Community | April 09, 2009 | 55 comments

Resurrections Throughout History

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DeliaTheArtist
Think Jesus is the only "son of god" to come back from the dead? No sir! LiveScience takes a look at Resurrection myths- Happy Easter!

"Ancient accounts tell of an important figure whose birth would be heralded by a star in the heavens, a god who would later judge the dead. He would be murdered in a betrayal by one close to him, his body hidden away — though not for long, as he would return in a miraculous resurrection to begin an eternal reign in heaven.

To his legions of followers, he (and his resurrection) came to symbolize the promise of eternal life.

The figure, Osiris, was the supreme god in ancient Egypt, only one of many pagan gods worshipped thousands of years before the birth of Jesus. Indeed, though Jesus is currently the best-known example of a resurrected figure, he is far from the only one.

Is resurrection real?"

Check out the link for more!
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55 comments // Resurrections Throughout History

  • 02
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      02  
    • I'll tell you what Easter is good for:

      I used to get Safeway to donate 90 dozen eggs - around which a group of families would gather to color. People would make little baskets with candy and green and stuffed animals. A map committee would argue routes.
      At 10 PM on Saturday, everybody would don the rabbit ears I had made (with the help of the old lady down the street), Ride of the Vakyries played and we'd head out across town to sneak, snickering onto the properties of poor kids and leave a custom egg hunt right there for when they got up in the morning, their whole family would be surprised to find the Easter Bunny really does exist.

    • 2 years ago
  • DeliaTheArtist
  • NuclearLullaby
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      NuclearLullaby  
    • Delia, you are awesome! & you indeed did you homework on this one! Myths seem to make their way into many cultures! How would any one explain dragons being in stories told all over the world! I think I have become very addicted to your postings Delia, they are very well thought up ! Keep up the good work! Lets not forget that Satan was also resurrected in a way! Satan wasn't even a part of christian myth until the later additions of the Bible! But here's how I explain his resurrection! He was one of god's consorts,but he wished to be something more! God killed him & rather then him going to heaven he went to a dark realm known as hell where he was resurrected as the face of evil! While it is true some people have came back from the dead, it usually takes a lot of energy to put life in a human body,thus making this occur rarely & semi randomly! Jesus appearing with only scars wear wounds would be is highly unlikely! To even be put on a cross without his hands & feet just getting ripped to shreads & him just falling off the cross,Jesus would have had to be nailed through the wrist with his feet nailed to a small platform! It is also suggested that he was covered in rope,but no one can prove that! But if the nails were through the hands as many seem to claim, then it is likely Jesus could have fallen from the cross just hours after crowds left it! But as many crosses were burned with the bodies on in those days,as a very vile execution, it is very unlikely Jesus came back from the dead! I enjoy this discussion & wish to have many more! Thanks!

    • 2 years ago
  • Bahai144
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      Bahai144  
    • NuclearLullaby:

      The unfortunate thing about your post is that it's a simple reaction to all of the false ideas taught by the so called Christian Churches. You're going on about the lies the clergy tells about the details of accounts of the execution of Jesus.

      To assist:

      If one bothers to look into the matter they will find out that Jesus was not stretched out on a cross as the "churches" depict. He was in fact nailed to a pole with arms stretched overhead, hands nailed to either side of the pole and feet nailed the same way. That was the way they did it so to even argue about the ins and outs of the "crucifixion" as it is falsely put forth is to engage in an absurd back and forth which leads nowhere much less to increased understanding.

      This is only one single example among hundreds if not thousands in which the misdirection of the entire discussion by the clergy has caused people who would have been able to actually comprehend the truth of many things religious to engage in pointless arguments about meaningless minutia.

    • 2 years ago
  • GDannsk
  • Bahai144
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      Bahai144  
    • This is not exactly a big revelation to students of history or religion even though knowing this gets people no closer to knowing what the whole Resurrection parable is about especially in the case of Jesus.

      The funny thing about the arguments that revolve around the topic whether here or elsewhere is that they miss the point of the subject of Resurrection completely.

      So do the so called "religious scholars" and clergy to say nothing of how far off their followers are from understanding the reality of Resurrection.

      For a completely different understanding of the subject, here's a short explanation of what Resurrection actually is as it pertains to Jesus of the Bible.

      You can apply it to the others just as easily as the whole reanimation thing isn't what any of them are about.

