The Virgin Mary is the mother of Jesus who was impregnated by god, as far as I know God never asked Mary if she was ok with this, so does this mean God raped Mary? What do you guy's think?
How could it have been borrowed if these stories are thousands of years old?
Well Judaism, on which Christianity and Islam are based, is ~3500-4000 years old. However the Jews had been slaves to the Egyptians for many centuries during this time, and the Egyptian religion predated Judaism by thousands of years. Add to that the close contact the Jews were in with the Zoroastrians after their escape from Egyptian slavery (another religion which long predates Judaism) and you can see how other ideologies can influence Judaism. Then, about 1500 years later, Christianity started.
Well Judaism, on which Christianity and Islam are based, is ~3500-4000 years old. However the Jews had been slaves to the Egyptians for many centuries during this time, and the Egyptian religion predated Judaism by thousands of years. Add to that the close contact the Jews were in with the Zoroastrians after their escape from Egyptian slavery (another religion which long predates Judaism) and you can see how other ideologies can influence Judaism. Then, about 1500 years later, Christianity started.
Even the Egyptian beliefs weren't the first. There are relics indicating religious worship by humans dating as far back as 70,000 BC. Also Neanderthals may have had religious practices even before us. So we might not have even been the first species to have religion.
You know I just realized that with a lot of things in these holy books, it's as if they just stole various fables and scriptures from religions of the time, then stamped their own gods name on them.
Even the Egyptian beliefs weren't the first. There are relics indicating religious worship by humans dating as far back as 70,000 BC. Also Neanderthals may have had religious practices even before us. So we might not have even been the first species to have religion.
Exactly, however I wasn't trying to illustrate the entire history of supernatural beliefs held by humans and their ancestors. It was directed to AlienGirl and the religious folk on AG who inquire as to how their beliefs could have been influenced by others. Many people don't understand that in a history that spans 60,000+ years, a superstition that's only about 2500 years old is very, very new and would obviously show some influence from the preceding ideologies.
You know I just realized that with a lot of things in these holy books, it's as if they just stole various fables and scriptures from religions of the time, then stamped their own gods name on them.
Alright that's just ridiculous. These people did nothing but rip each other off. How is it that so many Christians still believe in the sexually virgin birth of Christ?
Alright that's just ridiculous. These people did nothing but rip each other off. How is it that so many Christians still believe in the sexually virgin birth of Christ?
That's all religions have done since the dawn of organized religion. Part of what religions want is for everyone to follow their rules, and what better way to eliminate the competition than to absorb their stories and stamp your brand on it?
As for why people still believe these things, I'm guessing it's a combination of a lack of unbiased, factual education on the matter coupled with the desire to believe things that make us feel better. Also, with Christianity being the majority in America (~70% are Christian so I don't want to hear any American Christians bitch about being the persecuted minority) it's often easier to buy into these stories and 'go with the flow' than to speak out in opposition, or at the very least to reject the majority opinion.
Mary was doing what she was told, there was no question if she wanted it or not.
So if she said "Thanks, but no thanks." it would have be celestial rape? Nice God... well thinking about it, rape of a single person would have been one of the lesser crimes this God has committed in comparison to some of the stuff he's said to have done.
God sounds just like a guy at the bar. He sends someone else to Mary who basically says "My mate God, yeah? He right fancies you if you know what I mean, yeah? Basically, you're ****ed". Now, I imagine if she hadn't agreed then God would have slipped Rohypnol in her drink.
the virgin marry bearer of the Jesus many people praise honour this woman. The fact of the matter is do you really belive or not birth giver of Christ The story the Bible gives says its true but is it i belive it is. once again a genreal thought of the matter is needed here
The fact of the matter is do you really belive or not birth giver of Christ The story the Bible gives says its true but is it i belive it is.
Given the common theme among deity born children I highly doubt this case is any different. Though I don't really see how that is relevant, seeing as even if we don't believe the story is true we can still speculate on it's implications.
