The spread of Christianity

[Jeff V]

Whethter you belive or not, it has to be at least curious how quickly Christianity spread. In a time of Roman emperors, and Egyptian kings why did people decide to follow a supposed blasphemer? A common crminal? Surely Ceasar was better known why not worship him? 11 of the 12 apostles were executed for their faith, and the 12th was exiled. They along with many others were given a choice- denounce Jesus and be spared, or continue to spread the word and die. Why did so many choose to spread the word?

BTW I think we've all heard the David Koresh analogy, and I really don't think it holds much weight.

Please cite your references to this historical claim -- that 11 of 12 people were killed for their faith in this fellow named "Jesus".

[txag007]

[ QUOTE ]
Please cite your references to this historical claim -- that 11 of 12 people were killed for their faith in this fellow named "Jesus".

[/ QUOTE ]
The Bible only records the deaths of two apostles, James and Judas. The deaths of the others is recorded in the early writings of church historians. To be fair, some details about these deaths is still unknown because it was initially passed down by tradition.

As for the historical writings, Eusebius wrote his history of the early church in 325 A.D. Another church historian, Schumacher also researched the deaths of the apostles.

The apostles deaths are as follows:

Matthew: killed by sword in Ethiopa

Mark: dragged by horses in Egypt

Luke: hanged in Greece

John: boiled in hot water in Rome. He survived. Later went on to write the book of Revelation and died of old age.

Peter: crucified upside down on an X shaped cross.

James the Just: thrown 100 feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the temple. He survived and was then beaten to death.

Bartholomew: death by whip in Armenia

Andrew: crucified on X shaped cross in Greece

James the Greater: beheaded in Jerusalem

Thomas: stabbed with a spear in India

Jude (brother of Jesus): killed by arrows

Matthias: stoned and then beheaded

Barnabas: stoned at Salonica

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Please cite your references to this historical claim -- that 11 of 12 people were killed for their faith in this fellow named "Jesus".

[/ QUOTE ]
The Bible only records the deaths of two apostles, James and Judas. The deaths of the others is recorded in the early writings of church historians.

[/ QUOTE ]

So, the Bible, and some writings by Christians a few centuries after the events. Surely an Apologist could see that these sources are not significant to persuade a non-believer that the OP's claim is even historically accurate, much less that it gives credence to the divinity of Jesus. People die for false beliefs all the time.

I would also like to remind the OP that even the historical accuracy of "Jesus" is suspect:

http://www.truthbeknown.com/origins.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jcno.htm

[txag007]

[ QUOTE ]
I would also like to remind the OP that even the historical accuracy of "Jesus" is suspect:

http://www.truthbeknown.com/origins.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jcno.htm

[/ QUOTE ]

Most (I could almost say all) historians disagree with the viewpoints to which you linked. There are so many non-Biblical, non-Christian references to Jesus in historical writings that His existence isn't really an issue.

Here is a link to a few of those references.

EDIT: Also, one of your links refers to Jesus as a copycat of earlier myths. This page contains detailed discussions of why that view is incorrect.

Here's another one:
http://www.infidels.org/library/mode...ury/chap5.html

Never underestimate the human species' capacity to latch on to stupid ideas. History is rife with examples.

[JackWhite]

[ QUOTE ]
Never underestimate the human species' capacity to latch on to stupid ideas. History is rife with examples.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is following Jesus a "stupid idea?" Not commenting on the Son of God aspect, but just the teachings. Most seem like decent ideas. Can you give me examples of the stupid ideas Jesus taught...again, not counting Son of God references.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Never underestimate the human species' capacity to latch on to stupid ideas. History is rife with examples.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is following Jesus a "stupid idea?" Not commenting on the Son of God aspect, but just the teachings. Most seem like decent ideas. Can you give me examples of the stupid ideas Jesus taught...again, not counting Son of God references.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can you give me David Koresh's stupid ideas ... not counting his claim to be the next messiah, though?