Originally Posted by droogiefret:
“If you took away the resurrection, the healing and miracles could you imagine there still to be a religion there? I could. The teachings in themselves contain fundamental truths about life and have the ability to transform the way a person lives, thinks and conducts themselves.”
I could, yeah, but as it's already been stated, there was religion before Jesus came along, so what's so special about him?
Originally Posted by droogiefret:
“Deciding whether a man called Jesus died and was resurrected in actuality will not transform your life, whatever conclusion you reach. But exploring the esoteric mystery of what it means for one man to die to liberate all just might.”
People have been known to sacrifice their life for others throughout history, even today it no doubt happens. There's no mystery in that though, and there certainly isn't a religion for each individual.
Originally Posted by SULLA:
“Read the gospel of John”
Why suggest I read a gospel when you know I wont, and you presumably have? Wouldn't it save us all a lot of bother if you simply answered the question?
Originally Posted by noodkleopatra:
“I could even respect - although disagree - someone saying they did think Jesus was the son of God, but hey, the miracle bit was overstated, the walking on water part probably made up, and all the rest of it. But no. It's written in the Gospel so it has to be true, and because other people believed it, it must be.”
Perhaps he was a self taught doctor that walked on puddles.
Originally Posted by noodkleopatra:
“Yes, it's a valid point that whether or not Jesus performed miracles is of very little importance - but if you want to discuss Science, or History, or other legitimate forms of knowledge, don't pretend it entertains such ludicrous prospects just because it's dealing with Jesus.”
Regarding the miracles performed by Jesus; is that any different from any of us going to a magic show, really? Most of us go to a magic show, or witness a magic trick with no idea how it's done; we're in awe. We don't however think it's a miracle.
Magicians are simply people that have learnt skills to fool/entertain the public, and presumably similar people existed some 2000 years ago, though they may have had different methods of entertaining. Maybe that's all Jesus was; a
street performer.