"Jesus was Way Cool"

[PlasmaHam]

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/JesusWasWayCool

Reviewing TV Tropes like I often do when I'm bored, I came across this page regarding the view of Jesus by non-Christians. I thought this might be an interesting subject here. So to all non-Christians, ignoring the religious aspects, what is your opinion of Jesus as a person? His teachings and philosophies?

[hayley2003]

I kinda like to think Jesus, Buddha, and all the other historical religious leaders as people who had an extraordinary high level of enlightenment. If life were like a game of chess, they could instantly calculate 100s of moves in advance instantly, and pick the best move at any moment. Not saying they are trying to beat anybody, just saying their ability decide what is best can be done instantly, and their choice of what is best is like threading a needle from over a mile away.

[Pultost]

Of course he was cool. He got crucified and took it like a boss. Judas ratted him out, and he wasn't even the slightest little mad at him for that. He was cool alright.

[ShineintheDark]

Jesus as a concept (we won;t delve into theological discussions about whether we should treat him as a real figure or as a metaphor as that's not the discussion we're having) is the perfect, unblemished man: benevolent, pious, forgiving and fundamentally human. The one famous 'imperfect' moment in Christ's life is, of course, the purging of the merchants from the Temple of Jerusalem but I've always seen that more as a rejection of those who have corrupted a sacred place than any anger issues.

[LiberalTurboprop]

I think he's interesting as a historical figure and was certainly a charismatic and good man. He was special but there have been a lot of special preachers over the long-span of history. He was lucky in a way that his teachings and religious group ended up spreading a bit and then gaining institutional power in the powerful Roman Empire. I think it's a fascinating example of the way that history winds and turns.

[Natacha]

Maybe he got crucified because he rubbed people the wrong way and lied to them about walking on water and such stuff. Sorry

[Pultost]

Maybe he got crucified because he rubbed people the wrong way and lied to them about walking on water and such stuff. Sorry

Yeah I think he stepped on the wrong toes.

[LiberalTurboprop]

Yeah I think he stepped on the wrong toes.

Well, the old kingdoms and groups in that region had been consolidated into the Roman province of Judea. The Romans allowed the Jews some independence in their cultural and legal matters but I think Jesus went a bit too far with his stuff and created a disturbance in Jerusalem. And the Romans aren't people you want to cross.

[Pultost]

Well, the old kingdoms and groups in that region had been consolidated into the Roman province of Judea. The Romans allowed the Jews some independence in their cultural and legal matters but I think Jesus went a bit too far with his stuff and created a disturbance in Jerusalem. And the Romans aren't people you want to cross.

True, they weren't messing around.

[Katie2003]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=033FInn1wH8

OK then, at least these people think so........ and that's a real church and a real pastor.

[Zika]

Yeah I think he stepped on the wrong toes.

Yeah, and they nailed him for it.
(ok, is it considered disrespectful to make a joke in a thread like this? sorry if it's taken that way)

[Pultost]

Yeah, and they nailed him for it.
(ok, is it considered disrespectful to make a joke in a thread like this? sorry if it's taken that way)

Well.... that's pretty much what they did. :lol:

[abcdeqwe]

I mean, it was a long time ago and all the stuff that was written about him (I.e. the Bible) cane centuries after his death by people that didn’t even know him personally. So it’s hard to say precisely but from what I’ve heard people say about him, he preached some pretty good and noble ideas and it makes me wonder why people aren’t more socialist lol

[NoLimitGuy]

Firstly you have to prove that Jesus existed in the first place... Then we can talk about his 'philosophy' and 'yeaching'...

[lliam]

I can't agree.

If people discuss the philosophies of Master Yoda or Professor Albus Dumbledore, you can do that with any other fictional or historical character.

In case of teachings attributed to some ancient philosophers, it's not always 100% certain that the philosopher actually existed. But even if he existed, he may not have lived same time when his teachings became popular etc etc.

Therefore one can start from a collective perceived (meta)reality of believers, groups etc and yet discuss the teachings and philosophies of particular historical individuals seriously.

[LiberalTurboprop]

I mean, it was a long time ago and all the stuff that was written about him (I.e. the Bible) cane centuries after his death by people that didn’t even know him personally. So it’s hard to say precisely but from what I’ve heard people say about him, he preached some pretty good and noble ideas and it makes me wonder why people aren’t more socialist lol

The New Testament was written in a period from like about 50-150 years after his death IIRC with a few of the parts written by people who actually knew him but most by people who knew somebody who knew him or people who knew somebody who followed someone who knew someone that knew Jesus. One of the reasons why there are inconsistencies in accounts.

[abcdeqwe]

The New Testament was written in a period from like about 50-150 years after his death IIRC with a few of the parts written by people who actually knew him but most by people who knew somebody who knew him or people who knew somebody who followed someone who knew someone that knew Jesus. One of the reasons why there are inconsistencies in accounts.

I find it hard to believe some of the writers knew him since being able to write wasn’t all that common and the everyday people weren’t living to any kind of ripe old age. Also, I personally can’t see how the Romans would allow the Bible to exist, so it was probably after the fall of the Roman Empire and during the reign of the Bystantines and rulers like Constantine who ardently supported and spread the ideas of Christianity

[LiberalTurboprop]

I find it hard to believe some of the writers knew him since being able to write wasn’t all that common and the everyday people weren’t living to any kind of ripe old age. Also, I personally can’t see how the Romans would allow the Bible to exist, so it was probably after the fall of the Roman Empire and during the reign of the Bystantines and rulers like Constantine who ardently supported and spread the ideas of Christianity

Some of them are based off letters written by Paul the Apostle. Some other ones are also attributed to him but are unlikely to have actually been written by him. Others are written by people considerably later. Education was certainly available to the wealthier people and people involved in administering religious observance - synagogues, churches - would have a knowledge of writing and reading to be able to read sacred texts. And Christianity didn't spring out of nothing, it was spun out of the Jewish faith. A lot of the books are written at a later date but before the time of Constantine. The Romans didn't really crack down on Christianity that hard - though some administrations certainly did persecute Christians quite harshly - because it wasn't like it was some sort of existential threat to the Empire. It would have been just another one of those wacky religious cults that sprang up in various places in the Empire.