Isn't Aslan just another copycat savior?

[abe3]

In the future, Christianity for unknown reasons declined to nothing while a new religion, Aslanism became the dominant religion. Everyone worships Aslan as described in the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Aslan followers carried their leather bound Chronicles of Narnia every time they entered the temple. Some people who were skeptics of Aslanism found that the religion was much like the ancient religion of Christianity. The following conversation takes place between an Aslan priest and a skeptic.

Skeptic: It does seem that there are similarities between the stories of Christ and the Stories of Aslan.

Priest: (yawns) Do some people still believe in the Copy-cat theory? I thought we completely drove that theory into the ground (yawns again)

Skeptic: What is the copy-cat theory? I don’t know who came up with that theory, what does it say? Is it anything like quantum theory or cell theory? Besides, I never said those words.

Priest: Too bad, it’s in the title so you have stepped into my trap. I’m not sure who created the theory but I use it more as a straw man. Basically, I say that if I can find a difference between Christ and Aslan then Aslan is no copy-cat. Also, copy-cat has a fun, light hearted, almost child-like sound to it. It makes me look fun and light hearted, like a kid at the playground. Then copy-cat theory sounds like conspiracy theory, unlike quantum theory and cell theory.

Skeptic: Wasn’t Aslan God in the flesh who sacrificed himself for the forgiveness of sin just like Christ of the ancient Christianity?

Priest: That’s all you have? (yawns again) You people will believe anything but the truth. You force similarities where they don’t exist. Where did you get that line from, Kersey Graves?
Skeptic: Who is Kersey Graves?

Priest: He is my second favorite straw man. We know that nobody believes his erroneous books, but I just use it for irritation, you know fun. I told you I’m light hearted and fun.

Skeptic: So what about the parallel of divinity and sacrifice?

Priest: Oh yea, that. Your alleged parallel is wrong because Christ was not a lion like our Aslan. There is really no comparison, no copycat (skeptic says “copycat” in unison). As for God sacrificing himself for atonement for sin, your alleged parallel to Aslan, that is false also. Christ died on a cross and was not killed with a stone knife by the White Witch. Again, “no copycat” (skeptic says “copycat” simultaneously).

Skeptic: But isn’t this a huge concept? Not only can God become flesh but then could die, think about that, they both say that it is possible for God to die. They both say that God pays the price for someone else’s sin. Don’t you think these are huge concepts that cannot be ignored?

Priest: Nope. You are trying to force similarities so that you can claim that Aslan is a myth.

Skeptic: Maybe the similarities help validate your position. What about Christ being resurrected like Aslan? There’s a huge common theme.
Priest: Our Aslan did not wait 3 days like the Christian savior. Their savior ascended into heaven and ours did not. No copy-cat here. What else do you have?

Skeptic: Well there is the prophecy of Aslan’s return… but I guess you’ll find a difference and say “no copy-cat”.

Priest: You catch on quick. Let me give you a word of advice, never enter a conversation when “copy-cat” is used, start your own conversation. Otherwise you will always lose. We control the conversation from the beginning. Still, the chances are that the “copy-cat theory” will creep its way into your discussion anyhow. The phrase is viral. Now excuse me while I do the notta-copy-cat dance. (Aslan Priest dances and sings). Go Aslan, Go Aslan, I win, you’re no copy-cat… cat.

This was a parody of what happens when apologists go out of their way to see differences. It isn't meant to "prove" anything, my story demonstrates the tactics used by apologists when debating.

[Soyeong]

This was a parody of what happens when apologists go out of their way to see differences. It isn't meant to "prove" anything, my story demonstrates the tactics used by apologists when debating.

What about the tactics used by skeptics who go out of their way to see similarities?

[KingsGambit]

Except there is no such religion as Aslanism, and if one had started, the person who came up with the idea of Aslan would have gone out of his way to try to squash it.

[ke7ejx]

Given that Aslan is a personification of Jesus Christ and his atonement? I don't see any religion being stemmed from it. CS Lewis did a good job with the story.

[abe3]

What about the tactics used by skeptics who go out of their way to see similarities?

There is an excellent one like that by JP Holding way back in 2003.

http://www.theologyweb.com/campus/sh...e-Fake-Kennedy!

I slightly borrowed (not copycatted) my idea from that. The only thing I would critique about it is that it should have been Kennedy-the-Fake-Lincoln (newer fake because similarity to older). But yes, skeptics go overboard also.

[Soyeong]

I slightly borrowed (not copycatted) my idea from that. The only thing I would critique about it is that it should have been Kennedy-the-Fake-Lincoln (newer fake because similarity to older). But yes, skeptics go overboard also.

I never liked the "look how far they need to bend over backwards" line because apologists wouldn't have to appear to bend over backward if the accusations weren't so ridiculous in the first place. The scholarship used by people to support "copying" is so shoddy that it shouldn't have to be taken seriously by apologists, but unfortunately, many "free thinkers" uncritically eat it up.

[Chrawnus]

This was a parody of what happens when apologists go out of their way to see differences. It isn't meant to "prove" anything, my story demonstrates the tactics used by apologists when debating.

Actually, it just demonstrates that some people seem much smarter when they don't put their thoughts down into writing.