Geiger: Does a moral hierarchy exist on religions today? Are some a greater force for good in the world than others or are they essentially moral equivalents? As your book subtitle read, 'God poisions everything.'
Hitchens: Well, should I start with the ‘poisons everything?’ Perhaps I should. Ok, I’ll ask for trouble if I put on a provocative subtitle, but I mean by it, not of course it poisons Chinese food or tantric sex or Niagara falls or something but it does attack us in our deepest integrity. It says we wouldn’t know right from wrong if it wasn’t for divine permission. It immediately makes us, essentially, slaves. And it has to be opposed for that reason. And such a radical frontal attack on human dignity, it seems to me, that it does leach into everything. And it has the effect of making good people say and do wicked things. For example, a morally normal person when presented with a new baby would not set about its genitals with a sharp stone or a knife. He would have to think God needed that. No, it wouldn’t occur to him otherwise. It make intelligent people say stupid things, commits them to saying stupid things such as they are objects of a divine design. As well as being stupid, very conceited by the way. They claim believers to be so modest. That’s what I mean by the poison. And because of that, I do tend to think it applies in general. My younger daughter goes to a Quaker school in Washington, the same one as the president’s children. ... There was a time when the Quakers ran the most sadistic prisons in North America and were fond of excommunicating people for the smallest things such as supporting the American Revolution, for example. If they’d been more powerful, they might have been worse. ... any surrender of reason in favour of faith contains the same danger it seems to me. Fluctuates over time. Before, I’ve been asked in the 1930s what I thought was the most dangerous religion I almost certainly would have said Roman Catholicism because of its then pretty much undisguised alliance with the Fascist parties in Europe, for which it has not yet succeeded in apologizing enough, in my opinion. But has, least admitted it was true. It was very dangerous then. I now think obviously, or rather self-evidently, Wahabbi fundamentalist Islam and its equivalents in messianic Shiism , the Shia equivalent of that Sunni theory, practice, are as dangerous especially because they could get a hold of weapons, or a weapon of mass destruction. So we would find out, with a little speculation, we used to have after lights out when we were young, what would really happen if a really wicked person got a hold of a nuclear bomb and now we’re going to find out. When the messianic meets the apocalyptic, watch out.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
thought of the day.454
Two thousand years ago, people worshiped Osiris, Glycon, Simon, Apollonius of Tyana, Pythagoras, Orpheus, Dionysus, Zalmoxis, Kore, Samothrace, Attis, Adonis, Horus, Mithras and others. Just like Jesus, these gods’ claims to fame included being born of a virgin, walking on water, healing lepers, raising the dead, turning water into wine, and dying and rising again. However, my argument is not that Jesus was copied from “pagan” religions (though these certainly had an influence) but was a character created largely from the Old Testament itself and in particular, the escapades of the god-like characters, Elijah and Elisha.
Elijah is such an important character that he is mentioned 75 times in the Old Testament and 29 times in the New. God promises to send Elijah as a savior (Ml 4:5), an angel says that John the Baptist would have “Elijah’s spirit and power” (Luke 1:17) while Jesus suggests John the Baptist “is Elijah” (Mt 11:14). Jesus says Elijah (as John the Baptist) was mistreated just as he would be mistreated (Mt 17:11-12), speaks about Elijah coming to get everything ready for him (Mt 17:11-12) and compares himself to Elijah and Elisha (Lk 4:25-27). Elijah even makes an appearance and converses with Jesus (Lk 9:30-31). Some people think Jesus is actually Elijah (Mt 16:14) and as Jesus dies, others think he is calling Elijah and that Elijah may come take him down from the cross (Mk 15:35-36). Even the names mean the same thing — Elisha being “God (Jehovah) is salvation” and Jesus, “Jehovah saves” while Elijah is “my God is Jehovah.”
The New Testament accounts are obviously not word for word copies of these earlier stories, but there are over 60 themes common to both Elijah/Elisha and Jesus. When considered collectively, the following comparisons along with parts 2, 3 and 4, are convincing evidence that the Jesus of the bible was not a historical person, but a literary Frankenstein, cobbled together from dozens of pre-existing myths.
