Same Old Story

In the not-too-distant past, at a time where our species was still in the very beginning stages of making sense of their surroundings, a being existed that was the source of answers and benevolence.  This being was believed to be the son of a god, and by that virtue, had amazing powers beyond that which any mere mortal could hope to possess.  This being could heal the sick, cure blindness, cast out demons in feats of exorcism, all by the laying on of his godly hands.  To further exhibit his majesty, this being could also perform feats of miraculous proportion, like walking on water and raising the dead.  Even after his own death, this being was seen to have risen from his own grave to walk once more, before ascending to the heavens. 

If I had to guess, your first inclination was to ascribe the name of Jesus to this description.  You wouldn’t be entirely wrong – these stories were attributed to the life of Jesus.  But, on the other hand, had you been alive 1200 years before the purported birth of Jesus, you would have attributed these same characteristics to the deity known as Horus.  Horus was a god of the ancient Egyptians who was held in the same esteem that modern-day Christians hold Jesus.

The similarities between these two entities can be explained, I think, by better understanding what both stories have in common.  Aside from the details of the characters themselves, both stories are just that – stories, superstitions.  These fables are passed down from generation to generation becoming distorted through the passing time – a proverbial game of telephone.  During a time where answers seemed out of reach, stories like these helped shape the psyche of the people to dilute the fears of the unknown world. 

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