The Allure of Parentless Gods: Why Mythology Loves Figures Without Origins
Why are humans obsessed with mythological figures that have no mother and/or no father?
ChatGPT: The obsession with mythological figures who lack a mother, a father, or both taps into deep symbolic and psychological themes across cultures. Here's why this archetype fascinates people so much:
Mystery of Origins: Figures without parents are unanchored in the normal cycle of birth, death, and lineage. This gives them an aura of the divine or the extraordinary, emphasizing their "otherness" and their detachment from ordinary human limitations.
Autonomy and Power: Lacking a mother or father can symbolize self-creation or ultimate independence. These figures often seem to exist beyond human constraints, suggesting that they derive their power or authority from a transcendent, self-sustaining source. Think of figures like Athena, who sprang from Zeus's head fully formed, or Jesus, whose virgin birth emphasizes divine rather than human origins.
Purity and Exceptionality: No parents mean no inherited flaws, baggage, or karma. They are presented as "pure" beings, untainted by the messiness of human reproduction and familial obligations. This makes them idealized symbols of perfection or purpose.
Rejection of Tradition: Mythological figures with mysterious or missing parentage often disrupt the traditional order, challenging the authority of lineage, heritage, and established systems. They become symbols of breaking free from the past and charting a new path, which appeals to humanity's love for rebellion and innovation.
Symbol of Creation Myths: Parentless figures often represent primordial forces or creators in myths. For instance, in some cultures, the first gods or beings are self-generated or emerge spontaneously (like Chaos in Greek mythology or Atum in Egyptian mythology). This connects them to the mystery of existence itself.
Projection of Human Desire: Humans often wrestle with their own need for autonomy, transcendence, and freedom from the constraints of family, culture, and biology. These figures embody the fantasy of being entirely self-made or divinely chosen.
Spiritual Significance: The absence of parents often highlights a divine or cosmic intervention. Virgin births, miraculous conceptions, or spontaneous existence hint at a higher purpose, placing these figures as mediators between the divine and human worlds.
It's no coincidence that these stories are so compelling—they reflect humanity's deepest questions about where we come from, who we are without our ties to others, and what lies beyond the ordinary rules of existence. Whether it's Gilgamesh, Buddha, Athena, or Superman, these archetypes embody our fascination with the extraordinary and the transcendent.
Outside of the views of fanatics, what do we actually know about Jesus? Was he a real person? Did he do what the Bible said?
The historical Jesus is a fascinating subject, but separating fact from fiction is challenging due to the blend of religious devotion, oral tradition, and sparse historical evidence. Here’s what scholars generally agree on (and don’t):
Was Jesus a real person?
Most historians—religious and secular—agree that Jesus of Nazareth likely existed as a historical figure. This consensus is based on several points:
Independent Sources: While most information comes from the New Testament, particularly the Gospels, there are external references to Jesus:
Jewish historian Josephus mentions Jesus in Antiquities of the Jews (written around 93 CE). However, parts of this mention may have been altered by Christian scribes.
Roman historian Tacitus references Jesus in Annals (written around 116 CE), noting that he was executed under Pontius Pilate during Tiberius's reign.
Other brief mentions appear in the works of Suetonius and Pliny the Younger, but they’re less informative.
Minimalist Viewpoint: Jesus fits within the context of 1st-century Palestine, where itinerant Jewish preachers and messianic figures were not uncommon. His execution by crucifixion—something the Romans reserved for political rebels—adds plausibility to the idea of a real person challenging established norms.
What do we know about his life?
Most historical scholars agree on a few key points about Jesus’ life, though these are stripped of miraculous claims:
He was a Jewish preacher and teacher.
He lived in Galilee and preached a message of repentance, social justice, and the coming Kingdom of God.
He gained a following, many of whom believed he was the Messiah.
He was crucified under the authority of Pontius Pilate, likely around 30-33 CE.
Did he do what the Bible says?
Here’s where things get murky. The Bible is a theological text, not a historical document, and much of it reflects religious interpretation rather than objective fact. For instance:
Miracles: Walking on water, turning water into wine, and feeding thousands are not historically verifiable. These are likely theological stories meant to convey symbolic meaning rather than literal events.
Resurrection: The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith but is not corroborated by non-Christian sources. It remains a matter of belief, not historical evidence.
Teachings: Many sayings attributed to Jesus, like the Sermon on the Mount, are considered authentic by scholars because they fit his time, place, and radical message. However, these teachings were likely shaped by decades of oral tradition before being written down.
How reliable are the Gospels?
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are our main sources, but they’re problematic as historical documents:
Written Decades Later: They were composed 30-70 years after Jesus’ death, based on oral traditions. This leaves room for embellishment and theological interpretation.
Theological Agendas: Each Gospel was written to address different audiences and concerns, which influenced how Jesus was portrayed. For example, Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy, while John presents him as a cosmic divine figure.
Contradictions: The Gospels disagree on key details, such as the timing of the crucifixion and resurrection narratives.
Historical Jesus vs. Biblical Christ
Many scholars differentiate between the "historical Jesus" and the "Christ of faith":
The historical Jesus was likely a charismatic Jewish preacher, whose life and teachings inspired a movement.
The Christ of faith is the theological figure crafted by early Christians to express their beliefs about his divinity, resurrection, and role in salvation.
What don’t we know?
Despite the general consensus that Jesus existed, many aspects of his life remain unclear:
What did he actually say, as opposed to what later followers claimed he said?