1. MIRACLE BABY
Old story: A woman with an old husband was miraculously impregnated with a son by Elisha (2K 4:8-17)
New story.1: A woman with an old husband was miraculously impregnated with a son (John the Baptist) promised to be “like the prophet Elijah” (Lk 1:5-17)
New story.2: A virgin was miraculously impregnated with a son (Jesus) (Lk 1:26-31)
2. FASHIONISTA
Old story: Elisha’s predecessor, Elijah, wore animal skins tied with a leather belt (2K 1:8)
New story: Jesus’ predecessor, John the Baptist, wore animal skins tied with a leather belt (Mk 1:6)
3. PASSING THE MANTEL
Old story: Elijah passed the mantel to Elisha to carry on God’s work (2K 2:9-16)
New story: John the Baptist* passed the mantel to Jesus to carry on God’s work (Lk 3:1-22)
*Elijah (Mt 11:14)
4. BEHEADING
Old story: The king wanted to behead Elisha (2K 6:31)
New story: The king beheaded John the Baptist (Mt 14:10)
5. SENT SAVIOR
Old story: Elijah is to be “sent” to save people from God’s wrath (Ml 4:5-6)
New story: Jesus was “sent” to save people from God’s wrath (Mk 9:37, 16:16)
6. PRECIOUS GIFTS
Old story: Elisha was given precious gifts because of his remarkable power (2K 8:8-9)
New story: Jesus was given precious gifts because of his remarkable power (Mt 2:9-11)
7. HUNTED
Old story: A wicked king ordered an extensive search for Elijah to kill him (1K 18:1-10)
New story: A wicked king ordered an extensive search for Jesus to kill him (Mt 2:3-20)
8. SENT INTO HIDING
Old story: Elijah was commanded by God to travel afar and hide (1K 17:2-3)
New story: Joseph was commanded by God to travel afar and hide Jesus (Mk 1:1)
9. HOLY RIVER
Old story: Elisha received the spirit at the Jordan (2K 2:9)
New story: Jesus received the spirit at the Jordan (Mk 1:1)
10. FORTY DAYS & FORTY NIGHTS
Old story: Elijah went 40 days and nights in the wilderness without food (1K 19:4)
New story: Jesus went 40 days and nights in the wilderness without food (Mt 4)
11. MINISTERING ANGELS
Old story: An angel helped Elijah before his wilderness trip (1K 19:5-9)
New story: Angels helped Jesus after his wilderness trip (Mk 1:12-13)
12. GROUPIES
Old story: Elisha had a group of followers (2K 6)
New story: Jesus had a group of followers (Mk 13)
13. THE CALLING
Old story: Elisha was busy working when called to stop and follow Elijah (1K 19:19-21)
New story: Several men were busy working when called to stop and follow Jesus (Mk 1:16-20)
14. GOODBYES
Old story: Elisha said he would follow Elijah after saying goodbye to his parents (plow in story) (1K 19:20)
New story: A man said he would follow Jesus after saying goodbye to his family (plow in story) (Lk 9:61-62)
15. PROPHET
Old story: Elijah was called a “prophet” (1K 17:1)
New story: Jesus was called a “prophet” (Lk 7:16)
16. MASTER
Old story: A group of men called Elijah, Elisha’s “master” (2K 2:3-5)
New story: A group of men called Jesus, “master” (Mk 13)
17. SERVANT
Old story: Elijah is called God’s “servant” (2K 9:36)
New story: Jesus is called God’s “Servant” (Acts 3:26)
18. YES MAN
Old story: Elijah did as God commanded (2K 1:4)
New story: Jesus did as God commanded (Jn 4:34)
19. GOD’S SPOKESMAN
Old story: Elijah spoke for God (1K 17:1)
New story: Jesus spoke for God (Mt 7:21-23)
20. TRAVELING MAN
Old story: Elijah traveled town to town doing God’s work (1K, 2K)
New story: Jesus traveled town to town doing God’s work (Lk, Mk, Mt, Jn)
21. DRINK OF WATER
Old story: Upon entering a distant town, Elijah asked a woman to “bring me a drink of water”, worked a miracle of abundance and the woman called him a prophet (1K 17:10)
New story: Upon entering a distant town, Jesus told a woman to “give me a drink of water”, promised a miracle of abundance and the woman called him a prophet (Jn 4:5)
22. CROSSING THE WATER
Old story.1: Elijah walked across divided water (2K 2:8)
Old story.2: Elisha walked across divided water (2K 2:14)
New story: Jesus walked across the top of water (Mk 6:45)
23. SEEING IS BELIEVING
Old story: Elisha made the blind see (2K 6:20)
New story: Jesus made the blind see (Mk 8: 21-26)
24. HEALING THE LEPER
Old story: Elisha healed a man with leprosy (2K 5)
New story: Jesus healed a man with leprosy (Mk 1:41)
25. FEEDING THE MULTITUDE
Old story: Elisha used loaves of barley bread (brought to him by another) to feed a multitude and had left overs (2K 4:42-44)
New story: Jesus used loaves of barley bread (brought to him by another) to feed a multitude and had left overs (Jn 6:1-13)
26. VINEYARD MAYHEM
Old story: Elisha says a king will be killed as punishment for wanting to take over a vineyard after the owner was murdered (1K 21:1-19)
New story: Jesus says tenants will be killed as punishment for wanting to take over a vineyard and murdering the owner’s son (Lk 20:9-18)
Note: The words in the new story, “come let us kill him” echo the words of Joseph’s brothers as they plot to kill Joseph: “Come, let us kill him”.
