My theory on creation.

Subduction Zone

Regular Member
Dec 17, 2012
32,628
12,068
✟230,461.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Single
Exactly, in the beginning, there was nothing and then nothing exploded and over billllllions and billllions of years, nothing created the universe. Now that, is reality...at least for some folks.

You should not rely on convicted liars for your arguments.
 
Upvote 0

HitchSlap

PROUDLY PRIMATE
Aug 6, 2012
14,723
5,468
✟281,096.00
Country
United States
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Married
Exactly, in the beginning, there was nothing and then nothing exploded and over billllllions and billllions of years, nothing created the universe. Now that, is reality...at least for some folks.
As I said, reality cares not one whit.
 
Upvote 0

PsychoSarah

Chaotic Neutral
Jan 13, 2014
20,521
2,609
✟95,463.00
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
In Relationship
You're right, Christianity was ignored until it got too big to ignore.
Actually, Christianity was quite a small religion, even long after Jesus died. It was only after a Roman Emperor made it the official religion that it started to really grow.

The reason why Christians were treated negatively prior to that point was because it was viewed as a disruptive cult.


The problem with this theory is that there is enough negative in the NT about the dolts who were the apostles-their desire to be treated as royalty, their doubt, their lack of faith, their foibles, that the entire thing rings true.
-_- the best lies are the ones that sprinkle truth in. Although, how convenient that each apostle had flaws that could so easily be worked into parables... It's all rather formulaic. Just having flaws doesn't make a character seem real, especially if the flaws work towards a goal.

The only reason 30 pieces of silver was even mentioned in the gospel is because of the prophecy. Sure, it 'could have' been changed. What about the prophecy "A virgin shall bear a son..." That doesn't mention Israel as the subject.
You admit that the 30 pieces of silver could have been added in without it being true, and yet you don't consider the same possible for the "born of a virgin" part XD XD XD.

Both claims are equally impossible to demonstrate as factual by the time the New Testament was actually written. Heck, being "born of a virgin" is still impossible to demonstrate. "But Sarah, hymens". Oh, you mean that membrane that doesn't even necessarily break during sex that can also grow back? It's not like it's a seal that prevents impregnation without being torn.
 
Upvote 0

Astrophile

Newbie
Aug 30, 2013
2,268
1,515
76
England
✟230,965.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Atheist
Marital Status
Widowed
What about the prophecy "A virgin shall bear a son..." That doesn't mention Israel as the subject.
First, the prophecy actually says 'young woman', not 'virgin'. Second, if you read the prophecy in context you will see that it is a warning of the imminence of the Assyrian invasion; it is not a prophecy of a miraculous birth more than 700 years in the future. Isaiah 7:10-25 is saying that a young woman is already pregnant, and before her child is old enough to know the difference between right and wrong Judah will be devastated by war, and fertile agricultural land will have reverted to thorns and briars and to pasture for sheep and cattle.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

AV1611VET

SCIENCE CAN TAKE A HIKE
Supporter
Jun 18, 2006
3,850,672
51,419
Guam
✟4,896,791.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
You'll have to ask a Zennie.
Okay ... a Google search showed me this guy died in 483 Before Christ of natural causes at the age of 80.

But why an offshoot of his own religion would put a contract out on him is beyond me.

I know he was a deadbeat dad, but he supposedly came back "enlightened."

Setting an example for all dads today.

Only in this Christian nation, Buddha would come back not "enlightened," but in handcuffs.
 
Upvote 0

ananda

Early Buddhist
May 6, 2011
14,757
2,123
Soujourner on Earth
✟186,371.00
Marital Status
Private
Okay ... a Google search showed me this guy died in 483 Before Christ of natural causes at the age of 80.

But why an offshoot of his own religion would put a contract out on him is beyond me.

I know he was a deadbeat dad, but he supposedly came back "enlightened."

Setting an example for all dads today.

Only in this Christian nation, Buddha would come back not "enlightened," but in handcuffs.
Leaving the householder life for to become a full-time spiritual seeker - after adequately providing for the material needs of his wife and child - was not only seen as an honorable and blessed choice in his culture at his time, it still is in many Hindu & Buddhist cultures today.

That's a problem with Christian cultures, because modern Christianity IMO generally emphasizes the immediate family unit and immediate material needs, and not the support system of the far more tightly-knit extended family or such spiritual quests of the former.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

AV1611VET

SCIENCE CAN TAKE A HIKE
Supporter
Jun 18, 2006
3,850,672
51,419
Guam
✟4,896,791.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Leaving the householder life for to become a full-time spiritual seeker -
And they bought that excuse?

Oooookay then.

Evidently the Zens didn't.
ananda said:
- after adequately providing for the material needs of his wife and child -
Tell that to a child and see if that's acceptable to him.

Sorry, son, daddy's going away ... but he left you a load of money and, after all, money buys happiness.
ananda said:
... was not only an honorable choice in his culture at his time,
Evidently the Zens thought otherwise.
ananda said:
... it still is in many Hindu & Buddhist cultures today.
Right.

Unless you're an Untouchable, then leaving home wouldn't be too bright, would it?
ananda said:
That's a problem with Christian cultures, because modern Christianity IMO emphasizes the immediate family unit and immediate material needs, and not the support system of the extended family or such spiritual needs.
Sorry, but you don't see us starving to death while "sacred" cows roam the streets right in front of us.

Bob Evans and Colonel Sanders would be mortified!

And we certainly don't run down to the Mississippi River to worship her and wash in her while "sacred" cows urinate upriver.

No wonder India is a wreck.
 
Upvote 0

ananda

Early Buddhist
May 6, 2011
14,757
2,123
Soujourner on Earth
✟186,371.00
Marital Status
Private
And they bought that excuse?

Oooookay then.

Evidently the Zens didn't.

Tell that to a child and see if that's acceptable to him.

Sorry, son, daddy's going away ... but he left you a load of money and, after all, money buys happiness.

Evidently the Zens thought otherwise.

Right.

Unless you're an Untouchable, then leaving home wouldn't be too bright, would it?

Sorry, but you don't see us starving to death while "sacred" cows roam the streets right in front of us.

Bob Evans and Colonel Sanders would be mortified!
I have nothing to do with Zen or Hinduism.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

AV1611VET

SCIENCE CAN TAKE A HIKE
Supporter
Jun 18, 2006
3,850,672
51,419
Guam
✟4,896,791.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
I have nothing to do with Zen or Hinduism.
Yes, I know.

Buddhism is a breakaway religion, formed by ex-Hindus that were tired of being oppressed by Hindu's caste system: one of the most oppressive systems on earth.

That's why I was surprised when you brought them up.
 
Upvote 0

ananda

Early Buddhist
May 6, 2011
14,757
2,123
Soujourner on Earth
✟186,371.00
Marital Status
Private
Yes, I know.

Buddhism is a breakaway religion, formed by ex-Hindus that were tired of being oppressed by Hindu's caste system: one of the most oppressive systems on earth.

That's why I was surprised when you brought them up.
No, as I see it, Buddhism grew from out of the muck of the then-extant Vedic religion - not Hinduism.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

AV1611VET

SCIENCE CAN TAKE A HIKE
Supporter
Jun 18, 2006
3,850,672
51,419
Guam
✟4,896,791.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
No, as I see it, Buddhism grew from out of the muck of the then-extant Vedic religion - not Hinduism.
Why then did the Hindus write the Bhagavad-Gita, if not to compel the early Buddhists to come back?
 
Upvote 0