(August 24, 2013 at 9:16 pm)smax Wrote: I think you are looking at this the wrong way. Lots of people are committed to causes of all sorts, and lots of traditions and cultural customs are based on things widely accepted to be fictional.Well, muslims are usually doing the killing. And if it is martyrdom they were opting, its for 40 virgins.... not the long dead mohammad.
Muslims believe in the Prophet Muhammed and they die all the time for the cause of following him.
Also, Gods of all different religions and beliefs have shaped the world's calendars, observances, and practices.
No, the real question is, if Jesus Christ really did rise from the dead, why are any other religions or beliefs considered by anyone?
The truth is, most people do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, and the lack of any compelling evidence is a big reason why.
Like I said, Muslims die all the time for their cause, and they are merely one of many examples. Sadly, a person's willingness to sacrafice their own life for a silly and baseless cause, and even suffer doing so, isn't as rare as it should be.
I understand lack of evidence! But Jesus also represented a unique set of ideals and a pathway to God. Death to the flesh was just a part of it. Granted a big part.... but because we all die it wasn't the end justifying the means. The bigger picture prevails in the complete message.
(August 24, 2013 at 9:16 pm)smax Wrote: Too funny, man. Seriously. Their are 27 New Testament books clearly in existence, and there were hundreds of other books written by Christian writers during the timeframe in question.The church spent a lot of time reflecting on those writings.... but actually no one cares. At least, not the ones "needing" evidence!
No, the problem isn't that Christians were persecuted, although they were. The problem is that Christians chose to destroy their own writings because of doctrinal issues that the numerous books raised, as well as other concerns. However, none of these were books that would have carried any significant historical value. They were fictional accounts just like the gospels.
While we are on the subject, however, I do agree that a lot of important books have been destroyed over the centuries in an attempt to cover up stuff that would otherwise have a signficant impact on what people believe. Elders within the Catholic Church have written about many wrong doings, cover ups, and lies that they have perpetuated as "protectors of the faith", and many of those documents have been destroyed.
Most nonbelievers I've encountered want 3rd party writings. An unearthed copy of The Jewish Gazette would've got more kudos than the bible...if there were one giving Jesus' obit, and subsequent rising!
Quis ut Deus?
