Who's the bigger influence on our cuture? Socrates/Jesus Christ?

[Too Smart To Fight]

Although I am reluctant to credit Jesus with anything, because I don't believe in him, I would have to say he had the single greates effect on our culture.

His teachings, his creeds are all over our government, it's in the foundation of our society. Well atleast the bible, and the word of god is in our society. The ten commandments has been a staple for moral stability in our government, and in our society since it was founded, and It probably will continue to do so for a long time. Jesus, alone is responsible for the religious society that we are, the citizens obsession with god, and all religions, religious debate, religious ideas, religious ceremonies, it's in all walks of our lives.

While Socrates was the structure of our democracy, I think that JC is what brought the democracy about. Jesus showed us that we could live free, where everyone is equal, and everyone deserves basic freedoms. He brought about the moral compass needed for a Democracy, socrates just showed us how to do the democracy.

[chomskyite2]

1. your alittle off

what jesus taught is not very well reflected in the modern church.

if u actually read anything he said...the history of the church has been pretty much the complete opposite of what he most likely intended...the fact that the vatican is one of the most powerful empires in the world...and has been involved with many evils throughout history.

the ten commandments were not the work of jesus...but god, and moses.

and another thing...how was socrates the structure of democracy...socrates felt that the best form of government was a government controled by a philosopher aristocracy...or if not that then at least some form of 'wise' aristocracy...he felt that democracy was one of the more evil forms of government.

i advise you to reread the bible (the parts where jesus actually 'speaks') and the republic.

[Too Smart To Fight]

2. Well you see,

Jesus brought about Christiany, and Christianity is the religion of our culture, which includes the bible, and god. Which inherently brought 10 commandments and everything else to the limelght. I thought that was given so I didn't say it.

And Socrates pretty much embodies the spirit of the ancient greeks, so I know it's outlandish but for the purpose of this debate I let him do so.

But thanks for weighing in on the discussion.

[chomskyite2]

3. but...

the ten commandments is the old testiment...vs...jesus' word in the new testiment...since your question was about a singular man's effect on our culture, i thought u were going to limit it to that man's work.

and i guess the same applies to socrates...who was killed by ancient greece's "democracy"...if it is possible to call it that.......ok.

i would have to say Jesus has had a much bigger effect on our world. at least, his "word" as you are defining it...(i guess that means the CHURCH in general) has been responsible for alot more of world history then a two-bit "democracy" which we are for the purpose of debate giving socrates responsibility for...uh..yeah.

[Too Smart To Fight]

5. Kind of petty,

but I guess I should have specified in my post.
But, Jesus brought about Christianity. Need I say anymore.

Socrates historically embodies the spirit of the ancient greeks, love for knowledge, government. I think you might be mixing up Plato and Socrates.

[chomskyite2]

6. plato wrote what socrates said.

its very much the same way the bible was not written by jesus.

[Too Smart To Fight]

9. See I think Plato did it as a tribute to Socrates,

using him as the greatest sophist of all in the great discussions. But there is no proof of that, so I might be alone in that thought.

Don't the call it Plato's Allegory of the Cave, rather than Plato's Allegory of the Socratic Cave.

[I AM SPARTACUS]

4. Eminem...

[scucci]

7. I believe in Jesus too

He was a great man but some of his followers have me running askeered. I don't know how Socrates and Jesus have melded in your mind to this degree. Perhaps we should page your doc.
Not trying to be insulting but geez louise. :crazy:

[OneBlueSky]

8. Jesus would be aghast . . .

at some of the things that are said and done in his name . . . remember, he was the ultimate liberal . . .

[Too Smart To Fight]

10. But many of his follwers are the ultimate conservative.

Oh sweet irony.

[Maddy McCall]

11. many of his followers adhere to the institution, not the man

[papau]

12. Why is it either or? Plato influnced many, theRabbi Himminel (sp)

of the statement that "one should not do to others anything you would not want done to you, all else is commentary" tracks some of Jesus's teachings and the time line is Plato to the rabbi to Jesus with a few generations (100+ years) between each.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. Two be honest I think there both equal

It was Jesus teachings who's taught us the moral parable and Socrate's who outlined the roadmap.
Which had more value?

[scucci]

14. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for being so rude to you

I know you're probably having a hard time and that's why you're posting provocative messages.
You know what? It doesn't matter. I care about you and I hope you'll be okay. I don't know what is wrong but there are many people here who do care.
Please let me know if you need to talk. I care and I want you to be okay. :)