Jesus is the central figure of Christianity. Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God (see Trinity) as well as sinless. However, many, have criticized the character of Jesus as portrayed in the Gospels. Jesus (8–2 BC/BCE to 29–36 AD/CE),[1] also known as Jesus of Nazareth, is the central figure of Christianity. ... Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on Jesus of Nazareth, and on his life, death, ressurection, and teachings as presented in the New Testament. ... For other uses, see Trinity (disambiguation). ... Sin is a term used mainly in a religious context to describe an act that violates a moral code of conduct or the state of having committed such a violation. ... For the genre of Christian-themed music, see gospel music. ...

Historical criticisms of Jesus's character

Some Jews believed that Mary had sex with a Roman soldier and when she became pregnant Mary said that she was carrying the son of God in order to hide the relationship.^{[citation needed]}

Philosophical criticisms of Jesus's character

Friedrich Nietzsche

Friedrich Nietzsche criticized Jesus's life by saying that Jesus promoted a "slavelike mentality" that opposed the will to power. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Ayn Rand

Ayn Rand's concept of ethical egoism goes against the teachings of Jesus, whom she criticized for promoting altruism. It has been suggested that The Ayn Rand Collective be merged into this article or section. ... Ethical egoism is belief that one ought to do what is in ones own self-interest. ... This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. ...

Thomas Paine

In his The Age of Reason, Thomas Paine states The Age of Reason is a philosophical treatise written by the 18th Century British intellectual Thomas Paine, best remembered as the author of the political pamphlet Common Sense, credited with exciting colonial opinion in support of the American Revolutionary War. ...

It is not then the existence or the non-existence, of the persons that I trouble myself about; it is the fable of Jesus Christ, as told in the New Testament, and the wild and visionary doctrine raised thereon, against which I contend. The story, taking it as it is told, is blasphemously obscene. It gives an account of a young woman engaged to be married, and while under this engagement, she is, to speak plain language, debauched by a ghost, under the impious pretence, (Luke i. 35,) that "the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee." Notwithstanding which, Joseph afterwards marries her, cohabits with her as his wife, and in his turn rivals the ghost. This is putting the story into intelligible language, and when told in this manner, there is not a priest but must be ashamed to own it. [Mary, the supposed virgin, mother of Jesus, had several other children, sons and daughters. See Matt. xiii. 55, 56.--Author.][1]

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See also

Criticism of Christianity Over the centuries, Christianity has been criticized by philosophers, journalists, members of other religions, scientists, and other people from all walks of life. ...

References