Comparing the founders of western religions

[Fenris]

Not my observation, someone else pointed it out. But I think it's interesting.

Muslims believe Muhammad was a perfect human. Christians believe Jesus was literally God. Jews believe all their prophets and progenitors were flawed human beings who strove to be good but were never perfect. What is the significance of this difference?

[RabbiKnife]

That question is second in treachery only to when your wife says “do these jeans make my butt look bad?”

[Fenris]

In what way is that question "treachery?"

[RabbiKnife]

Said mostly tongue in cheek.


I’m not sure there is any significance in the difference except as to the subjective experience of the individual adherent of any particular faith. 

[Fenris]

I’m not sure there is any significance in the difference except as to the subjective experience of the individual adherent of any particular faith.

But that's the whole thing, isn't it? The subjective experience of a person of faith.

[RabbiKnife]

I’m not sure there is any significance in the difference except as to the subjective experience of the individual adherent of any particular faith.

But that's the whole thing, isn't it? The subjective experience of a person of faith.

Sure.  Ones person experience is always subjective, no matter how objective one claims to be… the writer always inserts himself into the story, the scientist always outs his thumb on the scale.

Each of the world’s religions are, whether based on texts or oral traditions, still t the end of the day are trying to Ake sense of a world that from a human perspective does not make sense.  The religionists and philosophers have spent all of human history trying to explain “what’s it all about, Alfie?” 

Interestingly, all three of the great religions arising from the Abrahamic tradition recognize a supreme Creator God.  All intrinsically adhere to many of the same general moral and ethical understandings, notwithstanding the individual religions’ tendencies and propensities to place an asterisk *** next to interpretations of texts or traditions that don’t line up with the adherents’ then existing world view and experience.

I think the views of the identity and nature of the “founders” in each particular case is driven in part by how that identification lines up with the adherents’ understanding and expectations of life after death, which is the ultimate “what’s it all about, Alfie?” inquiry. 


The view of the founder/leader drives to a large extent the explanation for “how do I make sure that life after I die is better and not worse than life now.”

[Fenris]

The view of the founder/leader drives to a large extent the explanation for “how do I make sure that life after I die is better and not worse than life now.”

You've fallen into the classic trap! Aside from the one about invading Asia in the winter, I mean.

You're assuming that all religions are about the same thing. They're not.

Judaism is not about the afterlife. It's about the here and now. Christianity is about the afterlife. I have no idea what Islam is about, TBH.

[RabbiKnife]

I’ve fallen for the “does these jeans make my butt look big” trap so im not surprised and falling for more sophisticated traps!!!

[Athanasius]

Judaism is not about the afterlife. It's about the here and now. Christianity is about the afterlife. I have no idea what Islam is about, TBH.

You have fallen to the classic Sicilian feint! Christianity isn't about the afterlife either, and Islam is about, uh... I've taken legal counsel, and my lawyers have advised me t

[OneLostCoin]

I believe the age old response to our purpose in life is that God made us to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next.  I also believe this is true for the founders at least in what they desired.

[IMINXTC]

Man was created to rule the physical universe.
Man, through Christ, rules a new universe.

Even the Devil knows God is one (and trembles).

[Fenris]

I believe the age old response to our purpose in life is that God made us to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next.  I also believe this is true for the founders at least in what they desired.

This is an interesting observation, but doesn't address the point in the first post.

[Fenris]

Man was created to rule the physical universe.

Rulers can be good people or bad people. Is morality a factor at all?

[IMINXTC]

 

Man was created to rule the physical universe.

Rulers can be good people or bad people. Is morality a factor at all?

Sin caused the fall and expulsion of man from his dominence. A redeemed remnant will be heirs with Christ.

Religions based only on morality fall demonstrably short.

[Fenris]

Sin caused the fall and expulsion of man from his dominence. A redeemed remnant will be heirs with Christ.

I don't know what this means.

Religions based only on morality fall demonstrably short.

As opposed to religions based on what?

"Fall demonstrably short" of what?