Refuted Parallels of Jesus & Ancient Saviors Again...

[Apologeticsislying]

I actually do like reading what Daniel C. Peterson writes sometimes. But you can take it to the bank that about once a year or so, he brings up the bogus parallels of Kearsey Graves and the other 16 Savior figures to Jesus, and then triumphantly proclaims a victory for Jesus and does a victory lap around his bedroom or something or other. And each and every single year he is soundly, thoroughly, and totally refuted. He continues using old, outdated information of an 1868 source and continues to imagine that somehow since Graves is refuted, then Jesus is the real deal and especially the mythic, er historic one who went to America, but not before wiping out the vast majority of the population there (and of course, Dr. Peterson in his love for Jesus refuses to discuss the implications of that wipe out).

And every year, new commenters in his comments section demonstrates to Dr. Peterson that it is time to quit using his Red Herring and phony innuendos of him being in the know while scholars are whistling in the dark, and come up to date on the actual significance of the parallels which he doesn't discuss, and which do have valid meaning, just not in support of Mormon Jesus. And every time he ignores the advice. So, through the years, because of his pathetically lame attempts of supporting his version of historical Jesus, Peterson inadvertently educates the rest of us on just how woefully inadequate the apologetic defense has become in the last 40 years or so. Here is the link, and the comments in the comments section are magnificent this time, better than the previous years I remember. This has become a ritual for Dr. Peterson, of which, I am genuinely grateful he performs, even though it makes him look like a blithering slobbering idiot.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/danpeters ... qus_thread

[deacon blues]

I have enjoyed some of Daniel Peterson's columns, but the snark in the comment sections turns me off. I think almost always obscures rather than clarifies the issues. I like this sentiment from Roger Bacon:

It is certain that never, before God is seen face to face, shall a man know anything with final certainty. . . .For no one is so learned in nature that he knows all . . . .the nature and properties of a single fly. . . . And since, in comparison with what a man knows, those things of which he is ignorant are infinite, and beyond comparison greater and more beautiful, he is out of his mind who extols himself in regard to his own knowledge. . . . The wiser men are, the more humbly they are disposed to receive the instruction of another, nor do they disdain the simplicity of a teacher, but behave humbly towards peasants, old women, and children, since many things are known to the simple and unlearned which escape the notice of the wise. . . . I have learned more important truths from men of humble station than from all the famous doctors. Let no man therefore, boast of his wisdom.-- Roger Bacon (quoted by Will Durrant, "The Age of Faith," p. 1006-07)

But others sometimes find me boring.

[alas]

I have studied some on this topic and Mohamed is the last “savior” that I would pick to show parallels to the Jesus myth. So, to me Dan Peterson sets up a straw man in Mohamed that is supper easy to knock down. Mohamed is seen as a prophet, not a Savior. Now, if Dan Peterson wants to educate himself on the Jesus myth, I would suggest that “When God was a Woman” as a starting place. It traces the evolution of religions from the Mother Goddess and the Sun God who is sacrificed and resurrected to bring back spring, through to the myths of the son of god who is sacrificed.

But I am like Deacon blues and the snark in the comment section turns me off. If a person has something intelligent to say, just say it and skip insulting other commenters. But when the whole of the conversation is “give your sources” about things that Biblical scholars take as common knowledge, I just want to tell the commenters to educate themselves before jumping into a conversation and I sure don’t want to join that conversation, because no, I don’t remember where I read something 30 years, but I read it from several different sources. It becomes like having a conversation with angry third graders.

P. S. Why I spend time on NOM and not some of the other discussion boards.

[Apologeticsislying]

When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone? That was a fantastic book! I couldn't get enough of it for many years. In fact it kinda catapulted me into Raphael Patai's materials on the Hebrew Goddess stuff which just still blows my mind! And I'll tell you another one, that if nothing else is unmatched for reference is Barbara Walker's behemoth The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets.

[alas]

When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone? That was a fantastic book! I couldn't get enough of it for many years. In fact it kinda catapulted me into Raphael Patai's materials on the Hebrew Goddess stuff which just still blows my mind! And I'll tell you another one, that if nothing else is unmatched for reference is Barbara Walker's behemoth The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets.

