[hellbender]

I agree. I might also point out that Jesus is fundamentally different from the gods described by MineralMan as merely a projection of human rules for societal order; Jesus came not to give or enforce laws, but to save us from ourselves and spare us from punishment for breaking the rules.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Something worth looking into is C.S. Lewis' investigation of pagan religion/mythology, to which he was strongly attracted, well into adulthood. Why Christ and not Baldur? Good question, no?

A little Googling with keywords like C.S. Lewis, pagan, myth shows up some v-e-r-y interesting things.

[thomaswest]

Re 75: but to save us from ourselves and spare us from punishment for breaking the rules.

It is a very WILD ASSumption that there is going to be a divine punishment for breaking societal rules. Or that "Divine Laws" exist.

Societies make laws to protect each other and to agree on means of resolution of conflicts. And to achieve common goals, like freedom of the individual. Our Constitution is a good example. It is not based on any religion or divine commandments, but upon "we the people".