Science-Religion. Which wins?

<p>…besides this we know that there have been hundreds of holy books written throughout the course of human history, and hundreds of sects, cults and religions formed. Christianity was formed about 2000 years ago and is a relatively young religion. Around this time there was a lot of different religions, greek pantheons, Islam, Hinduism, norse mythology, native american spirtualism, etc.
Christianity just happened to survive because of the roman empire converting and taking over the world while using religion to suppress any opposition to the empire. What makes you so sure that Christianity is true if there are tons of other religions with holy books and the Bible has false statements about the age of the earth, talking snakes, talking bushes, flaming chariots going into the sky, walking on water, people coming back from the dead, etc.Also, creationism indicates we came from two humans. Both the DNA variances and everything we have observed in nature indicates that two of a species cannot proliferate into the numbers we have, let alone survive. </p>

<p>There are also many spiritual figures BEFORE Jesus, who were born to virgins in December 25 and had other striking similarities with Jesus. Here are a few of them that PRE-DATE Jesus:</p>

<p>BUDDHA:</p>

<p>Both went to their temples at the age of twelve, where they are said to have astonished all with their wisdom. Both supposedly fasted in solitude for a long time: Buddha for forty–seven days and Jesus for forty. Both wandered to a fig tree at the conclusion of their fasts. Both were about the same age when they began their public ministry:</p>

<p>“When he [Buddha] went again to the garden he saw a monk who was calm, tranquil, self–possessed, serene, and dignified. The prince, determined to become such a monk, was led to make the great renunciation. At the time he was twenty–nine years of age… “Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age.” (Luke 3:23). Both were tempted by the “devil” at the beginning of their ministry: To Buddha, he said: “Go not forth to adopt a religious life but return to your kingdom, and in seven days you shall become emperor of the world, riding over the four continents.” To Jesus, he said: “All these [kingdoms of the world] I will give you, if you fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9). Buddha answered the “devil”: “Get you away from me.”</p>

<p>Jesus responded: “…begone, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10). Both strove to establish a kingdom of heaven on earth. According to the Somadeva (a Buddhist holy book), a Buddhist ascetic’s eye once offended him, so he plucked it out and cast it away. Jesus said: “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out, and throw it away;.” (Matthew 5:29).</p>

<p>KRISHNA:</p>

<p>According to Bhagavata Purana some believe that Krishna was born without a sexual union, by “mental transmission” from the mind of Vasudeva into the womb of Devaki, his mother. Christ and Krishna were called both God and the Son of God. Both were sent from heaven to earth in the form of a man. Both were called Savior, and the second person of the Trinity. Krishna’s adoptive human father was also a carpenter. A spirit or ghost was their actual father. Krishna and Jesus were of royal descent. Both were visited at birth by wise men and shepherds, guided by a star. Angels in both cases issued a warning that the local dictator planned to kill the baby and had issued a decree for his assassination. The parents fled. Mary and Joseph stayed in Muturea; Krishna’s parents stayed in Mathura. Both Christ and Krishna withdrew to the wilderness as adults, and fasted. Both were identified as “the seed of the woman bruising the serpent’s head.” Jesus was called “the lion of the tribe of Judah.” Krishna was called “the lion of the tribe of Saki.” Both claimed: “I am the Resurrection.” Both were “without sin.” Both were god-men: being considered both human and divine. Both performed many miracles, including the healing of disease. One of the first miracles that both performed was to make a leper whole. Each cured “all manner of diseases.” Both cast out indwelling demons, and raised the dead. Both selected disciples to spread his teachings. Both were meek, and merciful. Both were criticized for associating with sinners. Both celebrated a last supper. Both forgave his enemies. Both were crucified and both were resurrected.</p>

<p>DIONYSUS: </p>

<p>He was born of a virgin on December 25 and, as the Holy Child, was placed in a manger. He was a traveling teacher who performed miracles. He “rode in a triumphal procession on an ass.” He was a sacred king killed and eaten in an eucharistic ritual for fecundity and purification. Dionysus rose from the dead on March 25. He was the God of the Vine, and turned water into wine. He was called “King of Kings” and “God of Gods.” He was considered the “Only Begotten Son,” Savior,” “Redeemer,” “Sin Bearer,” Anointed One,” and the “Alpha and Omega.” He was identified with the Ram or Lamb. His sacrificial title of “Dendrites” or “Young Man of the Tree” intimates he was hung on a tree or crucified.</p>