The stuff on the Hebrew Goddess is mind blowing. My son took a course in college about archeology of the Holy Land. So, there is really proof of some of that stuff. Real chiseled into rock proof. Gee, that tree Goddess the Bible is so nasty about? That was God’s wife. The Hebrews were pagan. (According to modern definitions of pagan) Hey, even Encyclopedia Judica (or something like that) totally blew my mind. The Godhead originally consisted of a Father, a Mother, a Son, and a Daughter. But the role of the daughter has been lost. And let’s not even get started on Lilith.

But, I finally had to say that too much research into that kind of stuff just left me agnostic. The “truth” has changed so much over time that there is no truth, or rather, that we humans have no clue.

And it left me too angry at men.

Nature heals me, so maybe now I have backed up all the way into Pantheism. My daughter is pagan, and tells me I would make a good pagan, but I think I am likening religion more before males got their grubby paws on it, no offense to current males, just the ones centuries ago.

[Apologeticsislying]

Yes, I sympathize with you entirely. The stupid way Western man has treated the Goddess is inexcusable. Lucky for us the East looked askance at the West and said, no thank you, we don't want to be dopes like you are being.

The good news is, the Goddess can never disappear, so it will rise here and there again and again, since it is not for organizations, but individual parlance to recognize her and incorporate her into our lives as we are able.

[Palerider]

But others sometimes find me boring.

Since sarcasm and cynicism aren't true forms of communication, even when executed on a highly intelligent level, I find you sincere and willing to learn.

Boring?

Nope.

[Anon70]

So, there is really proof of some of that stuff. Real chiseled into rock proof. Gee, that tree Goddess the Bible is so nasty about? That was God’s wife. The Hebrews were pagan. (According to modern definitions of pagan) Hey, even Encyclopedia Judica (or something like that) totally blew my mind. The Godhead originally consisted of a Father, a Mother, a Son, and a Daughter. But the role of the daughter has been lost. And let’s not even get started on Lilith.

But, I finally had to say that too much research into that kind of stuff just left me agnostic. The “truth” has changed so much over time that there is no truth, or rather, that we humans have no clue.

And it left me too angry at men.

I add...and it makes me too irritated and tired to keep trying to have good conversations so I just avoid these conversations in real life. I admire the people that continue to fight the good fight but I do not see change. Just retrenchment (ahem, DP as example)

[deacon blues]

But others sometimes find me boring.

Since sarcasm and cynicism aren't true forms of communication, even when executed on a highly intelligent level, I find you sincere and willing to learn.

Boring?

Nope.

Yeah. Idaho dudes gotta stick together. We be profound.

Thanks, Pale, I always enjoy your posts. Maybe I should ask you to speak at my funeral. I'll bring it up with my wife and kids. I'll say you're my hmmm--, bishop? pastor? spirit guide?

[Random]

I have enjoyed some of Daniel Peterson's columns, but the snark in the comment sections turns me off. I think almost always obscures rather than clarifies the issues. I like this sentiment from Roger Bacon:

It is certain that never, before God is seen face to face, shall a man know anything with final certainty. . . .For no one is so learned in nature that he knows all . . . .the nature and properties of a single fly. . . . And since, in comparison with what a man knows, those things of which he is ignorant are infinite, and beyond comparison greater and more beautiful, he is out of his mind who extols himself in regard to his own knowledge. . . . The wiser men are, the more humbly they are disposed to receive the instruction of another, nor do they disdain the simplicity of a teacher, but behave humbly towards peasants, old women, and children, since many things are known to the simple and unlearned which escape the notice of the wise. . . . I have learned more important truths from men of humble station than from all the famous doctors. Let no man therefore, boast of his wisdom.-- Roger Bacon (quoted by Will Durrant, "The Age of Faith," p. 1006-07)

I'm finding an awful lot of profound comments on NOM today. Thank you for the quote.

[Random]

But, I finally had to say that too much research into that kind of stuff just left me agnostic. The “truth” has changed so much over time that there is no truth, or rather, that we humans have no clue.

So true. The more I learn, the less I know. It's like a whole stack of realms open up, realms that don't fit into the neat little boxes I learned were The Truth while I was a faithful true believing Mormon (in those days, "Mormon" was not a word used as a victory for Satan).

[Apologeticsislying]

deacon blues
Yeah. Idaho dudes gotta stick together. We be profound.

Idaho dudes need to get together and do lunch or even dinner!!!

[deacon blues]

Are you from Idaho Apolog? I live in Utah now, but I grew up in Idaho.

[Apologeticsislying]

I am but you are not too far away either.....I mean, we're talkin food here man....