“‘Parallels’ of prophets not parallel”

Have you encountered the claim that Jesus is merely a more or less (or even entirely) fictional character who parallels the lives of, among others, such figures as Krishna, Osiris, and similar semi-historical or completely mythical heroes?

It’s really popular in some pop-atheist circles.  And the triumphant form in which I’ve commonly encountered it is simply . . .  well, the technical term is stupid.  Here’s a brief column on the subject:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765576518/Parallels-of-prophets-not-parallel.html

Posted from Amman, Jordan