<p>ZOROASTER:</p>

<p>He was born of a virgin and “immaculate conception by a ray of divine reason.” He was baptized in a river. In his youth he astounded wise men with his wisdom. He was tempted in the wilderness by the devil. He began his ministry at age 30. Zoroaster baptized with water, fire and “holy wind.” He cast out demons and restored the sight to a blind man. He taught about heaven and hell, and revealed mysteries, including resurrection, judgment, salvation and the apocalypse. He had a sacred cup or grail. He was slain. His religion had a eucharist. He was the “Word made flesh.” Zoroaster’s followers expected a “second coming” in the virgin-born Saoshynt or Savior, who is to come in 2341 AD and begin his ministry at age 30, ushering in a golden age.</p>

<p>ATTIS:</p>

<p>He was born on December 25 of the Virgin Nana. He was considered the savior who was slain for the salvation of mankind. His body as bread was eaten by his worshippers. He was both the Divine Son and the Father. On “Black Friday,” he was crucified on a tree, from which his holy blood ran down to redeem the earth. He descended into the underworld. After three days, Attis was resurrected.</p>

<p>HORUS:</p>

<p>Born of a virgin, Isis. Only begotten son of the God Osiris. Birth heralded by the star Sirius, the morning star. Ancient Egyptians paraded a manger and child representing Horus through the streets at the time of the winter solstice (about DEC-21). In reality, he had no birth date; he was not a human. Death threat during infancy: Herut tried to have Horus murdered. Handling the threat: The God That tells Horus’ mother “Come, thou goddess Isis, hide thyself with thy child.” An angel tells Jesus’ father to: “Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt.” Break in life history: No data between ages of 12 & 30. Age at baptism: 30. Subsequent fate of the baptiser: Beheaded. Walked on water, cast out demons, healed the sick, restored sight to the blind. Was crucifed, descended into Hell; resurrected after three days.</p>

<p>Please explain the similarities. Doesn’t it seems Christianity stitched together other myths to give us the Bible? (with all do respect to your faith).</p>

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<p>You are welcome.</p>

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<p>We have a difference of opinion of that issue. The age of the earth is a complicated issue and I’m no expert. However, I don’t think you are either. For starters, the claimed margins of error are in the millions of years for most methods.</p>

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<p>Why do I believe in the Christian god? Because it makes sense, and because I’ve experienced His effect on my life. But that’s a matter of faith. I’m arguing against Atheism here. Arguing Christianity vs. other faiths is another discussion, and not my specialty.</p>

<p>^^ As to that, again, I’m not an expert on contrasting Christianity with other religions. As for the December 25 date, that is simple: We don’t know what day Christ was born but the early church picked a day that was already significant in pagan religion, just like they did with many other days.</p>

<p>I don’t know the history of those other religions figures very well, but I do know that few if any of them were as well documented as Jesus.</p>

<p>^Islam and Muhammad were documented much more than Jesus was, just as a side note.
This may have been said before, but science may be simply the process of God.</p>

<p>^ That may be true, I am only marginally familiar with the history of Islam. But Islam was founded about 500 years after Jesus’s death.</p>

<p>I’m not talking about Christianity. I’m talking about a belief in God. No Jesus involved.</p>

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<p>Those who believe that the Bible is divinely inspired also believe that their interpretation thereof is divinely inspired. For example, the Catholic Church, which claims that the legitimacy of its interpretation of the Bible stems from Jesus himself through Peter. This may be false, but it’s not some half-assed theory thought up in twenty seconds. Christian theology is unbelievably complex.</p>

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<p>See above.</p>

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<p>Nothing else need be said on the issue, then.</p>

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<p>I LIVED there. Have you? </p>

<p>How’s this for orderly?</p>

<p>[Paris</a> Riots in Perspective - ABC News](<a href=“Paris Riots in Perspective - ABC News”>http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=1280843)</p>

<p>How would you like having to carry a card in the Netherlands that states you would be like to be kept alive? The alternative is that the state makes the call for you. Have you heard about Scandinavia’s sex ed recently?</p>

<p>Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands. Moral implications aside, you tell me how orderly STDs and an enormous red light district make society.</p>

<p>Politically, Belgium recently went through a huge period of upheaval when it had to decide whether to SPLIT IN TWO because of enormous cultural tensions between the Flemish and the French-speaking populations of the country.</p>

<p>How about a celebrity president and his attractive wife, who have no problems asking Michelle Obama about her sex life with her husband?</p>

<p>I mean, you’re talking nonsense. You’re absolutely crazy. Europe is neither moral nor orderly. It suffers from even bigger financial problems than we do. It is, right now, decrepit. Which makes me sad, but that’s another discussion.</p>

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Don’t you think that different faiths are primarily products of culture rather than the existence of a particular God?

