Jesus' birth story isn't his only myth. History has seen other gods or goddesses play important roles throughout human history, including Attis, Dionysus, and others. Some of the earliest stories about Jesus were actually inspired by Egyptian gods. In this article, we'll take a look at a few of these figures and their stories.
Horus
There is an incredible controversy surrounding the similarities between Horus and Jesus. Both were popular Egyptian deities and many of their stories bear many similarities to Jesus. However, they are also completely separate entities. Although many Christians see Jesus as the "savior for humanity", many Egyptians consider Horus to be a literal saver who protected them from venomous snakes and scorpions.
Historical evidence points to the similarity of Jesus Christ with Horus. John the Baptist baptized both, but neither had a name for his Baptizer. Jesus had many followers, but he did not name them.
Dionysus
Some Dionysus stories are similar to Jesus's stories, but there are others. Dionysus wasn't crucified like Jesus. And his trials weren’t as public. Zeus and Rhea raised Dionysus from his death to bring him back to life, but Jesus did not suffer for our sins.
In addition to sharing common concerns, Jesus and Dionysus had many similarities with other ancient religions. Both believed in celebrating the divine birth, resurrection, or celebration. Both religions included participation by women and children. A winnowing basket containing phallus was used as an initiation ritual in the cult. This ritual made it possible for a male to be initiated or neophyte.
Attis
People have claimed that Attis stories are identical to Jesus stories. This is not true. In fact, Attis' resurrection myth is quite different. Attis' resurrection myth is Greek. He is hung from an oak tree, killed, then raised after three days. Attis is not like Jesus. His mother is a virgin goddess much like Virgin Mary.
In one version of this story, Dionysus adds wine to Agdistis’ water. He then puts a rope around Agdistis’s genitals. When he awakens, he takes fruit from a pomegranate tree. According to Attis stories Cybele, Attis' mother was the mother to the gods and a rival to Mary.
Dionysus is the mother
Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility and ritual dance, is also known as mysticism. He is mysterious, contradictory and both gentle but terrifying. The ancient poet Euripedes described him as "the gentlest and the fiercest." This Euripides play examines the relationship between the god and the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Dionysus is described in the Odyssey as having a mother named 'Woman. She gave birth to a boy named Dionysus after he was conceived. Semele, his mother, was his father. When she was pregnant, her husband learned about her baby and decided to throw her into the sea. Ino in Brasiae was able to raise Dionysus after she was found dead. Later, the garden of Dionysus was named the plain of Brasiae.
Dionysus' resurrection
Both the resurrection stories of Jesus and Dionysus are similar to a degree. Both deities were killed and buried and then resurrected within three days. While the myth of Dionysus's resurrection was likely to have been corrupted by some elements, the myth did contain certain aspects that were shared with the gods. Dionysus’ resurrection story is more likely based in an older myth. It involves Attis, a god that was born of Nana. He died three days later and was then reborn in the same body. This is similar in concept to Christian beliefs.
Although they share many similarities, the stories about Jesus' resurrection differ from each other. Dionysus’s resurrection story was based in part on a myth written in first century AD, over two thousand years prior to Jesus' birth. A similar story was also shared by Prometheus, a mythological god of light and fire.