Jesus tops the 'Mythical-Hero' board with a score of 91%
The Raglan Scale
In 1936, Lord Raglan developed the Raglan Scale, a 'Mythical Hero' study which surveyed mythical heros in various cultures, myths and religions thoughout history and around the world.Heros analysed were Aeneas, Arthur, Buddha, Gilgamesh, Heracles, Lohengrin, Odysseus, Oedipus, Perseus, Romulus, Siegfried etc. and 22 common reccuring themes were identified.
The Hero, A Study in Tradition, Myth and Drama. Lord Raglan, 1936
The Raglan Scale (22 points)
The table below checks 22 points against the lives of Jesus and Muhammad. JESUS |
MUHAMMAD |
| Mother, a royal virgin 1 of 22 | |
Matthew and Luke write Mary, mother of JESUS is a virgin
[MATTHEW 1:23] |
No evidence if Aminah, MUHAMMAD's mother was a virgin |
| Father, a king 2 of 22 | |
Matthew and Luke indicate Joseph, father to JESUS is of royal descent
[MATTHEW 1:1-16] |
Abdallah, MUHAMMAD's father was a merchant/trader |
| Father, often a relative to mother 3 of 22 | |
No evidence of connection between Mary and Joseph
|
No evidence; Abdallah was of Makhzum clan, and Aminah of the Banu Zuhrah tribe |
| Unusual conception 4 of 22 | |
Matthew and Luke state JESUS was conceived by Mary 'from the Holy Spirit'
[MATTHEW 1:20] |
MUHAMMAD had a standard conception |
| Hero, a son of god 5 of 22 | |
JESUS is regarded as the son of God throughout Christian Scripture |
MUHAMMAD was a prophet sent by God; never a son of God |
| Attempt to kill hero as infant, often by father or grandfather 6 of 22 | |
King Herod ordered 'all children in Bethlehem' and nearby to be murdered
[MATTHEW 2:16] |
No evidence anyone tried to kill baby MUHAMMAD |
| Hero spirited away as child 7 of 22 | |
Angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to flee to Egypt with baby JESUS and his family
[MATTHEW 2:13-14] |
MUHAMMAD was reared by Halima Saadia from Banu Saad tribe to the age of 5 |
| Hero raised by foster parents in a far country 8 of 22 | |
Joseph was not JESUS' biological father, more a foster father.
JESUS was raised in Egypt until King Herod died, and it was safe to return to Nazareth
[MATTHEW 2:15] |
MUHAMMAD was reared by Halima Saadia from Banu Saad tribe to the age of 5 |
| Little is known of Hero's childhood 9 of 22 | |
No evidence of JESUS' childhood. Although, aged 12, JESUS debated with priests in Jerusalem Temple
[LUKE 2:21] [LUKE 2:46-49] |
No evidence of MUHAMMAD's childhood |
| As adult, Hero returns/goes to future kingdom 10 of 22 | |
JESUS went to Jerusalem just before his last Passover, where he was declared king by the public
[JOHN 12:12-13] |
MUHAMMAD remains in Mecca and Medina |
| Hero has victory over king, giant, dragon or wild beast 11 of 22 | |
After Pontius Pilate ordered his crucifixion, JESUS returns in greater, spiritual, victorious glory
[JOHN 18:36-37] |
No evidence of victory over a king. However, MUHAMMAD is victorious in battles |
| Hero marries a princess, often daughter of predecessor 12 of 22 | |
No evidence JESUS ever married
|
MUHAMMAD married Khadijah, a merchant, business woman, not a princess |
| Hero becomes king 13 of 22 | |
Jerusalem proclaims JESUS the King of Israel. Later, JESUS is mocked by Romans as 'King of Jews'
[MARK 15:12] [MARK 15:18] |
MUHAMMAD was never a King, or refered as such. Instead, he was known as 'Slave of Allah' (God) |
| Hero reigns peacefully 14 of 22 | |
Following his Crucifixion, the spiritual JESUS reigns peacefully, as his disciples spread the Gospel message |
MUHAMMAD did not reign, or hold position of state or spiritual authority |
| Hero prescribes laws 15 of 22 | |
JESUS delivers teachings, parables and prophecies, taken with legal force by followers
[MARK 12:14] |
MUHAMMAD brought a new law (Shariah) and Quran |
| Hero loses favor with gods or subjects 16 of 22 | |
The jews turn against JESUS and demand Pontius Pilate crucify him
[JOHN 19:15] |
In 622 AD, MUHAMMAD does Hijra leaves Mecca for Medina to escape persecution |
| Hero driven from throne and city 17 of 22 | |
JESUS is driven out of Nazareth. Another time, he is led out of the city by Roman soldiers
[LUKE 23:26-32] [LUKE 4:29] |
In 622 AD, MUHAMMAD does Hijra leaves Mecca for Medina to escape persecution |
| Hero has a mysterious death 18 of 22 | |
During crucifixion, JESUS died after an unexpectedly short time (3 hours).
After 3 days, 3 nights, JESUS' body disappear. The sun stop shining and temple curtain was torn in two. From graves, 500 dead rose up and enter city as zombies
[LUKE 23:44-45] [MATTHEW 27:51-53] |
No evidence MUHAMMAD had a mysterious death |
| His death is at top of a hill 19 of 22 | |
JESUS was crucified on a skull-shaped hill of Golgotha, on top of Mount Calvary |
MUHAMMAD died in Medina (632 AD). No evidence of a hill site |
| Hero's children, if any, do not succeed him 20 of 22 | |
JESUS had no children to succeed him. James, JESUS' brother succeeded him as head of Jewish Christians in Jerusalem |
MUHAMMAD's children did not succeed him. Abu Bakr did |
| Hero's body is not buried 21 of 22 | |
JESUS' body was not buried. After 3 days, 3 nights in a Tomb, he resurrected |
MUHAMMAD was buried in the ground |
| Hero has one or more Sepulchers/Tombs 22 of 22 | |
The Church of Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem was built where Christians believe JESUS was executed |
MUHAMMAD's grave is in Medina, Saudi Arabia |
|
JESUS 91% (20 of 22 points apply)Based on the Raglan Scale, Jesus scores 91% (20 of 22 points apply to his earthly life). There is a VERY HIGH PROBABILITY the Biblical Jesus is a mythical, fictitous hero, rather than an actual historical figure. |
MUHAMMAD 36% (8 of 22 points apply)Based on the Raglan Scale, Muhammad scores 36% (8 of 22 points apply to him). It is very possible that Muhammad was an actual historical figure.
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The table below extends the Raglan scoreboard to include other 'Mythical Hero' and historical characters, in order of score as awarded by Lord Raglan himself.
| 'Mythical Hero'
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NOTES
1 Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Joseph and Elijah are recognized in Judaism, Christianity and Islam as real, historical persons. They are not considered 'Mythical Heros', although their narratives may be of a mythical nature.
CREDIT
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rank% E2% 80% 93Raglan_mythotype
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aminah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdallah_ibn_Abd_al-Muttalib
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_career_of_Muhammad
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khadija_bint_Khuwaylid
http://www.arabnews.com/news/525516
https://billygraham.org.uk/answer/why-did-king-herod-try-to-kill-jesus-shortly-after-his-birth-after-all-what-difference-could-a-tin/
https://ichthys.com/mail-Mary.htm
Thomas J. Sienkewicz on Jesus
Thomas J. Sienkewicz on Muhammad
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jcpa4.htm
| Author: Guest • Updated: 13 Aug 2026 |
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