The greatest man who ever lived. Period.

Incredibly influential. So inspirational, so dangerous.

He is the Savior of all mankind, not just of Christians. He is the Creator, Redeemer, and God. He knows everyone by name and gave his life for all people. No one else compares to Him and one day all people will know this.

omg

Without question and without any close rival as the most influential of all-time!!!

Name another King that willingly gave up his own life for his followers?

Died and then rose again!

Buddah, Muhammad and etc. have died and are still dead, period.

The most influentual person who ever walked the face of the earth. Considering he only preached his message for 3 years, he should be forgotten. But, because he was God's son and was able to do things nobody else had the power or authority to do, he changed the world forever and reunited us with God. Easily, the greatest man who ever lived.

Obviously very influential.

Jesus is my HOMEBOY!

Jesus was lord.  End of.  It is likely he was a vegetarian and that does seem to go with his overall message of love and kindness to all. How those who have killed and carried out acts of cruelty in the name of Jesus is beyond me.  They obviously never even read about him and yet they have the nerve to call themselves Christians - I am talking here about various rulers in Europe over the centuries and also the horrendous cruelty inflicted on animals to "celebrate" saints' days in places like Spain.  Monstrous acts carried out by monsters, not Christians.

how could you have JESUS and not BUDDHA or CONFUCIUS?? Jesus didn't do much in his time to spread the religion, that was Paul.

Much more popular after his death, the story of him was much more popular than he ever was.

  There's now a growing "rational Christianity" movement in which the adherents are tossing-out the mystical magical miracle stuff & just taking a look at what the bible says about the actual teachings of Jesus. I find this idea interesting, in that it's got some serious & very credible historical connections to the roll of Thomas Jefferson, the ideals & concepts envisioned in "Jeffersonian democracy" & the factual history of the importance of "Thomas Jefferson's Bible" in early American governmet.

I'm not sure that the evolution of "Atheistic Christianity" is going to be a positive thing, since anyone's teachings - removed from their historical contexts - are likely to become anachronisms eventually, still, borrowing heavily from the words of William Shakespeare, (someone else history can't actually prove existed!) it would be a nice start if Christians would "assume a virtue, (even) if they have it not".

I, myself, have assumed something quite opposite of a virtue in the last five-six years. The tenor & the tone of our personal, interpersonal & impersonal discussions have de-evolved into death threats & simple-minded black & white, falsely binary "you're either this - or that" assertions. We've all been hit by the fist of raw arrogant power steeped in the brew of ignorance & I too have thrown punches in return, I've screamed to get above the roar of the mob.

At my 100th post, I'll leave the debate to cooler heads & gentler dispositions, to those better equipped for the suffering of fools & the turning of cheeks. I do not wish to continue to mimmick that which I so despise. I'd rather be talking softly & teaching to those who's minds aren't crystalized by a lifetime of infected thinking. Let others rage against the machine. I've decided to let the little Lee Attwaters and aspiring Karl Roves live in their own excrement. I'm going to teach REAL history to young people.

I love Jesus ( i wish people have kept his original teachings and not turned him in to a divine figure, for he was no more than a messenger of GOD.

Since Jesus was (unlike what many christians seem to believe) not the first to say basically anything of what he's assosiated with today I would concider Paul a much greater influence because of what he did in spreading a somewhat ordinary Jewish sect. There are just overwhelming amounts of stories about Jesus that had been told about different charachters in fiction long before his time, and this to me indicates that one has to take the stories of Jesus as told in the later gospels with a grain of salt. After all, most of the stories of what Jesus actually did was written at least 40 years after his death, and like I said seem heavily influenced by current folklore. Close to none of his "miracles" was written about until about the year 70 AD if I remember correctly.
So I would not say that Jesus as an individual was any more influential than those who wrote of him. Because it was them how turned Jesus into Christ so to speak, and for no good reason if you ask me.

  The (in)famous deist and revolutionary, Thomas Paine, may not have avowed the divinity of Christ, but he venerated him all the same. According to The Age of Reason, Jesus was a "virtuous and amiable man" whose morality was of a "most benevolent kind." Paine even went so far as to claim that his philosophy "has not been exceeded by any." Why was Jesus great?  It's because Jesus "preached most excellent morality and the equality of man" and "also against the corruptions and avarice of the Jewish priests";  indeed, it was the latter that "brought upon him the hatred and vengeance of the whole order of priesthood." (No doubt Paine would be saying much the same about Falwell, Robertson and his ilk!) Altogether, Jesus was a "virtuous reformer and revolutionist": he was inspiration for other humans who wanted to better their world. And this is high praise, indeed, for someone who championed the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the rights of man.  