    • 2 years ago
  • jh64487
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      jh64487  
    • yea...try telling this to an evangelical. most atheists probably know the bible better than any evangelical.

      it's like banging your head against a brick wall.

      that's why I like catholics. sure they may have just made up shit to fill in the blanks, but at least they did something as logical as that. evangelicals are nutty as squirrels

    • 2 years ago
  • pressrecord
  • walski
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      walski  
    • Exactly who cares about resurrection, this doesn't disprove Christianity. They happened in the Torah before Christ and the same stories can be found in the New Testament. Scientific info related to resurrection has no place with religion but definitely in medical journals. Go to an ER and hear all about people coming back from the dead.

      This was an interesting post when someone else wrote it four years ago and they referred to someone who wrote in 10 years before them. Happy Easter

    • 2 years ago
  • DeliaTheArtist
    • 0
      DeliaTheArtist  
    • walski:

      "Exactly who cares about resurrection"- um, Christians, and the majority of America who will be celebrating Easter on Sunday? Just a guess.

      "this doesn't disprove Christianity." Which part of Christianity? What this does is "disprove" the notion that Jesus's story is original.

      "Scientific info related to resurrection has no place with religion." This article is NOT about scientific resurrection; it is about the fact that the mythology of supernatural resurrection is found in many civilizations and cultures throughout history.

    • 2 years ago
  • walski
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      walski  
    • walski:

      Slarabee couldn't agree more and you statement "The words hold as much relevance now as they did then" are the exact words many people use when crediting a 2,000 year old book called The Bible.

      My first encounter with this idea was 4 years ago in my last apocolypsism class, when I earned a degree in religion because I was also interested in others' "viewpoints," Delia. Thanks for your insight, however let me enlighten you about Christians, they believe in the whole story, virgin conception, miraculous birth when King Herod was destroying every child in sight. They also have faith in the Miracles of Christ (including raising Lazarus from the dead, another resurrection for you) that were not just recorded by his disciples (the stories of those guys will blow your mind also) but Christ's miracles were recorded by those who wanted to kill him in the first place. This included the Pharisees and the Sadducees, because Christ claimed he did them as the "Son of God" and for performing some on the Sabbath (kind of a big deal back then.) Also Pilot's court reporters took detailed about a guy who was being killed for blasphemy.

      Delia that is an original story, even my Atheist professor agreed. So don't lecture me on Christianity when you are ignorant to it.

      Also "Faith" is blind, otherwise it isn't faith, it's fact

    • 2 years ago
  • DeliaTheArtist
    • 0
      DeliaTheArtist  
    • walski:

      "Delia that is an original story, even my Atheist professor agreed. So don't lecture me on Christianity when you are ignorant to it."

      That's ridiculous. There are certainly going to be some aspects of Jesus's story that are different from others- but the main tenants of faith you mentioned- the "virgin conception, miraculous birth", miracles, being the "son of god", being crucified AND resurrected ALL APPEAR in other civilization's mythologies- refer to the article itself, my first response and the video I posted for sources; I can give you more if you want them.

      So please don't lecture ME condesendingly about my ignorance when you clearly have some of your own.

    • 2 years ago
  • walski
    • 0
      walski  
    • walski:

      Delia your first claim to me about Christians was ignorant, sorry but it is true. Again, I said "the whole story is an original."

      You said "blind faith annoys you," well it annoys me when someone, such as yourself, takes snapshots of a belief to disprove it, and then claim you believe in the most relative of terms,"having fun" you said? Charles Manson had fun warping people, Dalmer had fun eating them. And why do you use a 4th grade knowledge of religion to disprove others' beliefs? Because you have a personal grudge against Christians?

      Well guess what? You posted that "people should question their universe," well that was the genesis of "Christians." Which was a derogatory term labeled to those, who were considered "Pagans," that questioned their religiously oppressive government and followed a poor, "compassionate" (another thing you believe in) homeless, guy who told everyone to "love one another" (another statement you posted) giving all possessions to the poor and following Him.

      In fact, Delia, by now I am thinking you are a bigger fan of Christian beliefs than most people.

    • 2 years ago
  • DeliaTheArtist
    • 0
      DeliaTheArtist  
    • walski:

      "Delia your first claim to me about Christians was ignorant, sorry but it is true. Again, I said "the whole story is an original."
      Which claim? And I will again say NO, the whole story is NOT original. There are many aspects of the Jesus story that have appeared in mythology before him. If this is "4th grade knowledge", why are you disputing it? Have I not given you enough evidence and sources that prove how many parts of the Jesus story appear in multiple civilizations?

