Obviously there will be wildly differing opinions on this, but that's what makes it interesting! Seeing what other people equate as greatness provides a lot of insight into their own character. For that reason, I'm hoping there won't be many joke responses, but I'm not stupid, so I guess the joke responses can provide insight too. :/
For me, it would probably have to be Jesus. Now before you roll your eyes, know that I AM NOT A CHRISTIAN. I'm agnostic; I'm not sure God exists or Jesus was actually the messiah or if we get reincarnated when we die. But Jesus was an advocate for peace, love, and understanding in a time when you'd be hard-pressed to find those things. It's true that we only have the bible to go on and that historians debate whether Jesus ever even existed, but even if the miracles and stuff is bull, if Jesus was even half the man he was in the Bible, he's still the greatest man I think who ever lived. Not just for promoting peace and understanding, but also for getting people to listen to him and believe in him. A lot of people can claim one or the other, but rarely both, and they usually don't kick off what will become the biggest religion in the world. Now before you bring up countless tales of Christians who are awful people, I'm not talking about them, just Jesus. He was a great man, and the people who ACTUALLY follow his lessons are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.
It's just the way I look at it. I don't even fully agree with everything Jesus preached; I think "turn the other cheek" is often a great way to get yourself taken advantage of and abused. But I don't think anyone, of any religion (except perhaps Satanism?), would disagree with the moral values Jesus promoted.
Bring on the mocking!
For me, it would probably have to be Jesus. Now before you roll your eyes, know that I AM NOT A CHRISTIAN. I'm agnostic; I'm not sure God exists or Jesus was actually the messiah or if we get reincarnated when we die. But Jesus was an advocate for peace, love, and understanding in a time when you'd be hard-pressed to find those things. It's true that we only have the bible to go on and that historians debate whether Jesus ever even existed, but even if the miracles and stuff is bull, if Jesus was even half the man he was in the Bible, he's still the greatest man I think who ever lived. Not just for promoting peace and understanding, but also for getting people to listen to him and believe in him. A lot of people can claim one or the other, but rarely both, and they usually don't kick off what will become the biggest religion in the world. Now before you bring up countless tales of Christians who are awful people, I'm not talking about them, just Jesus. He was a great man, and the people who ACTUALLY follow his lessons are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.
It's just the way I look at it. I don't even fully agree with everything Jesus preached; I think "turn the other cheek" is often a great way to get yourself taken advantage of and abused. But I don't think anyone, of any religion (except perhaps Satanism?), would disagree with the moral values Jesus promoted.
Bring on the mocking!
)or Leonardo Da Vinci. Both made colossal contributions to society. It's just my opinion though, no need to tell me I'm wrong 