27. ARMY OFFICER
Old story: An army officer approached Elisha for a supernatural healing (2K 5:1-15)
New story: An army officer approached Jesus for a supernatural healing (Mt 8:5-13)
28. SUPERNATURAL KNOWLEDGE
Old story: Elijah knew details of a person’s private life (2K 6:12)
New story: Jesus knew details of a person’s private life (Jn 4:17-18)
29. SUPERNATURAL SIGHT
Old story: Elisha could see a man in another place (2K 5:26)
New story: Jesus could see a man in another place (Jn 1:48-49)
30. IMMINENT SEIZURE
Old story: Elisha knew he was about to be seized (2K 6:30-32)
New story: Jesus knew he was about to be seized (Jn 6:15)
31. COMMANDER OF THE ELEMENTS
Old story: Elijah controlled the weather (1K 17:1)
New story: Jesus controlled the weather (Mk 4:39)
32. AUDIENCE OF THOUSANDS
Old story: All of Israel gathered to hear Elijah (1K 18:19-21)
New story: 5,000 gathered to hear Jesus (Mk 6:30-44)
33. JARS OF WATER
Old story: Elijah instructed people to fill 4 jars with water as part of a miracle (1K 18:33)
New story: Jesus instructed people to fill 6 jars with water as part of a miracle (Jn 2:7)
34. MAGIC NUMBER
Old story.1: Elijah used 12 stones to rebuild the altar (1K 18:32)
Old story.2: Elisha used 12 teams of oxen to plow (1K 19:19)
New story: Jesus used 12 disciples to build the Church (Mt 10:1)
35. FAMILY MATTERS
Old story: Elijah will be sent to unite the family (Ml 4:5-6)
New story: Jesus was sent to divide the family (Mt 7:36)
36. AT THE FOOT OF THE MASTER
Old story: A distraught woman held Elisha’s feet (2K 4:27)
New story: A distraught woman held Jesus’ feet (Lk 7:36)
37. SIGN OF SUBJECTION
Old story.1: A man bowed down before Elijah (1K 18:7)
Old story.2: 50 men bowed down before Elisha (2K 2:15)
New story: A man knelt down before Jesus (Jn 9:38)
38. HEARTLESS DISCIPLES
Old story: Elisha’s servant wanted to push away a mother distraught over her dead child but Elisha worked a miracle (2K 4:27)
New story: Jesus’ disciples wanted to send away a mother distraught over her suffering child but Jesus worked a miracle (Mt 15:21-28)
39. MAGIC MOUNTAIN
Old story: Elijah experienced a supernatural change after he and a servant climbed a mountain (cloud in story) (1K 18:42-46)
New story: Jesus experienced a supernatural change after he and 3 disciples climbed a mountain (cloud in story and Elijah appears) (Mt 17:1-13)
40. WORDS FROM ON HIGH
Old story: Elijah climbed a mountain where God spoke (1K 19:9)
New story: Jesus climbed a mountain where God spoke (Mt 17:5)
41. FINANCIAL WIZARD
Old story: Elisha worked a financial miracle (2K 4:1-5)
New story: Jesus worked a financial miracle (Mt 17: 24)
42. SAVIOR OF THE PARTY
Old story: Elisha transformed food for a group of people (2K 4:38-41)
New story: Jesus transformed water for a group of people (Jn 2:6)
43. GO IN PEACE
Old story: Elisha said “Go in peace.” (2K 5:19)
New story: Jesus said “Go in peace.” (Lk 7:50)
44. PROPHET OF DOOM
Old story: Elijah saw the future and told of coming horrors (2K 8:12)
New story: Jesus saw the future and told of coming horrors (Lk 21:10-33)
45. CURSE OF DEATH
Old story: Elisha’s curse caused death (2K 2:24)
New story: Jesus’ curse caused death (Mk 11:21)
46. RAISING THE DEAD I (The Widow’s Son)
Old story: Elijah raised the dead son of a widow (who meets him at the city gate), gave him to his mother & was called a prophet (1K 17:21)
New story: Jesus raised the dead son of a widow (who meets him at the city gate), gave him to his mother & was called a prophet (Lk 7:11-16)
The Greek for "and he gave him to his mother" is exactly the same in both accounts "kai edoken auton te metri autou".
