—OBJECTION: Christianity is merely a fabricated copycat religion; Jesus is a recreation of Mithras.
—RESPONSE: That’s an unfortunate claim and one that’s easily refuted. First, what we know of Mithraism was primarily established during the 1st-4th century A.D. under the Roman Empire, which makes it a religion documented after Christianity, not before it. Second, having similarities to something doesn’t automatically make that something a copycat, especially when there are viable explanations for the supposed similarities.
Not to be harsh, but the burden to prove Christianity is a fabricated copy of another religion is on you. Having some similarities to another religion is abjectly insufficient to demonstrate it’s a copy when considering the aforementioned historical records concerning Christianity.
To further illustrate this point, consider J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings novel published in 1954. Its themes of a “master race” and the division “races” (Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, etc.) have been suggested by some to be themes pulled from and paralleling Nazi Germany/White Supremacy (Google search for “Tolkien, ‘Lord of the Rings,’ and racism”). However, Tolkien was not a proponent of Nazism. He was a critic, and any parallels in the book to Nazi Germany are not true reflections of any form of copycat action on Tolkien’s part.
Ultimately, with firmly established historical accounts of Christianity, each claim that suggests Christianity is a copy of another religion should be reviewed and the sources investigated on its merit or lack thereof. If you gave the Christian faith the same considerations you’ve probably given the various anti-Christianity ideas, I think you would find considerable and persuasive support for the truthfulness of the Christian faith.
Nevertheless, that’s an intellectual pursuit, not a moral one. I’d prefer you to examine your actions and heart to grasp your true need—for example, what do you do with your guilt? Why is there so much evil and suffering? What will happen to you when *you* die? The Bible and the Christian faith address that and so much more with Jesus Christ firmly at the center of it.
I encourage you to lean into figuring your purpose in life and examine your morality—that is, do you always do the right thing? If not, why not? And you should use a standard that’s not your own; use the Bible and the Ten Commandments (God’s Moral Law) to examine yourself. Check out the Good Test here: https://livingwaters.com/are-you-a-good-person/
#MMApologist #SoliDeoGloria