A couple of things. First, the Christian religion enjoyed a monopoly for a long time, you were either Christian, or you were in a world of hurt.

Second, the next major wave of consciousness, the rational (hypothetical-deductive) mindset replaced the high-mythic, so there was no desire or need to find a new story/mythos.

The Osiris/Horus mythos may have lasted anywhere between 3000 and 5000 years, but when it was replaced by Christiainity, Christianity's insistence on its historical/literal value was actually one of the reasons it did survive the others. So in that sense, I could see the dread of engaging in speculative theories such as this. Ultimately, I think Christianity could survive it, even become a much deeper spiritual system since the cultural background of the West really is Christianity as opposed to Buddhism, which has done a good job replacing the mystical insight of Christianity. But, if Christianity developed a more mystical practice by letting go of its insistence on historicity (which I believe holds it back by continually having to deal with pests like me), its cultural identification in the West would benefit it more and people wouldn't seek out the deeper Eastern approaches.

By the way, when I say "deeper approaches", I don't mean to imply that everyone in the East (Buddhists/Hindus/Taoists, etc.) don't have the greater portion of their population that believes in the mythical stories as well, they absolutely do. It just that the traditions there don't stop there. They learn that the stories attributed to the Buddha and Krishna and such are meant as teaching tools, and that real spiritual development is a deepening of consciousness. I think many people in the West have this idea that all Buddhists in the East are these meditating masters, when in reality, they have just as many religious stories they believe are literally true as well.

-TC

Sorry about that, I usually include a link, but I must have left it off:

Did Jesus exist?

Oh, flattery will get you everywhere! OK, Jesus can be historical



I think you are overestimating the percentages! I was recalling one of the first posts I remember reading from you (I can't remember where) that said something to the effect that you considered it important to counteract these outrageous claims, and I was just having some fun with that recollection (probably a bad one anyway, my brain's getting full and I forget a lot these days!)



I see, I'll see if I can differentiate it better for you. My college team is playing in the Final Four this weekend, my birthday was today, party is tomorrow, my daughter turns 18 on the 8th, so my attention is seriously diverted! Go Jayhawks!


That's true for most of the people who inhabit this group. I think the literalists have quite a bit of a following, though. I like myths, I don't treat them with the disdain as most people who interpret it to mean "lies or falsehoods meant to hoodwink". For example, I don't think the Myth of Ur in Plato's Republic has anything approaching historicity, but I think it does describe a true mystical insight. But, when people try to make myths literal/historical, it actually detracts from the mystical aspect. If we see Jesus' message and resurrection as an example for personal transformation, I think its a great story that attempts to explain transcendent awakening. Historicity just seems to muddy it up, place restrictions on it it wouldn't have to endure if it didn't feel the need to defend it.

Happy birthday! Take your time in responding.


I love evidence and acting as a detective. If it wasn't for this, I doubt I'd have any interest in this stuff at all. The historical Jesus fascinates me because he is so much shrouded in myth and only historical research can give us clues as to who (if anybody) he was. That's what I love about this research. It's also fascinating to study someone who gets so many divergent opinions about. That alone makes Jesus the most fascinating study in all of history for me. (Paul is also fascinating and is almost as perplexing as Jesus.)

I must agree with you! Jesus is also the reason why I chose to indulge myself in Christianity. It is just amazing what He did while he was on earth, there was and will never be such an amazing person with so much power and with the ability to be as humble as Jesus was! He healed thousands upon thousands just by his touch or when he spoke the Word and he stood up from the grip of Death! He is truly Life and our Savior who can free us from the strongholds here on earth!

__________________
Matthew4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him