48. RAISING THE DEAD II (The Child)
Old story: Elisha raised a dead child in a home (2K 4:27-37)
New story: Jesus raised a dead child in a home (Mk 5:22-43)
Note: Jairus means "he awakens" which indicates the name of the father was chosen by the author to fit the story’s theme.
49. RAISING THE DEAD III (The Man in the Tomb)
Old story: Elisha’s bones raised a dead man in a tomb (2 K:21)
New story: Jesus raised a dead man in a tomb (Jn 11)
50. FIRE FROM HEAVEN
Old story: Elijah called down fire from heaven to kill people (2K 1:10)
New story: Jesus’ disciples asked to call down fire from heaven to kill people (Lk 9:54)
51. DUPLICITOUS UNDERLING
Old story: Elisha’s duplicitous servant asked for 3,000 silver coins & suffering followed (2K 5)
New story: Jesus’ duplicitous disciple accepted 30 silver coins & suffering followed (Mt 26:14)
52. TROUBLEMAKER
Old story: Elijah was considered “the worst troublemaker in Israel” (1K 18:17)
New story: Jesus was considered the worst troublemaker in Israel (implied) (Jn 2:13-18, 19:6)
53. WANTED MAN
Old story: The Jewish people wanted Elijah killed (1K 19:10)
New story: The Jewish people wanted Jesus killed (Mt 27:20)
54. HEAVEN BOUND
Old story: It was revealed Elijah would soon ascend to heaven (2K 2: 1-12)
New story: Jesus revealed he would soon ascend to heaven (Jn 20:17)
55. ANGUISHED PRAYER
Old story: Afraid for his life, Elijah went off by himself, sat and prayed for God to take his life and was strengthened by an angel (1K 19:3-6)
New story: Afraid for his life, Jesus went off by himself, knelt and prayed for God not to take his life (but that his will be done) and was strengthened by an angel (Lk 22:39-43)
56. DOUBLE PLEDGE OF LOYALTY
Old story: As Elijah’s “death” approached, Elisha swore (twice) he wouldn’t leave him (2K 2:4-6)
New story: As Jesus’ death approached, Peter swore (twice) he wouldn’t leave him (Mk 14:4-29-31)
57. MOCKED
Old story: Elisha was made fun of (2K 2:23)
New story: Jesus was made fun of (Mk 15:20)
58. DEATH CRY
Old story.1: As Elijah “died,” Elisha cried out, “My father, my father!” (2K:2:12)
Old story.2: As Elisha died, the king cried out “My father, my father!” (2K 13:14)
New story: As Jesus died, he cried out, “My God, my God...” (Mt 27:46)
59. TORN CLOTH
Old story: Upon Elijah’s death, Elisha tore his cloak in two (2K 12)
New story: Upon Jesus’ death, the Temple’s curtain tore in two (Mt 27:51)
60. UP, UP AND AWAY!
Old story: Elijah was visibly taken up to heaven (2K 2:11)
New story: Jesus was visibly taken up to heaven (Lk 24:51)
more to come...
IN CONCLUSION
The True Believer may rationalize all of this away, but there’s no disputing that there is clearly little about Jesus that is unique. Further study of comparative religions reveals Christianity took all of its ideas—from the virgin birth to Jesus’ prophesied thousand year reign—from “pagan” religions. In fact, Christianity IS a pagan religion. It simply has outlasted most of its competition, aided by two millennia of persecuting them.
Further evidences that Jesus is a myth can be found in Part 2: Likely OT Sources, Part 3: Indisputable OT Sources and Part 4: Extra-Biblical Sources.
Elijah is such an important character that he is mentioned 75 times in the Old Testament and 29 times in the New. God promises to send Elijah as a savior (Ml 4:5), an angel says that John the Baptist would have “Elijah’s spirit and power” (Luke 1:17) while Jesus suggests John the Baptist “is Elijah” (Mt 11:14). Jesus says Elijah (as John the Baptist) was mistreated just as he would be mistreated (Mt 17:11-12), speaks about Elijah coming to get everything ready for him (Mt 17:11-12) and compares himself to Elijah and Elisha (Lk 4:25-27). Elijah even makes an appearance and converses with Jesus (Lk 9:30-31). Some people think Jesus is actually Elijah (Mt 16:14) and as Jesus dies, others think he is calling Elijah and that Elijah may come take him down from the cross (Mk 15:35-36). Even the names mean the same thing — Elisha being “God (Jehovah) is salvation” and Jesus, “Jehovah saves” while Elijah is “my God is Jehovah.”
