Though many, even on here, would not like the nativity story and others to be called "mythology."

Heck, look at the reaction that so many had to people actually pointing out that there is NO historical evidence for the Jews being enslaved in Egypt.

It's as if their beliefs are not reinforced, they might actually be seen for what they really are.

The first book I remember reading on my own was a book of bible stories. Then I sought out the science fiction books in the library.

Free access to fantasy enables reality.

--imm

learned about all the different religious traditions and has no allegiance to any of them.

Believe those stories as real and factual is another.

clearer -- learning about all the different religions and how they are generally all believed to be true by their specific believers (and no others) and how they could not all be factually true at the same time really helped Sonny Nay come to the conclusion that they were all pretty much bullshit.

there immune system get exposed to a less potent version, then they build immunity, being able to see these as allegories and metaphors rather than literal truth.

with "once upon a time..."

I see no problem.

Smart mom. +1

Interesting thought.

An Oxford Professor argues that Jesus and early Christians were persecuted by the Romans for being intolerant of other religious practices. The Romans were assimilators that conquered land through military force but held it by making the conquered want to be Roman. The Romans tolerated, even encouraged a huge range of religious and spiritual thought and practice. Hadrian created the Pantheon, which true to its name was a temple for "all beliefs."

As the Roman empire started to crumble the Romans flipped and embraced Christianity. Took it over basically. They saw in Christianity the opportunity to conquer hearts and minds. The intolerant part of Christianity, that all must think the same, became a key feature. Then you have a transition where the 7 vestal virgins get cut down to one virgin. A myriad of Gods goes down to only 3. Pagan events get eclipsed, intentionally, by Roman Catholic holidays. And the Roman Empire gets replaced by the Holy Roman Empire.

A careful reading of Biblical sources shows that Jesus was likely born in late September of 3 BC. Ironically, the Nativity scene testifies to this timing:

...we know that shepherds were in the fields watching their flocks at the time of Jesus' birth (Luke:2 -8

). Shepherds were not in the fields during December. According to Celebrations: The Complete Book of American Holidays, Luke's account "suggests that Jesus may have been born in summer or early fall. Since December is cold and rainy in Judea, it is likely the shepherds would have sought shelter for their flocks at night"