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Bible Defended: Dying/Rising Mythologies

Many Atheists try to write Christianity off as a derivative of other pagan or mystery religions. However if you really look at the the proposed similarities you see that Jesus really is alone. There has been none like Him, nor will there ever be one like Him. Let's look at some of the common ancient personage said to be similar or plagerized by Christianity.

1. Mithra/Zoroastrian system - Here is what Atheists argue:

Alleged Similarities
Some today have advanced the notion that Mithraism bears many striking similarities with Christianity and therefore was influential in the formation of early Christian beliefs and practices. Some of these borrowed beliefs are said to include:

1. Mithra was born of a virgin
2. He was born on December 25 th
3. He was a great traveler with 12 disciples
4. His followers were promised immortality
5. He sacrificed himself for world peace
6. He was buried in a tomb and rose after three days
7. He conducted a sacramental meal resembling Jesus' last supper

If these beliefs pre-dated the beginnings of Christianity and were known in the same part of the world, the Biblical writers may have some explaining to do. Is that the case? Even if so, does similarity necessarily imply causality?

If you want to examine Mithra and what his followers believed about him, you consult an expert.

Edwin Yamauchi has a doctorate in Mediterranean studies and written 17 books including Persia and the Bible , which includes his research involving Mithraism. What does Yamauchi's research show?

1. Mithraism did not teach that he was born of a virgin; rather, the mythical Mithra was born out of a rock. Furthermore, he was born an adult, not a baby as was Jesus. And, Jesus was of course not born in a cave as the second century letter of Barnabas alleges.
2. The birthday of Jesus Christ is not mentioned in the Bible and is not known. In fact, the earliest birth date for Jesus celebrated by Christians was January 6 th . The earliest time in which Dec. 25 th was used by Christians is AD 336 when Emperor Constantine proposed this day – possibly appropriated from the sun god worship. December 25 th is close to the winter solstice and was chosen by Emperor Aurelian for the dedication of his temple to the sun god.
3. Mithra was not a traveling teacher of disciples.
4. The belief of immortality may be inferred in Mithraism, but that is common to almost all religions, so is not significant.
5. Mithra did not sacrifice himself for anyone, he killed a bull.
6. After extensive study, Yamauchi knows of no references to Mithra's death. And, consequently, there are no records of his resurrection.
7. Any possible sacramental meal in Mithraism is unrelated to the Lord's Supper because it was initiated much later, in the second century. Furthermore, the Christian meal is based on the Passover, begun during the time of Moses.

Therefore, in no way can Mithra be compared to Jesus Christ.

2. Horus - Some try to equate Horus with Jesus. Does not work.

1. Horus was concieved by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. Jesus was concieved by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin.

Actually, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris who were married. And the Holy Spirit? That figure did not exist in Egyptian mythology and had nothing to do with the story.


2. Horus' foster father was Seph. Jesus' foster father was Joseph.

Horus did not have a foster father, Osiris was his father.


3. Horus was of royal descent. Jesus was of royal descent.

Horus was a god born of gods and was therefore a diety, not royalty.


4. Horus' birth was followed by three wise men who followed a star bearing gifts. Jesus' birth was followed by three wise men who followed a star bearing gifts.

The Delta Cycle, which is the oldest complete texts of the Horus myth, do not agree.


5. Horus' birth was announced by angels. Jesus' birth was announced by angels.

Actually, Isis gave birth to Horus in secret. It was not announced by anyone to anyone.


6. Herut tried to murder the infant Horus. Herod tried to murder the infant Jesus.

From the time he was born, Set and his minions, the snakes, attempted to murder Horus. There was no parallel.


7. Horus was baptized at age 30 by Anup the Baptist in a river. Jesus was baptized at age 30 by John the Baptist in a river.

Egyptians did not have such a tradition. Horus was never baptised.


8. Horus resisted temptations by Sut on a high mountain. Jesus resisted temptations by Satan on a high mountain.

The story actually goes that Horus and Sut were having one of many large battles, and one of them seduces the other. Then Set became preganant by Horus.


9. Horus had twelve followers. Jesus had twelve disciples.

This simply is not true.


10. Horus performed miracles such as healing the sick and walking on water. Jesus performed miracles such as healing the sick and walking on water.

Horus never healed the sick, and he did not walk on water -- he flew.


11. Horus raised Osiris from the dead. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

Actually, Isis was the one who resurrected Osiris. Horus was the one who avenged him.


12. Horus was crucified. Jesus was crucified.

13. Horus was crucified with two thieves. Jesus was crucified with two thieves.

14. Horus was buried and resurrected in Anu. Jesus was buried and resurrected in Bethlehem.

15. Horus came back to life after three days. Jesus came back to life after three days.

16. The resurrection of Horus was announced by three women. The resurrection of Jesus was announced by three women.

Not only was Horus never crucified, Horus never died at all.


17. Horus was called the anointed one. Jesus was called the anointed one.

This simply isn't true.

This does not work. There is no chance Horus is similar to Christ? Some try to equate Jesus to Osiris, who was Horus' father.

3. Osiris

The Truth About Osiris

Claim: Osiris was called “Lord of Lords”, “King of Kings”, “God of Gods”, “Resurrection and the Life”, “Good Shepherd”, “Eternity and Everlastingness”, and the god who "made men and women to be “born again"
Truth: These names for Jesus were NOT used by Osiris, who was called, “Lord of All”, the “Good Being”, “Lord of the Underworld”, “Lord (King) of Eternity”, “Ruler of the Dead”, “Lord of the West”, “Great One”, “He who takes seat,” “the Begetter”, “the Ram”, “Great Word”, “Chief of the Spirits”, “Ruler of Everlastingness”, “Living God,” “God above the gods.” These rather general names were not uncommon for many other deities as well.

The Reasoning Behind the Osiris Mythology: If there is a God, we would expect Him to be powerful and possess a title that reflects that power.

Claim: Osiris’ birth was announced by Three Wise Men: the three stars Mintaka, Anilam, and Alnitak in the belt of Orion, and Osiris had a star in the east (Sirius) that signified his birth
Truth: It IS true that some scholars connect Osiris with Orion, but they don’t stretch the imagination to call the three stars of the belt “wise men”, and there is no mention of an eastern star in the Osiris mythology.

The Reasoning Behind the Osiris Mythology: It is reasonable to assume that if there is a God, his emergence into the natural world would be in some way spectacular and supernatural

Claim: Osiris had a Eucharist ceremony of sorts, in which his flesh was eaten in the form of communion cakes of wheat
Truth: There is no evidence for this in the research of the scholars

Claim: Osiris taught much of the same material as Jesus; many teachings are identically the same, word for word
Truth: There is absolutely no evidence of any of this, and the ‘wisdom’ of Osiris is still available for review.

The Reasoning Behind the Osiris Mythology: If there is a God, we would expect Him to be a source of great wisdom

Claim: Osiris was killed and later resurrected, providing hope to all that they may do likewise and become eternal
Truth: Osiris was murdered and his body was then dismembered and scattered. Later, his body pieces were recovered and rejoined, and he was rejuvenated. Osiris then journeyed to the underworld, where he became the lord of the dead. He did NOT resurrect with a glorified body and walk with men on earth, as did Jesus. He was not alive again, as was Jesus, but was instead a “dead” god who never returned among the living

I have presented 3 cases of how lies about Jesus is used against Chrristians. None of these characters are anywhere close to being like Jesus. Not just that, Jesus claimed to be God made flesh and He proved it by not just predicting the day and method of his death, but by laying done His life for us and then picked His life back up again.