The New Testament accounts are obviously not word for word copies of these earlier stories, but there are over 60 themes common to both Elijah/Elisha and Jesus. When considered collectively, the following comparisons along with parts 2, 3 and 4, are convincing evidence that the Jesus of the bible was not a historical person, but a literary Frankenstein, cobbled together from dozens of pre-existing myths.
1. MIRACLE BABY
Old story: A woman with an old husband was miraculously impregnated with a son by Elisha (2K 4:8-17)
New story.1: A woman with an old husband was miraculously impregnated with a son (John the Baptist) promised to be “like the prophet Elijah” (Lk 1:5-17)
New story.2: A virgin was miraculously impregnated with a son (Jesus) (Lk 1:26-31)
2. FASHIONISTA
Old story: Elisha’s predecessor, Elijah, wore animal skins tied with a leather belt (2K 1:8)
New story: Jesus’ predecessor, John the Baptist, wore animal skins tied with a leather belt (Mk 1:6)
3. PASSING THE MANTEL
Old story: Elijah passed the mantel to Elisha to carry on God’s work (2K 2:9-16)
New story: John the Baptist* passed the mantel to Jesus to carry on God’s work (Lk 3:1-22)
*Elijah (Mt 11:14)
4. BEHEADING
Old story: The king wanted to behead Elisha (2K 6:31)
New story: The king beheaded John the Baptist (Mt 14:10)
5. SENT SAVIOR
Old story: Elijah is to be “sent” to save people from God’s wrath (Ml 4:5-6)
New story: Jesus was “sent” to save people from God’s wrath (Mk 9:37, 16:16)
6. PRECIOUS GIFTS
Old story: Elisha was given precious gifts because of his remarkable power (2K 8:8-9)
New story: Jesus was given precious gifts because of his remarkable power (Mt 2:9-11)
7. HUNTED
Old story: A wicked king ordered an extensive search for Elijah to kill him (1K 18:1-10)
New story: A wicked king ordered an extensive search for Jesus to kill him (Mt 2:3-20)
8. SENT INTO HIDING
Old story: Elijah was commanded by God to travel afar and hide (1K 17:2-3)
New story: Joseph was commanded by God to travel afar and hide Jesus (Mk 1:1)
9. HOLY RIVER
Old story: Elisha received the spirit at the Jordan (2K 2:9)
New story: Jesus received the spirit at the Jordan (Mk 1:1)
10. FORTY DAYS & FORTY NIGHTS
Old story: Elijah went 40 days and nights in the wilderness without food (1K 19:4)
New story: Jesus went 40 days and nights in the wilderness without food (Mt 4)
11. MINISTERING ANGELS
Old story: An angel helped Elijah before his wilderness trip (1K 19:5-9)
New story: Angels helped Jesus after his wilderness trip (Mk 1:12-13)
12. GROUPIES
Old story: Elisha had a group of followers (2K 6)
New story: Jesus had a group of followers (Mk 13)
13. THE CALLING
Old story: Elisha was busy working when called to stop and follow Elijah (1K 19:19-21)
New story: Several men were busy working when called to stop and follow Jesus (Mk 1:16-20)
14. GOODBYES
Old story: Elisha said he would follow Elijah after saying goodbye to his parents (plow in story) (1K 19:20)
New story: A man said he would follow Jesus after saying goodbye to his family (plow in story) (Lk 9:61-62)
15. PROPHET
Old story: Elijah was called a “prophet” (1K 17:1)
New story: Jesus was called a “prophet” (Lk 7:16)
16. MASTER
Old story: A group of men called Elijah, Elisha’s “master” (2K 2:3-5)
New story: A group of men called Jesus, “master” (Mk 13)
17. SERVANT
Old story: Elijah is called God’s “servant” (2K 9:36)
New story: Jesus is called God’s “Servant” (Acts 3:26)
18. YES MAN
Old story: Elijah did as God commanded (2K 1:4)
New story: Jesus did as God commanded (Jn 4:34)
19. GOD’S SPOKESMAN
Old story: Elijah spoke for God (1K 17:1)
New story: Jesus spoke for God (Mt 7:21-23)
20. TRAVELING MAN
Old story: Elijah traveled town to town doing God’s work (1K, 2K)
New story: Jesus traveled town to town doing God’s work (Lk, Mk, Mt, Jn)
21. DRINK OF WATER
Old story: Upon entering a distant town, Elijah asked a woman to “bring me a drink of water”, worked a miracle of abundance and the woman called him a prophet (1K 17:10)
New story: Upon entering a distant town, Jesus told a woman to “give me a drink of water”, promised a miracle of abundance and the woman called him a prophet (Jn 4:5)
22. CROSSING THE WATER
Old story.1: Elijah walked across divided water (2K 2:8)
Old story.2: Elisha walked across divided water (2K 2:14)
New story: Jesus walked across the top of water (Mk 6:45)
23. SEEING IS BELIEVING
Old story: Elisha made the blind see (2K 6:20)
New story: Jesus made the blind see (Mk 8: 21-26)
24. HEALING THE LEPER
Old story: Elisha healed a man with leprosy (2K 5)
New story: Jesus healed a man with leprosy (Mk 1:41)
25. FEEDING THE MULTITUDE
Old story: Elisha used loaves of barley bread (brought to him by another) to feed a multitude and had left overs (2K 4:42-44)
New story: Jesus used loaves of barley bread (brought to him by another) to feed a multitude and had left overs (Jn 6:1-13)
26. VINEYARD MAYHEM
Old story: Elisha says a king will be killed as punishment for wanting to take over a vineyard after the owner was murdered (1K 21:1-19)
New story: Jesus says tenants will be killed as punishment for wanting to take over a vineyard and murdering the owner’s son (Lk 20:9-18)
Note: The words in the new story, “come let us kill him” echo the words of Joseph’s brothers as they plot to kill Joseph: “Come, let us kill him”.
