Open debate: What does Jesus teach?

[SteveII]

The reason most scholars agree that Jesus not only existed, but was indeed crucified is the gospel accounts from 4 different groups of people, some mention of him from Josephus and Tacitus, but most importantly, that the early church would not have developed as it did had not a core of these things been true. This is called corraborating evidence and is considered very good evidence when judging historical events.

You all have your head in the sand if you think Jesus did not live, teach, and die on a cross.

I don't think you understand early church propaganda. If the church's core beliefs were based on truths as you say, there would've been no need destroy the works of it's critics or forge the works of early historians and other authors. The small mention of jesus in Josephus's and Tacitus's work is believed to be likely forged by Eusebius. The mention of jesus didn't show up in Josephus's work until centuries after Josephus died. Tacitus's work was much of the same. With that in mind your corroborating evidence is weak considering the only other reference for jesus is the bible/gospel accounts.

I don't understand early church propaganda--you mean creating the myth of Jesus - the perpetration of the largest hoax in the history of the world? So large and so complicated as to defy reason? AND so thoroughly successful that it has endured, no, thrived for 2000 years? It's fingerprints can be found on almost ever facet of modern society. The brilliance!!

If you think this really happened, what do you think the motives of the perpetrators were to start a religion that teaches humility, love, respect, forgiveness, self-sacrifice, and servant-leaders--BASED on lies and fabrication?

What do you mean destroy the works of it's critics and other authors?

While you bring up one reference to Jesus that Josephus made--which may or may not have been altered, you left out mention of the other one--which no one thinks has been altered.

I see no such claims with Tacitus' writings.

This is fascinating. I have really never encountered anyone who really thought Jesus was a myth. I can understand all the other objections about teachings, resurrection, etc., but this one boarders on absurd.