      "You said "blind faith annoys you" - No, I said "Blind faith" is dangerous to society.

      "takes snapshots of a belief to disprove it" - Again, that's not what happened. This article is about the aspects of Christianity that are shared among other cultures; I never claimed this disproved the entirety of Christianity at all.

      "Charles Manson had fun warping people, Dalmer had fun eating them." Did they? I'm not sure we can simplify the psychological motivations of serial killers to "fun". If you had read on, my "belief" in having fun with life was to explore and do what you are passionate about, not hedonism or killing people.

      "And why do you use a 4th grade knowledge of religion to disprove others' beliefs? Because you have a personal grudge against Christians? " What is the "4th grade knowledge" you are talking about? No, I have no personal grudge against Christians, however many Christians seem either ignorant or defensive about their pagan influences and in my opinion, do not follow the words of Christ very well at all.

      "In fact, Delia, by now I am thinking you are a bigger fan of Christian beliefs than most people." Indeed. You see, you stereotyped me off the bat- just because I'm an atheist does not mean I am unfamiliar with the bible and Jesus's words nor that I don't appreciate them. The messages of love, peace, compassion and hope are definitely ones I can stand behind- however they are not completely original either, as Buddha was teaching and practicing them long before Jesus was.

    • 2 years ago
  • walski
    • 0
      walski  
    • walski:

      Delia you're right I need to clarify, I mean the "whole story" put together as one, not every part is original, but the entire string of events is original for one's life is. The evidence you gave is convincing, but so is David Copperfield's magic and the psychics all over Vegas.

      Furthermore, I never stereotyped you, I didn't know you're an atheist, I asked a question, but you answered my second question by lashing out and being defensive. Also as an Atheist I would hope you have a firm grasp on other religions, I would think it is vital for you. Thanks for refreshing me about Buddha, now you're talking my beliefs. But again the characteristics about Christ that are original are the events of his entire life, then put together as one story. Also, that he claimed to be the "Son of God" and the "Sacrificial Lamb."

      It is an interesting article and video but it's pretty basic religious knowledge hence my calling it 4th grade knowledge, basic Social Studies. Also by proving Christianity, which once was a Pagan religion, has similar characteristics as others, does not disprove its validity. That's like saying Native Americans are wrong for believing in many gods because Hindus were doing it first.

      Anyways, always a pleasure Delia and although I only spent one semester volunteering at a modern art museum, I really do like your art, it's "original" ;-)

    • 2 years ago
  • DeliaTheArtist
    • 0
      DeliaTheArtist  
    • walski:

      "but you answered my second question by lashing out and being defensive." Which one? I didn't think I came off that way; at least I wasn't trying to but point it out to me so I can be aware of it!

      "Also as an Atheist I would hope you have a firm grasp on other religions, I would think it is vital for you." Agreed.

      "But again the characteristics about Christ that are original are the events of his entire life, then put together as one story." I understand what you are saying, but still disagree. The "entire life" of Jesus isn't known, the validity of Jesus's existence isn't proven, and it's not written as one story, but several.

      "Also by proving Christianity, which once was a Pagan religion, has similar characteristics as others, does not disprove its validity. That's like saying Native Americans are wrong for believing in many gods because Hindus were doing it first." I should have been more specific here, but I'm not trying to invalidate Christianity or say that religions are "wrong."

      The overall purpose of this article and point I was trying to make to you is that Christ's particular story of resurrection borrows heavily from many other religions that came before him, (some) of his teachings and many other aspects that contribute to people believing in the divinity of Jesus Christ. Christianity is a retelling of many savior stories before it- that makes a statement about it's "validity", even if it doesn't negate it entirely.

    • 2 years ago
  • 02
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      02  
    • walski:

      That's an underlying point here: whether Christianity is "wrong" -
      What does this mean? I presume you are thinking that Christianity sits in a physical foundation, ascribed or presumed from teaching, that could seem to be disproved. Where sciences or physical discoveries might pose a disproof, or an argument for disproof.

      The various sciences are an accumulation of physical studies, and in relation to the view of the religious, must be considered as at least adding to human understanding of the Flesh of God, which surely must be the Universe, however it eventually comes to be understood.

      Religions have been lynching such accumulators for centuries - for fear of of the consequences of doubt.