27. ARMY OFFICER
Old story: An army officer approached Elisha for a supernatural healing (2K 5:1-15)
New story: An army officer approached Jesus for a supernatural healing (Mt 8:5-13)
28. SUPERNATURAL KNOWLEDGE
Old story: Elijah knew details of a person’s private life (2K 6:12)
New story: Jesus knew details of a person’s private life (Jn 4:17-18)
29. SUPERNATURAL SIGHT
Old story: Elisha could see a man in another place (2K 5:26)
New story: Jesus could see a man in another place (Jn 1:48-49)
30. IMMINENT SEIZURE
Old story: Elisha knew he was about to be seized (2K 6:30-32)
New story: Jesus knew he was about to be seized (Jn 6:15)
31. COMMANDER OF THE ELEMENTS
Old story: Elijah controlled the weather (1K 17:1)
New story: Jesus controlled the weather (Mk 4:39)
32. AUDIENCE OF THOUSANDS
Old story: All of Israel gathered to hear Elijah (1K 18:19-21)
New story: 5,000 gathered to hear Jesus (Mk 6:30-44)
33. JARS OF WATER
Old story: Elijah instructed people to fill 4 jars with water as part of a miracle (1K 18:33)
New story: Jesus instructed people to fill 6 jars with water as part of a miracle (Jn 2:7)
34. MAGIC NUMBER
Old story.1: Elijah used 12 stones to rebuild the altar (1K 18:32)
Old story.2: Elisha used 12 teams of oxen to plow (1K 19:19)
New story: Jesus used 12 disciples to build the Church (Mt 10:1)
35. FAMILY MATTERS
Old story: Elijah will be sent to unite the family (Ml 4:5-6)
New story: Jesus was sent to divide the family (Mt 7:36)
36. AT THE FOOT OF THE MASTER
Old story: A distraught woman held Elisha’s feet (2K 4:27)
New story: A distraught woman held Jesus’ feet (Lk 7:36)
37. SIGN OF SUBJECTION
Old story.1: A man bowed down before Elijah (1K 18:7)
Old story.2: 50 men bowed down before Elisha (2K 2:15)
New story: A man knelt down before Jesus (Jn 9:38)
38. HEARTLESS DISCIPLES
Old story: Elisha’s servant wanted to push away a mother distraught over her dead child but Elisha worked a miracle (2K 4:27)
New story: Jesus’ disciples wanted to send away a mother distraught over her suffering child but Jesus worked a miracle (Mt 15:21-28)
39. MAGIC MOUNTAIN
Old story: Elijah experienced a supernatural change after he and a servant climbed a mountain (cloud in story) (1K 18:42-46)
New story: Jesus experienced a supernatural change after he and 3 disciples climbed a mountain (cloud in story and Elijah appears) (Mt 17:1-13)
40. WORDS FROM ON HIGH
Old story: Elijah climbed a mountain where God spoke (1K 19:9)
New story: Jesus climbed a mountain where God spoke (Mt 17:5)
41. FINANCIAL WIZARD
Old story: Elisha worked a financial miracle (2K 4:1-5)
New story: Jesus worked a financial miracle (Mt 17: 24)
42. SAVIOR OF THE PARTY
Old story: Elisha transformed food for a group of people (2K 4:38-41)
New story: Jesus transformed water for a group of people (Jn 2:6)
43. GO IN PEACE
Old story: Elisha said “Go in peace.” (2K 5:19)
New story: Jesus said “Go in peace.” (Lk 7:50)
44. PROPHET OF DOOM
Old story: Elijah saw the future and told of coming horrors (2K 8:12)
New story: Jesus saw the future and told of coming horrors (Lk 21:10-33)
45. CURSE OF DEATH
Old story: Elisha’s curse caused death (2K 2:24)
New story: Jesus’ curse caused death (Mk 11:21)
46. RAISING THE DEAD I (The Widow’s Son)
Old story: Elijah raised the dead son of a widow (who meets him at the city gate), gave him to his mother & was called a prophet (1K 17:21)
New story: Jesus raised the dead son of a widow (who meets him at the city gate), gave him to his mother & was called a prophet (Lk 7:11-16)
The Greek for "and he gave him to his mother" is exactly the same in both accounts "kai edoken auton te metri autou".
