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
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 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
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 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
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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'
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 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
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. 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
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt 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
And was there until the death of Herod that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. 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
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. LUKE 2:21 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 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
On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 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
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 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'
And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? MARK 15:12 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! 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
And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 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
But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 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
And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. LUKE 23:26-32 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. 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
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. LUKE 23:44-45 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 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 |
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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
168-jesus-mythical-raglan22
| Author: Guest • Updated: 04 Sep 2026 • 20,328 views | 2 hrs ago |
Explore More
What is Mythical?Mythical is a person or something occurring in or characteristic of myths or folk tales. It is something existing only in the imagination, described in a myth especially as contrasted with history.
Who is GOD?In monotheism and henotheism, God is conceived as the Supreme Being and principal object of faith. The concept of God as described by theologians commonly includes the attributes of omniscience (infinite knowledge), omnipotence (unlimited power), omnipresence (present everywhere), omnibenevolence
(perfect goodness), divine simplicity, and eternal and necessary existence.
In theism, God is the creator and sustainer of the universe
In deism, God is the creator, but not the sustainer, of the universe
Monotheism is the belief in the existence of one God or in the oneness of God
In pantheism, God is the universe itself
In atheism, God is purported not to exist, while deemed unknown or unknowable within the context of agnosticism.
