seattlegal
Mercuræn Buddhist
Hey, Hebrew University of Jerusalem just announced that they've located King Herod's tomb at Herodium, (which is where Josephus said it was.) Perhaps there might be some information to be found there?
Thomas said:So we're left with the interesting paradox. The absence of evidence is not evidence in itself, but somehow we have to explain the emergence of a cult within Judaism, and the origins of its beliefs ...
... and that's the point. The Jesus of History is not the Jesus of Faith ...
"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence", Donald Rumsfeld.
Yes, I understand what you're saying. But I think we should wonder whether there are enough trees to make a forest. Shrubery is a different thing. In any case, if you can imagine yourself outside the box looking in, do you think you would find the veracity of the Jesus "myth", as presented in the Gospels, any more compellingly literal than any other god-man myth? I don't discount that the phenomenon of Christianity suggests some genuine artifact somewhere, but where? It might not really matter in terms of one's predisposition toward faith, but if one is neutral on the matter, lacking faith yet not polemically opposed to it, but rather intellectually curious, then I submit that there isn't enough evidence to satisfy the basic need for facts in order to come to an objective conclusion. That's the rub.
Sunny
In any case, if you can imagine yourself outside the box looking in, do you think you would find the veracity of the Jesus "myth", as presented in the Gospels, any more compellingly literal than any other god-man myth?
I don't discount that the phenomenon of Christianity suggests some genuine artifact somewhere, but where?
It might not really matter in terms of one's predisposition toward faith, but if one is neutral on the matter, lacking faith yet not polemically opposed to it, but rather intellectually curious, then I submit that there isn't enough evidence to satisfy the basic need for facts in order to come to an objective conclusion. That's the rub.
No-one gets anywhere by being neutral.
Yeah, I understand. Eventually one has to choose what to believe. Everything flows from that. To be clear, I've chosen not to believe in Jesus. I don't find his mythos compelling enough to join your faction. But I enjoy talking about it.
Strange. I thought you are Christian, based on your various contributions to the forum...maybe you better hold counsel with self, to find out what and who you are...
I'm not sure what you mean friend. Perhaps I merely defy stereotyping. I would prefer to keep my beliefs a personal matter. I enjoy the conversation, I'm polite, and I'm not grinding an axe. Surely that's enough.
Jesus' Birth--The Real Story - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Web SiteWhat is history, what is myth? Was Jesus a real person? Are the Gospels historically accurate?
for those who are interested to know the real truth about Jesus here is another link about Jesus .Jesus' Birth--How and Why It Happened - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Web Site
and there is alwaysMee, I am suprised that you are giving so many links to a particular religion's website. If one googles Jesus you get all the different points of view so as to form ones own opinion - and there is always Wikipedia
Jesus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thanks, all! It's good to be back! The dissertation is finished- yay- and now I have a life again!