48. RAISING THE DEAD II (The Child)
Old story: Elisha raised a dead child in a home (2K 4:27-37)
New story: Jesus raised a dead child in a home (Mk 5:22-43)
Note: Jairus means "he awakens" which indicates the name of the father was chosen by the author to fit the story’s theme.
49. RAISING THE DEAD III (The Man in the Tomb)
Old story: Elisha’s bones raised a dead man in a tomb (2 K:21)
New story: Jesus raised a dead man in a tomb (Jn 11)
50. FIRE FROM HEAVEN
Old story: Elijah called down fire from heaven to kill people (2K 1:10)
New story: Jesus’ disciples asked to call down fire from heaven to kill people (Lk 9:54)
51. DUPLICITOUS UNDERLING
Old story: Elisha’s duplicitous servant asked for 3,000 silver coins & suffering followed (2K 5)
New story: Jesus’ duplicitous disciple accepted 30 silver coins & suffering followed (Mt 26:14)
52. TROUBLEMAKER
Old story: Elijah was considered “the worst troublemaker in Israel” (1K 18:17)
New story: Jesus was considered the worst troublemaker in Israel (implied) (Jn 2:13-18, 19:6)
53. WANTED MAN
Old story: The Jewish people wanted Elijah killed (1K 19:10)
New story: The Jewish people wanted Jesus killed (Mt 27:20)
54. HEAVEN BOUND
Old story: It was revealed Elijah would soon ascend to heaven (2K 2: 1-12)
New story: Jesus revealed he would soon ascend to heaven (Jn 20:17)
55. ANGUISHED PRAYER
Old story: Afraid for his life, Elijah went off by himself, sat and prayed for God to take his life and was strengthened by an angel (1K 19:3-6)
New story: Afraid for his life, Jesus went off by himself, knelt and prayed for God not to take his life (but that his will be done) and was strengthened by an angel (Lk 22:39-43)
56. DOUBLE PLEDGE OF LOYALTY
Old story: As Elijah’s “death” approached, Elisha swore (twice) he wouldn’t leave him (2K 2:4-6)
New story: As Jesus’ death approached, Peter swore (twice) he wouldn’t leave him (Mk 14:4-29-31)
57. MOCKED
Old story: Elisha was made fun of (2K 2:23)
New story: Jesus was made fun of (Mk 15:20)
58. DEATH CRY
Old story.1: As Elijah “died,” Elisha cried out, “My father, my father!” (2K:2:12)
Old story.2: As Elisha died, the king cried out “My father, my father!” (2K 13:14)
New story: As Jesus died, he cried out, “My God, my God...” (Mt 27:46)
59. TORN CLOTH
Old story: Upon Elijah’s death, Elisha tore his cloak in two (2K 12)
New story: Upon Jesus’ death, the Temple’s curtain tore in two (Mt 27:51)
60. UP, UP AND AWAY!
Old story: Elijah was visibly taken up to heaven (2K 2:11)
New story: Jesus was visibly taken up to heaven (Lk 24:51)
more to come...
IN CONCLUSION
The True Believer may rationalize all of this away, but there’s no disputing that there is clearly little about Jesus that is unique. Further study of comparative religions reveals Christianity took all of its ideas—from the virgin birth to Jesus’ prophesied thousand year reign—from “pagan” religions. In fact, Christianity IS a pagan religion. It simply has outlasted most of its competition, aided by two millennia of persecuting them.
Further evidences that Jesus is a myth can be found in Part 2: Likely OT Sources, Part 3: Indisputable OT Sources and Part 4: Extra-Biblical Sources.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
thought of the day.453
Did a teacher named Jesus walk the streets of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago? Almost certainly. There were countless roaming teachers/healers/religious leaders and the odds are that at least a few of these were named Jesus.
