"Osiris, the Egyptian Saviour, was crucified in the heavens. To the Egyptian the cross was the symbol of immortality, an emblem of the Sun, and the god himself was crucified to the tree, which denoted his fructifying power.
"Horus was also crucified in the heavens. He was represented, like...Christ Jesus,
with outstretched arms in the vault of heaven."
Thomas W. Doane, Bible Myths and Their Parallels in Other Religions (484)
The name Jesus comes from a combination of
Isa and
Zeus, Zeus was the Greek supreme God. Zeus had a son, he sent his son and got him sacrificed: Heracles.
This was not the first time, or the only time, this myth of a demigod (son of God) or crucifixion was reproduced:
Krishna
Buddha
Horus
Zoroaster
Mithras
Attis
Dionysus-Bacchus
Some sources say Odin also sacrificed himself on the Tree of life, though this is disputed
...and many more!
Son of God - Baal, Dionysos, Hermes, Horus, Krishna (not a son, but an incarnation of God), Osiris
Talking snake - Harry Potter (
JUST KIDDING!)
Ascended/Descended - Adonis (before death), Baal, Dionysos, Hermes, Krishna, Mithras, Orpheus, Osiris, Tammuz
A savior - Dionysos, Mithras
Performed miracles? - Dionysos (the wine trick of Jesus), Hermes, Horus (healing), Krishna
Meal of Bread/Wine - Dionysos, Mithras
Crucifixion - Dionysos (impregnated by God), Odin (tree), Horus, Mithras, Osiris
Resurrection - Baal (disputed), Dionysos, Krishna, Osiris (Scholars disagree), Tammuz (debated)
See for yourself!
Parallels between Christian Jesus and pagan myths:
Born on December 25;
Stars appeared at their births;
visited by Magi from the east;
turned water into wine;
healed the sick;
cast out demons;
performed miracles;
transfigured before followers;
rode donkeys into the city;
betrayed for 30 pieces of silver;
celebrated communal meal with bread and wine;
which represented the savior's flesh and blood;
killed on a cross or tree;
descended into hell;
resurrected on third day;
ascended into heaven;
to forever sit beside Father God and become Divine Judge.
