I just read this really interesting article about similarities between the various saviours, or messiahs that are said to have walked the earth, most of them appearing long before jesus supposedly emerged.
http://www.gardinersworld.com/content/view/164/1/
I don't personally believe that jesus was the son of god, or that he came to die for all mankind, but I kind of believe he may have been a historical figure with a certain amount of charisma, an ancient version of modern-day cult leaders like Jim Jones and David Koresh. It seems that throughout history people from various cultures have always believed in messiah-like beings who had very similar lives, and deaths, to jesus, and had "come" for a similar purpose. Here's an extract from the article
Messiah (Comparisons) So there are many similarities between the various "messiahs" that the world has known and it is my view that they all emanate from one original and serpent cult source. We have seen above some groundwork from the realm of Hindu and Buddhist belief. We can see the beginnings and origins even of some of the more peculiar and even profound things we find in our Christian Messiah in the West. Let’s just take a look at some comparisons now and see what sticks out like a sore thumb! Buddha was born of the virgin Maya who was known as the ‘Queen of Heaven’ on December 25 th . Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, also known as the ‘Queen of Heaven,’ on December 25 th in a cave or manger. Horus was born of the virgin Isis-Meri on December 25 th. Isis-Meri is also known as Mata-Meri or Mother Mary. Mithra was born to a virgin on December 25 th and in a cave or manger; also announced by a star and three wise men. Chrishna was born of the virgin, Devaki (shining one). This goddess or ‘Queen of Heaven’ is known as Isis, Astarte, Asherah, Marratu, Marah, Mariham. In fact the Semites knew her as Mari-El or Mary God or indeed shining Mary. Chrishna’s most beloved disciple was known as Arjuna or Ar-jouan (John.) In Egyptian myth, Anup or Aan (John) the Baptiser also baptised Horus, and in Christian myth John baptised Jesus. Both Anup and John the Baptist were decapitated. Buddha performed miracles and healed the sick, as did most of the others. Horus had twelve disciples like Christ and Mithra. Buddha was transfigured on a mountain like Christ and Horus. They all ascended into heaven. Buddha was sacrificed for three days and was then resurrected like Jesus. Horus was crucified, buried in a tomb and then resurrected. Mithra was buried in a tomb and then resurrected three days later. Chrishna was crucified between two thieves on a tree, then rose from the dead and ascended to heaven – as did Prometheus. The idea of being resurrected after three days has strong links to astronomy. The stone monuments of the world are also linked to astronomy and the serpent. The 12 disciples are the 12 zodiac signs and months and of course, the snake, seen as the Ouroboros is in control of the signs – just like Christ, who controls and guides the disciples. But the snake is seen, not just in control of the stars, but also as the sun and the moon – basically, the serpent is seen as the most powerful of the cosmic entities.
There is a lot more to the article. Although it is acknowledged that if jesus did exist, he wasn't born on Dec 25th, it's easy to see where the idea came from originally. I used to believe, during my time as a jw, that the appearance of the true messiah began and ended with jesus, though I knew that others after him had claimed to be the messiah, as the bible said they would. I didn't know that messiah legends had existed for thousands of years before jesus had been born. I don't recall the bible saying too much about them.