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No

Only Judeism

Only Islam

Yes to both Judeism and Islam

[Arcvasti]

I'd say that the Whore of Babylon probably represents either Rome or society's general decandance.

I actually have no idea what my stance on Revelation is. Most of it is so cloaked in riddles and symbolism that, even if it IS canon[Which is debatable.] that it probably doesn't matter. Also, it doesn't tell you how to live your daily life or provide that much spiritual guidance[Besides possibly thinking twice about getting a barcode tattoo on your hand or forehead].

[smjjames]

I don't know about the mark of the beast, but big oil is the Whore of Babylon

'Big Oil' didn't exist at the time that revelations was written, so it can't be anything modern.

[Lord Shonus]

I don't know about the mark of the beast, but big oil is the Whore of Babylon

'Big Oil' didn't exist at the time that revelations was written, so it can't be anything modern.

Unless, of course, you believe that Revelation was a prophetic dream, in which case it could mean anything past, present or future.

[Bohandas]

I don't know about the mark of the beast, but big oil is the Whore of Babylon

'Big Oil' didn't exist at the time that revelations was written, so it can't be anything modern.

While I do personally ascribe to the "St.John was just rambling" explanation, IF we humor him and assume that he really did uave a prophetic visi0n then it could very well be the oil industry. The signs are all there, comes from Babylon, fornication with the leaders 0f the planet, mother of all abominations on the Earth...

[Ultimuh]

For all I know, the "seas turning to blood" could be massive oil spills.

[Orange Wizard]

Gonna go with "John was just rambling" myself.

While I do believe there's some hidden meanings in the various passages within Revelation, the book is simply too dense and reads too much like a bad acid trip. I'm pretty sure we're not going to gain much by discussing it.

[Sheb]

Does anyone knows the rationale for including it in the Bible?

[Il Palazzo]

Does anyone knows the rationale for including it in the Bible?

All stories need a climax.

[USEC_OFFICER]

Does anyone knows the rationale for including it in the Bible?

I wish I knew too, since some quick Wikipedia browsing turns up very little. The best reason I can see is that the people who thought it was canon were on the right synods to make it canon. Or something along those lines. But it's authenticity was definitely in debate back in the early church and since then it's still not entirely considered canon. Some of the Eastern Churches ignore it completely or don't use it in regular service, while some of the Western Churches doubt its authority but still include it in regular service. So Revelations definitely needs to be taken with a grain of salt when reading it.

[TD1]

I was just wondering today, but what is the difference between Jesus (a human healer ascended to Godhood) and Asclepios, Greek God of Healing (a human healer ascended to Godhood.) True, both have different levels of importance, though Asclepios was still darn important to the Greeks, and even the Romans.

What I'm saying is, what makes Jesus so special? Why is his tale more believable, barring that Jesus is a younger deity and therefore information on him is more fresh.

[MonkeyHead]

I was just wondering today, but what is the difference between Jesus (a human healer ascended to Godhood) and Asclepios, Greek God of Healing (a human healer ascended to Godhood.) True, both have different levels of importance, though Asclepios was still darn important to the Greeks, and even the Romans.

What I'm saying is, what makes Jesus so special? Why is his tale more believable, barring that Jesus is a younger deity and therefore information on him is more fresh.

As far as I know, there are around 14 other similar mythical "child of god dying and rising again" style characters throughout human history in a number of geographical centres, all of which held some kind of sway at some point. These figures and their various stories all evolved independently yet show a number of parallels. Seems to be a kind of story we humans love telling. The Jesus mythos probably stuck harder than others as it came around the right time and place and was adopted or pushed by the right people (as in Rome/Europe and the middle ages) to be snowballed into geopolitical thinking more so than any others.

Interesting reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Christ_in_comparative_mythology

[Helgoland]

Comparative mythology? Now I know what I'll study as a plan B...

[Rolan7]

It's also unusually international, a major contrast to Judaism and most other religions of the time.  Anyone can worship Jesus (and everyone *has* to worship Jesus).  That might be a contributing factor to it being adopted by the Roman emperor, and thus the Empire, and thus the entire western world.  It's not like the emperor could have become Jewish (maybe through marriage?  Dunno the rules).

[Helgoland]

IIRC they accept converts, but only rather reluctantly - it might even be a modern thing alltogether. They don't proselytize either.

Could we draw parallels between the spread of early Christianity and the spread of Communism during the late 19th and early 20th century?

[MonkeyHead]

Well, with regards the Roman empire Christianity first took root in the poor and disenchanted masses on the fringes of society who most easily identified with the message of reward in exchange for piety, poverty, pacifism and humility. Its not like they had much to lose.