We forgot Jesus birthday

[ladymuck]

I like origin stories. Every culture has them as there has always been a need for people to understand where we came from and why we are here. Some cultures turn that into an organised religion, with factions and offshoots developing over time. Others just keep them as stories that share common themes important to that group in an entertaining way.

None of these stories need to be empirically proven in any way. That's not really their purpose.

The pure atheist view is almost a religion in itself, maybe more akin to a cult, considering some of the fervour with which its proponents push their viewpoint with as much zeal as a door to door Mormon.

[vetran]

WGAFF??

Not Joseph apparently!

[vetran]

What we have here is a simple failure to understand. The church decided to celebrate the nativity in the middle of winter, offering an alternative to Saturnalia (whose roots Christmas never real overcame). While among the ill-informed, such as yourself, many people assumed that that meant that's when he was born, it was never actual church doctrine. No lies were told.

Fairly standard Christian belief is that Adam sinned by eating fruit from the Tree of Life. At that point not only did he fall from grace, so did the entirety of creation.

That's why there are mosquitoes. They're a product of the corruption of what was good and perfect, as are natural disasters. Man-made disasters and other killing are entirely down to us - and Satan, who became god of this world. Satan is a malevolent being doing his best to bring about misery. Not that he needs a great deal of help.

I do find it interesting that many atheists who denigrate Christianity know very little about it. And what they do know is wrong. Mind you, many professing Christians don't know much either.

So phrases in common use such a the day of Christ's birth are a slip of the tongue in the churches run by highly trained priests around Christmas time? Imagine them being that ignorant. Remember I was raised Christian, goodness knows how many Carol & Xmas services I went to (being in the choir).

Well the Muslim Belief is that the Jews and by extension the Christians annoyed this benevolent and all powerful god that kills little babies with Malaria because Adam and Eve "sinned" so the world belongs to them hence all the suicide bombers. Sounds like a story to me or is Allah Akbhar?

Its not ignorance, its contempt for the Church jumping on the bandwagon to hook followers. This is the same bunch who tortured everyone in the inquisition and gave religious support for slavery. Not the bunch to be supporting.

[vetran]

Nice bit of deflection there, and clear evidence of your ignorance.
Go read a bit of Roman history - maybe Flavius Josephus.

So someone who was called Jesus (as common as John) was crucified effectively for sedition? It was one of the common example punishments of the Romans. This means beyond doubt he is the son of god? Obviously irrefutable, again a lack of belief in a story regardless of who may have repeated it is not ignorance.

How did Spartacus et al die? Their story is well documented and none of what they achieved was because of alleged miracles.

Were I rude that could be considered a clear proof of your delusion, believing a criminal was actually the son of a "god" is a stretch.

[vetran]

I like origin stories. Every culture has them as there has always been a need for people to understand where we came from and why we are here. Some cultures turn that into an organised religion, with factions and offshoots developing over time. Others just keep them as stories that share common themes important to that group in an entertaining way.

None of these stories need to be empirically proven in any way. That's not really their purpose.

The pure atheist view is almost a religion in itself, maybe more akin to a cult, considering some of the fervour with which its proponents push their viewpoint with as much zeal as a door to door Mormon.

That was how I intended to approach it. If someone can provide a proof of a Deity I will review it I am not closed minded like some. If more information surfaces about an alleged god I am curious.

I'm with Terry Pratchett, people need gods and vice versa.

[Zigenare]

I like origin stories. Every culture has them as there has always been a need for people to understand where we came from and why we are here. Some cultures turn that into an organised religion, with factions and offshoots developing over time. Others just keep them as stories that share common themes important to that group in an entertaining way.

None of these stories need to be empirically proven in any way. That's not really their purpose.

The pure atheist view is almost a religion in itself, maybe more akin to a cult, considering some of the fervour with which its proponents push their viewpoint with as much zeal as a door to door Mormon.

That sounds rather benign given the effect that organised religions have had and are having, namely being used to manipulate the (kept that way) ignorant masses by the "educated" few. "You don't need to read the holy texts, I shall read them to you" has led to all types of shenanigans through history...

[Zigenare]

So someone who was called Jesus (as common as John) was crucified effectively for sedition? It was one of the common example punishments of the Romans. This means beyond doubt he is the son of god? Obviously irrefutable, again a lack of belief in a story regardless of who may have repeated it is not ignorance.

How did Spartacus et al die? Their story is well documented and none of what they achieved was because of alleged miracles.

Were I rude that could be considered a clear proof of your delusion, believing a criminal was actually the son of a "god" is a stretch.

Was Jesus an antisemite? Asking for a friend...
*Note - although I posted the above in jest, it turns out that Rabbi Asor certainly thought so...

Jesus was an anti-Semite, preached against the Old Testament and founded a new religion… These are typical claims uttered by those who oppose the messianic faith and Jesus.
In his book, Rabbi Asor repeats the claim several times – that Jesus and his disciples were anti-Semites. But was Jesus really an anti-Semite? If so, what about the rebukes and angry prophecies by the Old Testament Prophets? Were they anti-Semites too? And what about a Jewish-Israeli reporter who criticizes Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and Rabbi Rentgen? Is he being anti-Semitic? Or is anyone who disagrees with the rabbis automatically labelled “anti-Semitic”?
It’s a convenient way to deal with people you want to silence, isn’t it? To accuse anyone who disagrees with you of being “anti-Semitic”. But Jesus was a Jew from the tribe of Judah, not some anti-Semitic gentile.
Just like the Biblical prophets of old, Jesus criticized the religious leaders of his people, which is the exact reason that they call him an anti-Semite. The Messiah, more than any prophet before him, has the right to challenge the people of Israel and their leaders about their sins. Jesus’ opinion of the Law is clear to anyone who will bother to read the New Testament.

https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-b...n-anti-semite/

[WTFH]

Were I rude that could be considered a clear proof of your delusion, believing a criminal was actually the son of a "god" is a stretch.

Speaking of “delusion”, please provide a link to where I said that.

[xoggoth]

Who cares about the birth dates of nobodies like that? It's MY birthday today, that's all that matters!

[xoggoth]

Thank you NAT. Where's my present???