If you think about it, someone just could've told someone "the story of Jesus," jokingly, but they believed him so he just decided to go along with it.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

But there actually was a man named Jesus who claimed to be the son of God and he was crucified because of it.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

:$ vvvvv

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Yeah I read something in Time magazine that they've found the nails used to crucify who they think was Jesus in Israel. The arguement isn't whether Jesus was a real dude, He was, the arguement is whether He was the son of God etc.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Isn't there historical evidence that Jesus lived though? I don't actually have a legitimate source to back that up but I've seen that claim in several places.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Ah, so have I. I didn't exactly mean the story of Jesus living, just the story of him being the son of god and junk

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I tried to find some extra-biblical accounts of Jesus. This is all I really got: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_Jesus#Josephus There are some conspiracy theorists that say Jesus didn't exist at all, but most scholars (and rational people) agree that a Jewish man named Jesus was a born to a Mary and Joseph around 4 BC-4 AD, and was executed.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

Not only are religious traditions steeped in tradition and history, but they do have the power to change lives, whether they are actually true or not. You can't really blame people for believing something that has not been dis proven, but has appeared to be confirmed by the experience they have gleaned from it. Nor can you criticize people who HAVE found serious issues with a religion and have not experienced anything from religion or spirituality. The way I see it, both atheism and faith are valid positions, as neither can be confirmed as fact but both have very good arguments.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

I agree, and I would expound on this by saying that both view points can only be confirmed in the hearts and minds of the individual person.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

What you're saying is true, but I don't think that was the point of the post. The OP didn't really criticize people for believing in religion, but stated that the only reason that religion still exists is because a lot of people chose to believe what they heard. In other words, Christianity wouldn't still exist (at least 2 thousand years after it started) if it weren't for Christians teaching other people about the bible and how God existed (and people believing those Christians).

by Anonymous 12 years ago

While I see your point, and can assume with you that's what OP meant, gullibility usually is meant in a demeaning way, as in calling one stupid for believing everything they hear. And I think Joe took it the same way I did.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

people always ask me "why do you believe in God? what evidence do you have to support your belief?" and i say "because i have experienced his presence in my life." besides, i kind of think God is synonymous with love, and i most certainly believe in love :]

by Anonymous 12 years ago

well from an atheists perspective there is actually a part of the brain which supposedly generates a feeling of not being alone which can be interpreted as God). Religion also isn't just about believing in a deity. It's also about culture, living an organized life and deciding what things are morally right.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

It's called schizophrenia and everyone believes in it.

by Anonymous 12 years ago

"You talk to God, you're religious; God talks to you, you're crazy." -Dr. House

by Anonymous 12 years ago

It's natural to look for answers to those kinds of questions. It doesn't matter whether you think religion saved your life, or if you think it's the stupidest idea ever, it's only natural to want to know about our beginnings.

by Anonymous 12 years ago