examples when you asked which one contained the narrative of his life. I don't feel there is one that does.
(February 12, 2013 at 1:30 am)Darkstar Wrote:(February 11, 2013 at 11:56 pm)naimless Wrote: I don't know. Top sportsmen and sportswomen have superstitions. It's as if a part of the mind needs to be settled in order for them to perceive a 100% positive outcome, because a positive outcome isn't realistic and it could equally be negative.
Yet the blind belief in that positivity scientifically makes it more probable to happen because of visualisation. I think it is the same for some people believing in Jesus.
It isn't logically true. But, if that part of the brain has it settled that it is true then it makes a shitload of life a lot easier.
That is true, but no matter how hard you believe in god, it won't make him real. Also, there is a considerable difference between superstitions about sports and the unshakeable belief that someone is divinity on earth.
I watch professional sports on a regular basis. I'd say 90% of the top sports people that I watch believe in god. I think saying a prayer before a match starts is similar to putting the left boot on before the right one. For the rest of the match they will understand that cause and effect is what determines the result. But before and after it their mind needs to go to another place.
