I think the story of Jesus would have made more sense if Jesus was an aspect of God that didn't know he was God and didn't know of his destiny... but rather was a good man who tried to spread good and was betrayed and killed for it... then surprised to find himself returned to the world 3 days later with full knowledge of who he really was and how he had saved mankind.
That's the part I've never quite understood. Was God Jesus at that time or, were they separate? It feels more of a sacrifice if God sacrificed itself but to let 'his' son go through that? Why do people think he's this great, caring father if he let 'his' own son experience that? Becauss 'he'/ they love humanity even more?
Because there was no other way? Really? Didn't they just need death plus resurection to prove there was an afterlife? Certainly, it was more memorable I suppose. Plus- dying as a martyr I suppose elevates a religious figure.
But- like you say OP- they were/ are one or two beings with the greatest power there is- presumably. The most intelligent too. Could neither see any other way to cement their image in history? Was pain required even?
Even Jesus didn't seem utterly content with the decision at the end- didn't he ask why he had been forsaken? Wasn't that the point to strike him with a lightening bolt- something to quickly end it for him? A mercy killing.
Why watch your own child die in agony? Again- does that mean God enjoys watching people suffer in pain? That pain is a necessary requirement?
Also- how did it 'save' humanity? It demonstrated there was an afterlife I suppose. It gave weight to all the other things he was saying- presumably. It gave hope to criminals- that they can get into heaven if they believe in God and Christ. What if we don't want an eternal life in heaven though?
A lot of it doesn't make sense to me. God was supposedly already angry. Why did Jesus dying on the cross atone for the sins God was already angry about? Why would that appease 'him'? It's like having a really awful neighbour that acts up for years and it culminates in them torturing and crucifying one of our family members. Why would that atone for all the other bad things they did? Wouldn't that just be the cherry on the cake?
Was Jesus representing humankind and sacrificing themselves to appease their angry God father? But again- why does God demand that suffering?
Aparently, the whole thing was to reunite us with God's love. But then- asides from the hell side of things- would it be so bad to be without God's love? If the way they express it is to leave their only son to die in agony, nailed to a cross- is that the kind of parent we want?
I would have made Jesus fly up to heaven, carrying the cross. Maybe a few laps of the world- like Superman. Why even kill the human version at all? Surely- that would demonstrate supernatural power. Christ could still be alive today- if they'd wanted that. We could be hearing God's word from the horses mouth- as it were. How many atheists would there be with a flying Jesus around?
Seems to me like God still wants people to get it 'wrong'. Maybe so 'he' can still punish us.
If it's all true, then Jesus very possibly did go through so much for what he believed in, in the hopes it would 'save' us. I can understand people being amazed and grateful for that sacrifice. But, I can't personally get over the horror and disgust I feel at the father who could have prevented that but- didn't. Again- I can't see God as anything but a sadist.
I suppose that's why I hope God doesn't exist. I also think Jesus may well have existed but- what if they were schizophrenic say. What if all the 'miracles' were illusions? They used to use automata to make people believe statues could move etc. in some ancient temples. If David Blaine wasn't honest about being a magician, mentalist and endurance performer- wouldn't his stunts appear to be miracles? Imagine David Blaine with 12 disciples. All utterly committed to creating incredible illusions. Imagine if only their reviews of his show existed afterwards.
I imagine there are religious cults or even sports groups where people are so entrenched that they buy into their leader being something extraordinary. It's hard to believe this is even real but:
