Apech

I actually can't remember if it is in the article or if I just extrapolated it as a conclusion. Christians were persecuted and martyred systematically - I think that perhaps only John escaped this fate - so I think they would have been in danger certainly. Would they be believed - I don't know. But of course this can be interpreted as Christ fulfilling the law - if you take the law to be the predictions of the ancient world. I would not exclude what you say but was specifically talking about European history and culture which was informed by the story of Christ and at the same time shaped it into a form which became the basis for it.

I would remind the celebrated souls of DaoBums that we have a thread on the gospel of Thomas

by all accounts Jesus did get himself nailed down.

So the original prophesy refers to a young woman but the Gospel writers thought this meant a virgin 'intacto' and so they made up the story that Mary was a virgin when she conceived Christ? Because presumably they wanted to show that Jesus fulfilled prophesy and was indeed the messiah who was foretold. That's quite interesting because there is quite a lot a vagueness about the Jesus family - for instance I don't think we get told what happened to Joseph, while Mary remains quite prominent. Also Jesus is supposed to have brothers James and Judas (not Iscariot another one) - and also there is some suggestion that because Thomas means twin and he was called Thomas Didymus (also means twin) that he was also a (possibly even twin) brother of Christ also. In the Gospel of John Jesus tells him (John) to look after Mary as his own mother. Given there was a Jesus family, and possibly quite a lot of them, (although James is martyred ) what happened to the others and where did they go? I think most of the apostles are crucified except John who presumably whisked Mary away to safety. Which brings us to the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail idea that there is a hidden bloodline of Jesus somewhere in Europe. I find this idea very appealing but one wonders what they have been up to for 2000 years. I am also quite keen on the mystery Jesus which actually picks up on some ancient myths concerning the sacrificed/wounded king - and pop up again in the High Middle ages in Arthurian myth (the Fisher King). Historically true or not there's no doubt that the Jesus story taps in to some deep narrative themes which underpin European culture. The same narratives which Tolkien tried to revive in his works LOTR etc.

Dan Brown is completely awful - almost unreadably absurd.

lol ok thanks for clarifying your understanding.

It was that book that Dan Brown ripped off in The Da Vinci Code.

Well it is said that the goal of Theravada is becoming an Arhat and the goal of Mahayana Buddhism is to become a Buddha. And in the case of Vajrayana to become a Buddha in one life time. As far as I know the only one of these which has an alchemical process is Vajrayana.

I see , thank you. You have changed your original reply which makes your question clearer. Is the creation of an immortal soul a goal of Buddhism? If so what type of Buddhism since it is not really a monolith? The Buddhas solution to dukkha is the eightfold path which includes right concentration. And some would say that this is about realizing the non-self and that this brings liberation. it is not particularly my view though .

‘we’?

eightfold noble path

it would be a long way to go just to see another dead dinosaur 🦕

No I missed it! Very disappointed.

‘simple’ when you leave out a lot. But basically correct.

I can explain it but it would take a very long post.

Perfectly normal

What’s the matter don’t you like lettuce ?

Giving birth standing is not so unusual - the Egyptians did this also.

Luke 1:38 And Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” = consent

You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.

That depends on whether he is being Iranaeus or Northrop Frye.

I was brought up in a country which had an established state religion (the Church of England based on the moral compass of Henry VIII) and as my parents were both atheists the only place I received any religious instruction was at school. The only mandatory event at school in those days was the daily school assembly where the whole school gathered in the hall while the headmaster read out Bible stories such as the one where a woman touches the hem of His garment and is healed, or when they lower a man on a mattress through the roof to be healed. 'Pick up your bed and walk'. I used to sit (aged 7 -11) in rapt attention and usually with a lump in my throat and close to tears. Being somewhat tunnel vision autistic I never realised the general scorn amongst my schoolmates. My best friend was Jewish and thus excused, so I never got to discuss it with him. But for me the very thought of the transcendent was deeply moving. I think I loved Jesus in those days. But it was an unexpressed love. My father of course just scowled at anything even vaguely religious.

The second film is one long yawn.

it gladdened me to think you are a religious person - I had assumed you were a hard bitten textual critic - perhaps it was your name.