      While scientists can be pedantic tinkerers - and their devices for measure flawed and apt to change, still a larger picture has been slowly piled high.
      We spin on our course in this solar system - and in the galaxy and when the Hubble takes a snap-shot of just a pinpoint in the heavens, we see 10,000 galaxies.

      The notions of humans - are all wrong.
      At least up to this time.

      The Universe, or "God" is bigger than humans - and all their pictures painted, and all their religions,
      - or it wouldn't be God.

    • 2 years ago
  • 02
  • krush_productions
  • good_stuff
  • sgwhites
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      sgwhites  
    • Resurrection is definitely a theme that shows up again and again in mythology so clearly, something about it must resonate with people!

      Though, I wonder how many of those cultures actually took a literal interpretation? Most of my reading seems to indicate that resurrection is viewed metaphorically, as we're constantly changing as we move through life.

    • 2 years ago
  • artemis6
  • DeliaTheArtist
  • jh64487
  • DeliaTheArtist
  • DeliaTheArtist
    • 0
      DeliaTheArtist  
    • Right, schobiz! And I'd have no problem with that if most religions didn't claim to be "THE" one and only true story.

      We should be more comfortable in admitting that these religious concepts occur over and over again- as Slarabee pointed out, Zeitgeist brings up what you were talking about with worshipping the cosmos- I've posted the link to that part of the video. It certainly makes a LOT of sense.

    • 2 years ago
  • schobiz
    • 0
      schobiz  
    • DeliaTheArtist:

      I agree, Delia. If we were able to recognize that these religions were all connected through a similar origin, maybe they would become reasons to unite us rather than divide us. Acharya S (author of Zietgiest) came out a with a book recently called "Christ in Egypt". It goes into great detail about Christian themes in Egyptian religion.

    • 2 years ago
  • PatrioticAstronaut
  • DeliaTheArtist
  • schobiz
  • pjacobs51
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      pjacobs51  
    • DeliaTheArtist:

      I agree with the Zietgiest version, where resurrection is actually based on movements of the Sun. The Winter solstice (the death) and then the sun stays at the same position for three days until moving back upward in the sky (the resurrection.)

    • 2 years ago
  • DeliaTheArtist
  • PatrioticAstronaut
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      PatrioticAstronaut  
    • DeliaTheArtist:

      Well, If you question God, Religion, etc.; what stops you from questioning everything? Why believe in anything? If everything can be questioned. You will find a point in your life that you may, or may not have already experienced. This will pertain to the limits of your inquisitiveness. How far can I go? You may ask. Am I a nihilist? Maybe. Am I an existentialist? Does love exist, or is it simply an illusion provided by chemicals in the brain? In the end, you will probably find that everything you've done has been a waist of time. Not so much because you are not important. The real reason is that nobody would ever know your conclusion. If they did. You would have started a new religion. And this would defy the original purpose of your questioning. Its an endless circle. Its not worth anyones time.

    • 2 years ago
  • DeliaTheArtist
    • 0
      DeliaTheArtist  
    • DeliaTheArtist:

      I'm going to have to disagree with you on that one. We SHOULD question everything, and the fact that anything is possible does not stop us from weighing probability.

      For example, I "believe" that the internet exists- Why? Is it based from ancient prophecy or scripture? No- it's because evidence can be provided for it's existence both on a personal level and through all other scientific disciplines.

      Now, if we get into a bigger thing of "Well, how do you know YOU exist," and whatnot, I view that more of a fun philosophical brain game than anything else. Truth be told it doesn't really matter if we exist, because I am experiencing my life whether it is "real" or a dream inside a dream. So, questions like that don't bother me too much.; I'll either find out when I die or I won't and I won't care because I'm dead :)

      When it comes to love, it doesn't matter if it's chemicals or not- love is a word we use to describe an emotional state, a concept- it is NOT something tangible and I don't know anyone who thinks it is.

      You said "In the end, you will probably find that everything you've done has been a waist of time. Not so much because you are not important. The real reason is that nobody would ever know your conclusion" I most likely won't find that everything I've done is a WASTE of time, because I like the things I do. I make art, I pet my kitty cats, I make love to my fiancee. I don't need gratification that people know my conclusions to make me happy (though I like it- or else why would I be yapping my trap on Current all day?) ... That's why I put having fun as the most important thing I "believe" in. Do what makes you happy, explore what that means - if you live life like that, what is there to regret at the end?

