Topspin wrote:Invertago wrote:Lurch wrote:Buddhism isn't a fairytale
Buddha actually existed
Lurch
And Jesus is actually a historical figure, so is Muhammad. For that matter so was Joseph Smith. The faith vs fairytale argument is more a matter of the persons claims, was Jesus the Son of God, was Muhammad God's Prophet? Did Joseph Smith really get a good look at those golden plates from the angel? God, Allah and the Spaghetti monster are the ones who's existence can't be proved. (though there is some photographic evidence of the Spaghetti Monster...)
Anyhow, spent a bit of time studying religion in history for some easy credits back in the day.
Is there actually non-biblical evidence of the figure of Jesus? I mean of miracles, and other such things?
Hmmm, trying to keep it short and in a nut shell cause who wants to read long avcanda posts.
Proof Jesus existed (not referencing anything from the bible)
1 Western culture surronding us...
-Todays date ----Modern western Calendars are based on BC/AD dates
“Dates before that year are listed as B.C., or before Christ,” explains The World Book Encyclopedia. “Dates after that year are listed as A.D., or anno Domini (in the year of our Lord).”
2 Secular records
First century Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus, wrote: “The name [Christian] is derived from Christ, whom the procurator Pontius Pilate had executed in the reign of Tiberius.”
Jesus is mentioned multiple times by other roman historical writings, Sutonios and Pliny are two in particular (don't quote me on the name spelling here)
Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, talks of Jesus, his brother James and his other family members. in "THE JEWISH ANTIQUITIES"
Anyhow, I could go on pulling up more stuff on proofing Jesus existed. Trying to prove He didn't exist would be arguing the existance of the biggest ongoing scam in human history. Jesus left more evidence of his existance then Gengis kahn, or Alexander the Great.
So, as far as proving the existence of Jesus as a historical figure, there is a ton of evidence out there, I could take the time to turn this post into a book, but I'm no writer.
Part II
Proving his miracles...
I personally don't believe you can prove the miracles, or prove the bible because...
Christianity is a faith based religion, so if you could prove it (prove the Bible, prove the miracles etc) Christianity's own faith foundation would be void. I think all the evidence supporting the bible and the miracles etc requires you to actually have faith and believe in something that cannot be proven. Christianity is an unproven theory, but at least it has a lot of eye wittnesse accounts and evidence if you believe them. The big bang theory (note it is just a theory as well) has no eye witnesses and is simply a theory of past events based on evidence if you believe the conclusions the scientists derive from it. Many people don't believe we landed on the moon, show them a video and they'll argue how it was all faked etc. Millions deny the Holocaust also. If you didn't see something yourself personally, you have to have faith in the statements of others and the evidence they offer.
Anyhow, hope that made some sense, the only proof you'll ever see in this life is what you witness yourself. For everythign else, look at the evidence and pick what you believe.
Curious, why doesn't anyone ever ask for proof about about Muhammad or Joesph Smith etc who by the way also claimed to perform miracles?
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