"Probably because they aren't facts"
If you (or anyone else in the universe) can find me one quote attributed to "Jesus" that is an original idea, then I will revise my opinion. Otherwise, my opinion on the matter is verified beyond a reasonable doubt as factual. You are claiming that something is not a fact. What is your specific claim?
Please give the exact quote so we know we are discussing the purported words of "Jesus", and not the words of commentators.
"You know some people have a real problem with the fact that there was probably this guy (Jesus) that was a pretty special person"
I doubt that. None of his contemporaries had heard of him (the great Seneca, for instance). And many of his teachings have been proven beyond any doubt to have been impossible to the time.
As for his teachings, they are unremarkable--and in many cases loathsome and reprehensible.
"the idea of forgiving your enemies was quite remarkable"
Encouraging thugs and criminals to commit assault and loot your property when such acts ought to draw accountability and punishment was a moronic idea.
I would not want to be his enemy, his neighbour, his friend....and especially not his family.
" If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." – Luke 14.26
How far does Jesus go with this malevolent (and plainly ridiculous) dictum? Matthew provides the answer:
jesusneverexisted.com
"And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death." – Matthew 10.21
So much for "Jesus". Now who are these guys.
"Who is there among us who does not admire Lykourgos of Sparta, in his response to being blinded in one eye by a fellow-citizen. The people handed the young man over to him, to take whatever vengeance he wanted. He refrained from any retaliation in kind, but educated him and made a good man of him."
– Epictetus, Encheiridion.
"Someone gets angry with you. Challenge him with kindness in return. Enmity immediately tumbles away when one side lets it fall." – Seneca, De Ira
"It's a pitiably small-minded person who gives bite for bite." - Seneca, De Ira
" We shall never desist from working for the common good, helping one another, and even our enemies, till our helping hand is stricken with age." - Seneca, De Otio
"It is a denial of justice not to stretch out a helping hand to the fallen; that is the common right of humanity."
– Seneca the Elder
______________________________
And "Jesus"
"For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household." – Matthew 10.35,36
Yep....he forgives you all to Hell, all right. |