    • 2 years ago
  • PatrioticAstronaut
    • 0
      PatrioticAstronaut  
    • DeliaTheArtist:

      Touche. I respect your view on life. You obviously are very aware of your beliefs, or opinions, and you are happy. I find that to be the most critical, and important factors in any belief system. I must also ask, If for no other reason then to know; why then, do you post stories that may, or may not make others question their beliefs? Do you do it out of disrespect? Or do you do this because you feel compelled to spread your personal realizations to others?

    • 2 years ago
  • DeliaTheArtist
  • sk8bs55
    • 0
      sk8bs55  
    • DeliaTheArtist:

      "[...]and it harm none, do as ye may."

      it seems as though some people don't have much else to live for but, reality in their own illusion. and if that illusion does no one harm then why not let them alone to do it. they may be able to do more good if they have something to believe in. it would be inhumane to take that away from them indescriminently and with out sympathy. always remember understanding, compassion and light-heartedness in this.

      "there will be an answer, let it be."

    • 2 years ago
  • 02
    • 0
      02  
    • DeliaTheArtist:

      Ahh, but people do harm. How many people have been hung or crucified by religions?
      The librarian at Alexandria was skinned alive by the zealots. The knowledge of the world was burned and destroyed.
      What were the zealots? The first generation of ignorant dumbies who pulled the civilized world down and smashed the greatest art in the streets.

      And they'll do it again.

    • 2 years ago
  • hydrokat
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    • DeliaTheArtist:

      Those that tore the Roman world down. Raped, murdered, crucified, burned, broke, smashed and skinned the educated.

      They that were instrumental in bringing about the Dark Ages - which, obviously never passed.

      I just got up, it took a awhile last night but I started to get going over this again.

      Religion - what a blight! - I'll read the other posts and see tere is a decent place for me to rant more.

    • 2 years ago
  • ClipsFC
  • schobiz
    • 0
      schobiz  
    • The more one studies religious origin, the more one begins to see reoccurring themes and patterns. Every civilization molds these concepts to their own ideals, but it might be safe to say that they all originate from the worship of the stars and the earth (Astrotheology and Shamanism). And why wouldn't they? Our early ancestors were of course fascinated with their surroundings. Making detailed observations over generations of time. Translating their discoveries and theories into myth and creating celebratory rituals. Take soccer for example. In other parts of the world, soccer is known as football. In the United States, football has taken on a new set of rules and objectives, yet maintains the original themes of the game.

    • 2 years ago
  • TaGgInUrBlOcKuP
  • cybexg
  • kewal91
  • 02
    • 0
      02  
    • TaGgInUrBlOcKuP:

      When the Oxygen gets cut off to the brain - and the heart stops and all the brain cells die; and rigor sets in, and the flies do their work and the little maggies do their thing, brotha you ain't waking up.

      You ain't resurrecting. You is all done, forever.

      Hate to break the news. When you first caught this idea when you were a little kid and started crying - you were right.

      Could everything mommy and daddy and the priests and the nuns and pastors and all your parents friends and all your pals at school; and all their parents and all churches and all the cathedrals and all the kings and queens and all the millions of people who have been hassling about this for the last 2000 years be wrong???

      Could they all be wrong???

      Could you have been right the very first time you caught the notion of what death means; and yet all the people who say different - be wrong?

      Could they all be wrong?

    • 2 years ago
  • slarabee
  • cybexg
    • 0
      cybexg  
    • slarabee:

      @ some point, all knowledge fails. For example, "all that I can be certain of is my own ignorance," has a critical flaw in logic making even this knowledge uncertain.

      So, I like, "There are no absolutes and even that's a maybe."

    • 2 years ago
  • slvrGelatin
  • DeliaTheArtist
    • 0
      DeliaTheArtist  
    • "I could take saviors like Krishna, saviors like Osiris, saviors like Dionysus, saviors like Tammuz, who presumably lived centuries and centuries before Jesus of Nazareth allegedly lived, and they were born of virgins, they worked miracles, they died, most of them through crucifixion, and they were resurrected from the dead, and their followers were zealous for them." (Geisler-Till debate, 1994)

    • 2 years ago
  • sk8bs55
  • sk8bs55
  • sk8bs55
  • DeliaTheArtist
    • 0
      DeliaTheArtist  
    • DeliaTheArtist:

      I'm not referring to Zeitgeist with that particular quote; you can easily research the mythologies of other cultures and see that Christianity shares many common themes with other mythologies. I don't think that's very debatable.

    • 2 years ago
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