But did the Jesus revealed in the bible exist? Certainly not. The Jesus of the bible who was born of a virgin, worked miracles, threatened unbelievers with lakes of fire, rose from the dead and floated into the sky toward a throne waiting in some heavenly realm beyond the last planet on the left was a mythological character created almost entirely from stories found throughout the Old Testament.
But did the Jesus revealed in the bible exist? Certainly not. The Jesus of the bible who was born of a virgin, worked miracles, threatened unbelievers with lakes of fire, rose from the dead and floated into the sky toward a throne waiting in some heavenly realm beyond the last planet on the left was a mythological character created almost entirely from stories found throughout the Old Testament.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
thought of the day.451
Quick thoughts on Atheism, Agnosticism and Theism
These observations presuppose the idea that for a proposition to be reasonable, it must be supported by evidence.
ATHEISM
To me, there are two main types of atheism — Reasonable and Unreasonable.
An Unreasonable Atheist would state there is — without doubt — no god. This is an unreasonable position because no evidence can support it.
A Reasonable Atheist does not claim to know there are no gods, but believes there are none due to the lack of evidence for one.
AGNOSTICISM
The Agnostic says she cannot know whether or not there is a god. Of course no one can. But agnosticism seems to be an intellectual cop-out. This person would likely not claim to be “agnostic” about countless other unknowable things like the idea that invisible pink monkeys orbit the Earth and yet makes an exception for the idea of god.
THEISM
The Theist believes there is a god based on evidence not strong enough to transform “believing” into “knowing” rendering the Theist position inherently unreasonable; and the theist who claims to know there is a god is as unreasonable as the atheist who, with the same certainty, claims there is none.
These observations presuppose the idea that for a proposition to be reasonable, it must be supported by evidence.
ATHEISM
To me, there are two main types of atheism — Reasonable and Unreasonable.
An Unreasonable Atheist would state there is — without doubt — no god. This is an unreasonable position because no evidence can support it.
A Reasonable Atheist does not claim to know there are no gods, but believes there are none due to the lack of evidence for one.
AGNOSTICISM
The Agnostic says she cannot know whether or not there is a god. Of course no one can. But agnosticism seems to be an intellectual cop-out. This person would likely not claim to be “agnostic” about countless other unknowable things like the idea that invisible pink monkeys orbit the Earth and yet makes an exception for the idea of god.
THEISM
The Theist believes there is a god based on evidence not strong enough to transform “believing” into “knowing” rendering the Theist position inherently unreasonable; and the theist who claims to know there is a god is as unreasonable as the atheist who, with the same certainty, claims there is none.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
thought of the day.449
“While the Hebrew, Christian, and Muslim scriptures contain some excellent moral teachings, they are not original with those writings. For example, the Golden Rule taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount goes back thousands of years earlier and can be found in the writings of many ancient sages such as Confucius and Isocrates, and in the Hindu Mahabharata.
Ethics and morality come from humanity, not God. They are rules of behavior needed for a functioning society. Even many animals have a primitive morality, such as altruism.
Those nations without dominant God-belief have far less murder than the God-smitten Unites States and are healthier in many other respects.
Not only can we be good without God, we can be better without God.”
~ Victor Stenger
Ethics and morality come from humanity, not God. They are rules of behavior needed for a functioning society. Even many animals have a primitive morality, such as altruism.
Those nations without dominant God-belief have far less murder than the God-smitten Unites States and are healthier in many other respects.
Not only can we be good without God, we can be better without God.”
~ Victor Stenger
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
thought of the day.448
If the idea of the “supernatural” is valid then so is the idea of the “superdupernatural” which is infinitely more super than the “supernatural” but of course not as super as the “superdupersupremenatural”.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
thought of the day.447
Allan says God is love. Betty says God hates fags. Colleen says she knows God is real because he healed her dog. Diane says her God is the one true God. Ernie says God is emptiness. Francis says God is merciful but throws unbelievers in hell. Gary says there are many Gods. Hester says God answers prayers. Irene says God is pure energy. Jason says God sits on a throne. Kathy says God only saves Catholics. Lori says God made the first people out of clay. Marcus says God determines who wins football games. Nick says God is female. Oscar says God is nature. Pat says God has no interest in human affairs. Quince says God is Allah. Rick says God is cosmic consciousness. Sue says God has a plan for her life. Tracy says God doesn’t hear the prayers of Jews. Urich says God talks to him and wants him to run for political office. Vincent says God wants his wife to obey him. Walter (the pastor) says God loves a generous giver. Zachary says God loves America best.
What do you say God is?
What do you say God is?
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
thought of the day.445
Honesty demands we accept or reject propositions based on evidence or lack thereof not on whether they make us comfortable or uncomfortable.
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