Why is Jesus so popular?

[Insomniac]

I was reading over The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (http://www.levity.com/alchemy/blake_ma.html) again (it's about the only thing by Blake that's not over my head), and I noticed for all of his antagonism to God and religion generally, Blakes lays off on Jesus and even makes sure to try and convince us Jesus is on his side.

As a rule, that seems to be true of pretty much everyone else, too. No matter how much resentment they have for God or how silly they think Christian/theists are, Jesus is a cool guy, and everyone want to co-opt him into their movement. Hey, the Muslims have denied his divinity, but Jesus was still a cool guy for them, too.

When someone like Christopher Hitchens (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/mayweb-only/119-12.0.html) actually criticizes Jesus directly, even a lot of atheists get shocked. That link is actually a really good read in its own sake, and you're probably better off losing yourself in that and ignoring the rest of this topic.

Anyway, what is it about Jesus that has kept all but the most rebellious in the West fond of him? The guy Hitchens is debating with says, "True atheism has two fundamental laws: 1. There is no God. 2. I hate him." But almost every atheist can still say, "1. Jesus wasn't divine. 2. If only his followers listened to him more closely."

Jesus is quoted as saying some very tough things, but no one really remembers them, and no one directs their angst at him.

Why?

[Phil Theehor]

Jesus is quoted as saying some very tough things, but no one really remembers them, and no one directs their angst at him.



For discussion's sake, can you give some examples of quotes attributed to Jesus with which people would take issue?

With the exception of JC speaking out against commerce, I've never read anything objectionable.

[Limp]

Jesus Christ....

[kid_vidrio]

For discussion's sake, can you give some examples of quotes attributed to Jesus with which people would take issue?

With the exception of JC speaking out against commerce, I've never read anything objectionable.
Just off the top of my head, he harshed on the money lenders, and suggested that he who has not sinned should cast the first stone while fronting an angry mob.

Jesus gets a pass not because he had long hair, but because he had some pretty good points about peace and happiness and then got thrown under a bus and nailed to a cross. He healed people and made wine. And then wore a crown of thorns and got whipped and spit on.
It's kind of hard to hate a guy who is portrayed as a lion who chooses to be a lamb and who tells you how to have peace in your life and forgives everyone. He's like water.

[Pax Britannia]

Why is Jesus so popular?

Because he's the son of God. /thread

[Pox]

because he was hung like this:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9nTItnS3VNk/RsZHRuXwf6I/AAAAAAAAExw/9NtZx6mM2vI/s320/Jesus+arms+lifted.bmp

[Mr. Bateman]

its obvious...cause he is a jew.

[halfabubbleoff]

Think about it: You have the image of perfection. He shows enough humanity to be reachable, but enough divine power to rise above the mortal coil. He preached that the poor and unempowered have the greatest chance at eternal bliss. Christianity is also one of the first religions that preached a seamless involvement in society ("Give unto Caesar...."). The Christian church also put in place a hierarchy that did not rely on entitlement.

You tell the most numerous part of the population that they are more deserving and bound for eternal bliss and they kind of take to the guy. Add to that the whole love, kindness, and save your anger for those that deserve it part, and you are set.

That is kind of tailor made for popularity.

[Aegis]

He's popular because the people who think told the people who don't that he is.

Now, there's something to philosophize about.

[Septic_Porpoise]

people accept that Jesus lived, and so they go to the place where Jesus spoke. the bible. whether or not you agree with the bible, it is used as the source to know what He talked about. you won't find many sayings by Jesus that people that care for each other or even just one person would disagree with that pertain to how to interact with your fellow man. even ruling out divinity and basing a religion on them, the words recorded are a pretty concrete way on which to base a society and form of human interaction.

the messages recorded were based upon love and mutual respect, even to those that did not share His beliefs. even the angry parts were shown to be due to reasons of love and respect, and not out of human anger. Jesus would respect an athiest and his beliefs. He might not agree with them, but anger and mockery wouldn't be a part of how the differences were discussed. i think that a lot of non-christians see that, and tend to give the same treatment in return.

[wonderllama]

Cos of his message.
Nobody cares if he farted on other kids in school or perhaps if he wouldn't share with friends. It's the main message they care about, and any bad stuff he may or may not have done will have been removed from the stories over time or were irrelevant to the point of omission.

If Jesus was a reformed heroin addict, he wouldn't have anywhere NEAR the appeal he has now. So either he wasn't, or people knew it wouldn't sell the story/myth.

[Archetype]

When someone like Christopher Hitchens (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/mayweb-only/119-12.0.html) actually criticizes Jesus directly, even a lot of atheists get shocked. That link is actually a really good read in its own sake, and you're probably better off losing yourself in that and ignoring the rest of this topic.

While I hate Hitchens with furiousity, he does bring up interesting points. Nonetheless, I have to ask, were you actually referring to a different point where he has criticized Jesus directly? Because he only really seems to be going after Christianity as a religion there.

[Insomniac]

I may have mixed up his speaking with what he wrote, but I've heard him call loving your enemies very immoral because we should destroy the enemy to survive. I guess about the only thing he says in that debate directly about Jesus is that radical generosity is bad, and he quotes C.S. Lewis to do that. So I lied. I'm a liar.

[CunningRunt]

That Mexican does a damn good landscaping my yard.

[janois]

He always helps people win the Super Bowl. That's always nice of him.

[WET HOT MESS]

Jesus gets all the ladies.

[wizard of oz]

The Christian church also put in place a hierarchy that did not rely on entitlement.


Please explain?

[Okie Medicvet]

Jesus gets all the ladies.

oh yeah:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/okiemedicvet/funny%20inspirational%20pics/hj-1.jpg

[IdiotBrain]

It's not God or Jesus I have a problem with, it's their fan clubs.


http://putitinh.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/buddy_christ.jpg

[Nature's Folly]

To answer the question of the thread:

Great abs.

[Claydon]

Jesus is extremely popular on family guy.

[dadaelus]

http://i41.tinypic.com/2sao4t4.gif

[Mustard]

Jesus is popular because he makes that shit world. mmhmm

[Morfin]

Jesus is extremely popular on family guy.

But not so much on South Park.




Hmmmmmmm.

[Bassmonster]

Fear.

[3rdWorldDetroit]

Jesus = Reality show

watered down for the masses

[dafrk3in]

He was alive too long ago for the dirt to be available today

[dafrk3in]

Joseph Smith, for example, has all of his dirty laundry hanging out to dry because he did things less than 200 years ago.

[splinter]

jesus is popluar because he is our lord and savior, amen.

[Bassmonster]

He is a role model of shorts. He also gives "us" security, by being the only living "connection" to "heaven". It would leave Christianity without a backbone unless there was a "supernatural" being that went to heaven and came back. He's popular because almost everyone is afraid of being insignificant in the Universe, with him "we" have a purpose/ place in the big picture. " " haha

[gilliath]

people are desperate to believe.

[splinter]

we talkin bout that mexican guy?