So did Buddha, Dionysus, Osiris, etc, etc, etc.....
Paul had his vision AFTER the ascention.
Acts, "....I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, `Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' " `Who are you, Lord?' I asked. " `I am Jesus of Nazareth"
Well, important to history for one. Someone thrown from court to court before his actual execution would have been on record in Roman Culture.
Other "Messiah's" are mentioned by some of the historians listed, but no mention of Jesus.
How could you say his contemporaries didn't find him important? I can name at least twelve that thought he was a god or something, yet, nothing wrtten down.
Not one. Everything we know about Christ is written AFTER his lifetime. I wold think that someone of such importance would riddle historical documents.
These historians lived during that time Jesus was said to have lived. There are staggering amounts of documents about Roman history. Historian Livy alone composed 142 volumes. Other historians who lived during that time are:
Aulus Perseus, Columella, Dio Chrysostom, Justus of Tiberius, Lucanus, Lucius Florus, Petronius, Phaedrus, Philo Judaeus, Phlegon, Pliny the Elder, Plutarch, Pomponius Mela, Rufus Cartius, Quintillian, Quintus Curtius, Seneca, Silius Italicus, Statius Caelicius, Theon of Smyrna, Valerius Flaccus, and Valerius Maximus.
Or anything for that matter. Soft music, the sound of a fan. Anything can be a focal point. No need to label it as a god or use a "Diety" to collect thoughts.
It blinds people and makes them sheeple. And it allows people to blame an invisible diety for the wrongs of the world.
The idea of free will isn't real when discussing god. Here's why....
You can only recieve salvation if you honor, worship,and obey, the "God-man". That is not free will. Free will would be recieving salvation for just living a good moral life. Not because you are forced into worship.
In allowing God to be a spiritual focal point, it tends to pit one person against another. (Religious "my way or the highway" mentality) It's delisional, IMO, to follow an invisible man.
Don't get me wrong, the myth provides a good moral compass for us to follow, but I can get that on my own. It's called being a good human being.
Roscoe says all Dogs are born with the ability to lick his dangle. But he says you can do it too (which is the information you're really after) Just lay on the couch and stretch. Every day for as long as it takes until you can get it.
*****Side note from dog owner******
I tried this recommended method. You have to be careful. Don't over do it. I fell off the couch and sprained my neck. {Very hard to explain how it happened to the EMS}
Roscoe says ther is a heaven, but people don't go there, only animals. You see, the Bible was translated by some guy in Chattanooga, Tennessee who had a minor case of Dslexia. It's supposed to be the "Lord Your DOG"
Roscoe says you should try drinking your booze out of a bowl on the floor. He says it sucks. And it'll slow down your intake, thus controlling hangovers.
I spoke to Roscoe, and he says, and I quote, "The only good cat is a dead cat." He suggests you take a shovel and finish them off before they become dependant on the welfare system.
Why are there no contemporary writers in Jesus' time?
So did Buddha, Dionysus, Osiris, etc, etc, etc.....Paul had his vision AFTER the ascention.
Acts, "....I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, `Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' " `Who are you, Lord?' I asked. " `I am Jesus of Nazareth"