I rate Jesus at the top of the men who have influenced humanity.  Not because of what he did or said but because of what men have done in his name.  They have twisted his teachings into a religion with is more threatening than compassionate.  It has more sticks than carrots to offer.  As a child, I sang Jesus Loves Me.   I was a very religious person, went to Sunday School, Church, Sang in the Choir, Played Piano and Organ in Church, and then had the Leviticus crisis.  I was told that I was an abomination unto God because I was gay.  How could Jesus love me and God think me an abomination.   Thus began my search for meaning for myself.  I no longer believe in organized religion but rather am in awe of Nature which was created by something or someone bigger than Man.  Now, nearing my life's end, I realize how much Religion has manipulated Man and how little most of the world really thinks.  Again, I would ask:  Where did Cain's wife come from?

eventhought,their so much theory about his relationship to maria magdaline & they had a child. For me, its only a theory.

Everyone who thinks Jesus is the son of God is super UberGay. Wake up people from the dream to reality. How can God DIE for humans sin. Also does that mean I can kill anyone as he already died for our sin? So you say no because in order to get salvaged you need to do what Jesus did, well then why did he die for our sins when we don't commit sins when we follow what Jesus did. What a screwed up logic. I can't believe people are so stupid. But as George Washington said the mass can not be trusted i.e. they are stupid. Thats why people like GW Bush is the president. BUT JESUS (THE PROPHET IS AWESOME AND WAS A PACIFIST, NOT THE SON OF GOD) THE SON OF GOD WAS STUPID BECAUSE HE DIED FOR HIS STUPIDITY)

One of the most unique figures in history of all mankind. And will always remain as such. The combination of his mystery, and influence, vacillates his legend between truth and tale; but it is a quality that adds to his uniqueness. His character, influence, and background; would make anyone yearn to meet him. If only just to know who he really was.

The historical Jesus is hard to find, but as I recollect Josephus (whom I have not read in years), he does make an oblique reference to Jesus. He must have been a minor figure to the Romans since little notice was paid to him. Palestine was an unruly and troublesome place. There were many prophets and for the Romans troublemakers. Palestine was a strategic necessity for the Romans. It was the land bridge between Syria and Egypt. That is why a legion was stationed there as well as the fact that this strategic area was full of turbulent people. You must reflect, dear reader, that the entire regular Roman Army consisted of just twenty legions and that many auxiliaries again. Counting sailors and marines, the entire Roman military establishment at this point in history was about 400,000! I digress, and come back to Jesus. The lack of historical record means that he must be taken on faith unlike some of the other founders of the world's great religions.

By far the most influential person in history. Billions of people follow his beliefs and dozens of wars have been fought over those beliefs.

Thouh his teachings and the true spirit of his message have been skewed and perverted, this one is a no-brainer. More people have studied and or worshipped Jesus than any other figure in world history, hands down. Islam did not even exist prior to 748 AD. I will say this howver- I don't think Christ had the true influence on mankind that he would have wanted.

Believe in Him or not, Christ most certainly has shaped a lot of societies throughout history.

Jesus was just a person, he has reached more people than any other in history besides Muhammad, and his religion has led to infinite mind controlled and war-hungry people until evolution creates another popular religion.

Who else could be the most influential, other than the creator?

Well, with his effect, the people learns how to trust each other. And this will bring a result making more confidence and outgoing.. Like the Europe being affected by America. He surely did lots of benefits in his land.

In many respects, Jesus Christ's message was the most revolutionary ever posited by any figure in world history. Here you have a guy whose central message was "do unto others as they would do unto you". This isn't merely a suggestion, a thought about how you should treat others: this idea forms our modern conception of human rights. Some might interpret this as an "eye for an eye", a form of reciprocal justice. Christ never advocated that we retaliate against our enemies. He said: "those who live by the sword die by the sword". Rather than retaliating against his enemies, he forgave them, as violent action always breeds more violent action. The Golden Rule essentially says that you should put yourselves in the other person's shoes and consider how you would like to be treated if you were them. Christ's message called for mutual respect for our neighbors; regardless of background, class, race, and creed. The Golden Rule really forms the foundation of modern jurisprudence as we know it. . Jesus’ message was defined by patience, kindness and meekness, yet that didn't necessarily mean that he was soft on unethical behavior. He was very tough on hypocrites who misled the innocent, witness the instance where he overturned the moneychanger’s tables at the Temple in Jerusalem. When there is an injustice in the world, we should fight against it. Being meek doesn’t mean being passive in the face of great wrongs. There aren't too many figures out there whom I can say should be emulated, but I can certainly say that if people behaved more according to Christ’s principles, and yes that does include many who claim to be His followers, perhaps this world would be a better place. But it is indeed a tough act to follow...

