Begging the question.... LMAO. Guys, you need to establish that the NT and other documents were written by credible witnesses, and that such testimony regarding Jesus' magic was accurate. The questions raised about them is, and has always been, about corroboration. Is there anything credible that can back these stories up? Things provided by unbiased sources that don't have a vested interest in it being true?
Instead, we keep getting deflections.
"The apostles were there!" - Okay
"They witnessed Jesus' death..." - Okay, since death by crucifixion was a known means of punishment
"...and resurrection!" - Given that such a resurrection violates everything we know about the universe, we're going to need more evidence before we accept that it happened
"Why would they lie?" - Why are you assuming they're telling the truth? These people had a motive for lying, namely a burgeoning religious/political revolution. And, again, it doesn't conform to what we know about the universe
"Why would they risk torture and death?" - Because that's what zealous revolutionaries/cultists do?
"How could the church gain such popularity so quickly?" - Popularity has nothing to do with veracity. See: anti-vaxxers
"You cannot provide any evidence that this is false!" - I don't need to. I'm not the one claiming the documents and testimony are true. I'm raising objections that must be sufficiently addressed before I believe it's true, while giving plausible alternatives
"Evolution!" - Oh, fuck off
So, with the bullshit out of the way, please provide actual corroborating evidence that supports the magical aspects of the NT. Or accept that you've simply made a leap of faith without such evidence because the thought of a magic zombie savior gives you warm fuzzies. Either way works for me.
Instead, we keep getting deflections.
"The apostles were there!" - Okay
"They witnessed Jesus' death..." - Okay, since death by crucifixion was a known means of punishment
"...and resurrection!" - Given that such a resurrection violates everything we know about the universe, we're going to need more evidence before we accept that it happened
"Why would they lie?" - Why are you assuming they're telling the truth? These people had a motive for lying, namely a burgeoning religious/political revolution. And, again, it doesn't conform to what we know about the universe
"Why would they risk torture and death?" - Because that's what zealous revolutionaries/cultists do?
"How could the church gain such popularity so quickly?" - Popularity has nothing to do with veracity. See: anti-vaxxers
"You cannot provide any evidence that this is false!" - I don't need to. I'm not the one claiming the documents and testimony are true. I'm raising objections that must be sufficiently addressed before I believe it's true, while giving plausible alternatives
"Evolution!" - Oh, fuck off
So, with the bullshit out of the way, please provide actual corroborating evidence that supports the magical aspects of the NT. Or accept that you've simply made a leap of faith without such evidence because the thought of a magic zombie savior gives you warm fuzzies. Either way works for me.
"I was thirsty for everything, but blood wasn't my style" - Live, "Voodoo Lady"