I guess it seems that way, if you view the Gospels as hearsay rather than eyewitness accounts. Even if you substract the miracles, Jesus is a very inspiring person, even in Mark, the shortest Gospel.
The Roman authorities could have denied the crucifixion if it didn’t happen. Then there’s the resurrection, that’s difficult to believe, I get it. One has to acknowledge the possibility that a god might exist. It does take a leap of faith.
It’s nonetheless amazing how fast Christianity grew, even before the Edict of Milan. Greek polytheists, like Celsus, were skeptical. He wrote a book called The True Word which contained his objections to the Christian faith. Origen wrote Contra Celsum in 248 AD and addressed every objection. Truly impressive. Greek and Roman polytheists were abandoning their religion en masse because Christianity made so much sense to them. Islam spread through the sword, Christianity by word of mouth. Well at least before the crusades and colonialism, but it started out as a pacifist movement, like Jesus taught. Muslims started their caliphate the moment Mohammed died lol. It’s a problem with many “Christians” they don’t actually read their Bible. “He who takes the sword shall die by the sword” and there’s “turn the other cheek” etc, etc.
Could it be all made up? Sure. But it could also be true. Jesus died in 33 AD, Mark wrote his Gospel c. 60 AD. That’s not a lot of time is it? The 12 were preaching the Gospel orally and then they were getting older so they wrote it down for posterity’s sake. And Saul of Tarsus was writing epistles before that. Not too bad huh?
Idk I guess I have nothing to lose, Jesus is a really cool guy. Did you know that the first person that he appeared to was Mary Magdalene, a woman? Even though female eyewitness testimonies were considered unreliable at the time? Like seriously He is so dope. He was a feminist even before it was cool. That’s like a really weird detail if it was all made up.
But I understand if you’re hesitant. So many “Christians” preach hate, even though Jesus told us to love our neighbour, even to pray for those who persecute us. I’m personally disgusted by Steven Anderson, he’s such a jerk. Kenneth Copeland obviously doesn’t care about Jesus, only money. He worships Mammon lol.
I finished reading Mark not too long ago. I’m not sure which Gospel to read next. Maybe Matthew? I love Matthew 5. I wish more Christians would read this one. Or maybe I’ll read John, idk.
Anyways man (or woman?) take care. Even if you don’t believe in God, I wish you well. May you find peace and happiness in your life. This is the part where I would say God bless. But maybe it’s not a good idea in this case lol. Have a good one mate!
Hey I found the narrations on YouTube, nice!