Jesus is gangsta!

He preached a message of true love and he should be at the top of this list and all other lists.

yes he is great influncer of world, he is god

Jesus was perfect. You can't beat that.

Jesus is the most important figure in the Christian religion. Whether he was or wasn't the real human- doesn't matter, what matters is his teachings his good-doing, his compassion. The funny thing is that he is somewhat of an important figure even in Judaism and Islam(where they see him as a prophet, but not as a son of God). I think reguardless of your religion and belief, any of you should be very respectful to a religous figure who happens to be perhaps the greatest being on this Earth.

He should be at the absolute top of this list. Sure I'm a Christian. I know Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. He's more than just religion -- He is God!

Jesus isn't actually a man, he was and is still the Son of God. Heard of Judaism? Well that started in the beginning of the world when God created it. Then God decided that the earth was crap and sent his Son, Jesus the Christ to earth to recruit some desciples and start an amazing new movement. We call this Christianity. Which originated from Judaism, which is the Jewish religion.

Whoever proposed this listing is here calling him Jesus the Messiah.

Jesus is the center of human history. Christianity is not based on his teachings or phiolosophy, but on the historical events of the Cross where he died for the sin of the world and the resurrection where he vinicates/justifies all who put their trust in him. The calendar is dated around the proclamation of his Lordship. There was an emporer of Rome in the 3rd century named Diocletian who persecuted Christians and he claimed to be lord of the world. He even dated the calendar around himself. Later is the 7th century there was a monk named Dionysis the insignificant who did something very significant. He said that Jesus is Lord and Diocletian is not and so he went and revised the calendar around the birth of Jesus. Now when we write the date May 1, 2006 we are proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus the Messiah. He made everything new by his resurrection from the dead. He is what life is about.

the greatest hoax and myth. now we are finding out jesus put judas up to betraying him. just a bunch of made up stories...lol

Jesus saved the whole world! why is he only 5th on the list?

For those of you who think Jesus is pathetic and a myth...what if you are wrong? I would rather believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and be wrong, than not believe and be wrong.

What does David Koresh have to do with Jesus of Nazareth. Are there still ignorant people on this planet that do not believe that the life of this man was notthe greatest example of humble, good, peace, forgiveness, tolerance... Islam cannot say this from theeir prophet. Read closely the Koran as I did, and see how dangerously this man fufilled his life. And not to forget him being a pedofile, racist, anti women,... Just read it and see... This is not propaganda, it's reality...

i have yet to find anyone that has not heard of this amazing man (God) Absolutity great

He is LORD! the almighty one, my best friend and my savior. i will see him one day soon!

Interesting to read through these comments. He's a very influencial person, many believe he was a myth. Whether myth or not, you can't deny the great influence he's had on people.

Jesus, the son of God, heck, i don't care what happens, someone kills me because hes my Lord i know and beleive hes true, ill love him forever, the most influencial man in history, yes! he chose between being rich and poor, the wise men gave him gifts, and I believe he useed that for the poor, needy, broken, and hurt

Hey Spencoid, Jesus is the reason for all the good in the world,such as love,compassion,security,happyness,mercy,forgivenes s,freedom,and more!!!Also,they wouldn't print copies of the bible of Jesus weren't real would they?!!I also watch "The 700 Club" about people who have had tragic lives that were turned around by Jesus.And many people have said they died,and came back to life!!!!Also my uncle once had a dream that he saw this man in hell.And he met this man in person,and told him if he didn't give his life to God that he would go to hell for real!!!And the man gave his life to God!!!!

By far the most influencial person of history.

the greatest man to ever step foot on earth.

So influential that people who don't even profess to know much about Jesus give Him a middle name on a regular basis. UPDATE: Taming Sari, We are not discussing Jesus' place in world religious views, Islamic, Christian, or otherwise. We are rating His influence upon world history and events. Please stick to the subject matter.

Jesus is a true Prophet,sent by Allah like Moses,Abraham,Lot,Noah,Jonah,Joseph etc(peace be upon them).Jesus is the son of virgin Mary and had no father,Allah created Jesus,Allah does not accept that a Prophet,a person,an Angel,a cow,a stone or anything be worshipped in place of Him or along with Him.Worship must be to Allah,the Creator of them.

"Was a prophet of Muhammed." "He was a black hassidic Jew from Ethiopia." "He is the son of God." Whatever you believe he was a huge influence on this world and still continues to be.

Whether you believe he was the son of God or not, there is no denying his incredible influence upon the world today, two thousand years after he lived.