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<p>No. They are fundamentally different, although religion and culture tend to come together in some cases. The ability of Islam and Christianity to reach beyond culture into universal religions is proof of this.</p>

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<p>Other religions have part of the Truth, whereas Christianity is the fullness of the Truth – one possible explanation.</p>

<p>Also, citations for that post would be awesome.</p>

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Correction: The ability of Islam and Christianity to “reach beyond culture into universal religions” is mainly due to an unusual talent their adherents have for beating the #$&% out of other countries.</p>

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<p>Uhm, no. “Islam” has not done that. “Christianity” has not done that arguably ever, but definitely not recently, yet is expanding at an unprecedented rate.</p>

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This is completely off-topic, and just a cool story, but in Assassins Creed II they explained how this could be. In a really cool way too. I doubt many people will believe (I don’t), but look up the mythology for Assassins Creed II - it’s really cool and pertains somewhat with that quote.</p>

<p>[Six-Day</a> War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-Day_War]Six-Day”>Six-Day War - Wikipedia)
[Imperialism</a> in Africa](<a href=“http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/colonial_legacies/53451]Imperialism”>http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/colonial_legacies/53451)</p>

<p>Also, I doubt that the religions would have the power to beat the stuff out of other countries…hence <em>adherents</em>.</p>

<p>^It’s still organized by states, even if they are theocracies. “Islam” as a religion did NOT take military action.</p>

<p>…?</p>

<p>And the states are under the control of…?</p>

<p>Screw this, I’m leaving the thread. Load of #%@$(#*$^…</p>

<p>Looking at the history, most of those cases were more a matter of people using their religious power to further political goals.</p>

<p>Another reason Christianity has spread so far: It’s one of the few religions (as far as I know) that places a MASSIVE emphasis on evangelism. To put it harshly, we believe that the is a real danger that people who have not accepted Jesus will go to hell. It is therefore very important to us to spread christianity and save as many souls as possible.</p>

<p>^THANK YOU. That’s what I meant…Then something happened and I was forced to prove that yes, I do know something about international history. Are the 22 seconds over yet? Good.</p>

<p>^That’s something completely different. It becomes political as soon as you bring up “countries.”</p>

<p>And evangelism is indeed an integral component of Christianity.</p>

<p>I despise evangelism…it’s so patronizing to assume that someone who doesn’t adhere to your belief system will automatically go to hell, even if they are a much nicer person than you. And also, many languages and cultures have been lost through aggressive conversion.</p>

<p>^ Would it not be even more despicable for us to ignore you, though believing that by doing so we might be condemning you to that fate?</p>

<p>Exactly. It’s not “patronizing,” it’s the belief. It’s the religion. It’s independent of what is practical to us or to our mentality, because it is the deepest form of reality – Truth itself.</p>

<p>How exactly can you judge if its the “Truth itself”? What does that even mean? Everyone thinks that their religion is the “Truth”.What I have posted before makes my point. Again read it carefully. Even you can’t deny the astounding similarities between Jesus and other “sons of Gods” who PRE-DATE him. What is your explanation for this? Why did the whole of the Bible get written if you can disregard some of it? Pointless isn’t it? You again rambled vague explanations of the complexity of Christian Theology, but to me some parts of the Bible like Leviticus were pretty explicit.</p>

<p>By the way about Europe, I think we can find instances in America were “immorality” and “disorder” are rampant. The link you gave me was about immigration. America is a land of immigrants, and I believe although I’m not from your country, that there have been some problems there about immigration. (Arizona, Neo-Nazi groups protesting etc). Every country has its own problems- I can, for example point to the number of strip clubs in Las Vegas. And Carla Bruno- well you have that idiotic Sarah Palin, an ardent believer in your faith, who almost became Vice-President and probably would have become President- a far more influential position than First Lady. I don’t know about you but I’d rather have an eccentric First Lady than a ■■■■■■■■ (there is no other word for her) Vice-President.</p>