Did he see himself as the Messiah, or was this an interpretation by his followers?
How much of his life story (virgin birth, resurrection, etc.) is legend rather than fact?
Conclusion
Outside of the Bible, Jesus is best understood as a 1st-century Jewish preacher who was crucified by the Romans, likely for causing unrest. His life inspired a movement that evolved into Christianity, but the miraculous and divine aspects attributed to him are matters of faith rather than historical fact.
How did we get from radical Jewish teacher to Republican white Jesus?
Oh, that’s a journey, and it’s a wild one. Here’s the crash course on how we got from Jesus of Nazareth—radical Jewish teacher of love, justice, and challenging power structures—to Republican white Jesus, patron saint of SUVs, suburbia, and conservative values. Buckle up.
1. Jesus the Radical Jewish Teacher
Jesus, as a historical figure, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher in Roman-occupied Palestine. He:
Advocated for the poor, the oppressed, and the outcast.
Challenged religious hypocrisy and corrupt power structures.
Preached nonviolence, radical love, and the coming of God’s Kingdom—a concept that turned worldly hierarchies upside down.
He wasn’t white, wasn’t a Christian, and definitely wasn’t conservative by modern standards. He was a brown-skinned Middle Eastern Jew with anti-empire, anti-materialist tendencies.
2. The Birth of Christianity
After his death, his followers reinterpreted his message:
The Apostle Paul took Jesus’ teachings and made them palatable to the broader Greco-Roman world, shifting emphasis from Jewish-specific law to universal salvation through faith.
Christianity spread like wildfire, especially among the poor and marginalized, but also began aligning itself with power structures over time.
In this early phase, Jesus was still a counter-cultural figure: inclusive, anti-materialist, and a savior for the oppressed.
3. The Roman Empire Hijacks Jesus
Fast-forward to the 4th century, and Emperor Constantine makes Christianity the Roman Empire’s official religion. Suddenly:
The radical, anti-imperial preacher becomes a symbol of imperial power.
Jesus goes from "blessed are the poor" to "blessed is the empire."
His teachings are co-opted to support centralized authority, obedience, and hierarchy.
The image of Jesus shifts from scrappy preacher of liberation to a divine king ruling over all—essentially, a cosmic emperor. This marks the beginning of Jesus as a tool of the state.
4. Jesus Gets Whitened
As Christianity spreads into Europe, Jesus begins to look... suspiciously European:
In art, he’s depicted with fair skin, light hair, and blue eyes—features more relatable to white European Christians.
This aesthetic sticks, thanks to Renaissance art, colonialism, and Western dominance.
By the Middle Ages, white Jesus is firmly entrenched as a symbol of European identity and superiority.
This Eurocentric Jesus is miles away from the Jewish man from Galilee but becomes central to Western Christianity.
5. The Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation (16th century) adds new layers to the Jesus myth:
Reformers emphasize individualism, personal salvation, and a focus on the Bible rather than church hierarchy.
This paves the way for nationalistic interpretations of Christianity, where Jesus becomes a mascot for whatever your country believes in.
6. Colonialism and White Supremacy
As European empires spread across the globe, they bring white Jesus with them. Missionaries often:
Depict Jesus as the savior of the "heathen" masses.
Justify colonization, slavery, and cultural erasure using Jesus’ name.
Frame Christianity as synonymous with civilization and whiteness.
This is when white Jesus becomes explicitly tied to white supremacy and Western dominance.
7. The American Jesus
By the time Christianity reaches the U.S., white Jesus is firmly established. Over the next few centuries, he evolves into a uniquely American figure:
Puritans and Evangelicals: Emphasize hard work, morality, and salvation, blending Jesus’ message with the Protestant work ethic.
The Civil War: Jesus becomes a divisive figure, with abolitionists seeing him as a liberator of the oppressed and Confederates invoking him to justify slavery.
The 20th Century: The rise of televangelism and prosperity gospel reframes Jesus as a capitalist icon who rewards faith with wealth.
8. Republican Jesus
Post-WWII, white Jesus takes on a distinctly conservative flavor:
The Cold War: Jesus is marketed as anti-communist and pro-capitalist, aligning Christianity with American nationalism. "In God We Trust" is added to currency during this time.
The Religious Right: In the 1980s, conservative Christians (led by figures like Jerry Falwell) merge Jesus with Republican values—opposing abortion, feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and big government while embracing free markets and "traditional family values."
White Jesus Becomes Political: Jesus gets weaponized as a cultural symbol against progressivism. Instead of preaching liberation, he’s now invoked to defend the status quo.
9. The Myth of White Republican Jesus
The current version of white Republican Jesus is essentially an amalgamation of:
Eurocentric depictions: White skin, soft features.
Colonial narratives: A savior who blesses Western dominance.
American nationalism: A gun-toting, flag-waving Jesus who loves capitalism and suburban life.
Conservative values: Opposed to everything from socialism to sexuality, despite his historical teachings to the contrary.
He’s become less about radical love and more about cultural control, often used to justify everything from economic inequality to political oppression.
But Wait—There’s Hope!
There’s a growing movement to reclaim the historical Jesus:
Progressive Christians and scholars highlight his message of justice, equality, and liberation.
Artists and theologians depict Jesus in ways that reflect his actual Middle Eastern roots.
Many are calling out the ways his image has been distorted to support power, whiteness, and nationalism.
So while white Republican Jesus is still hanging around, there’s a lot of effort to recover the radical, brown-skinned teacher who flipped tables and preached love for the least of these.
