The Jesus Itinerary

[Lion IRC]

A. The Bible says John the Baptist groveled before Jesus, told everyone to follow Jesus, told everyone how inferior he was to Jesus, told everyone he wasn't fit to unloose Jesus' sandals, etc.
B. The followers of John the Baptist were rivals of the early Christians.

So, if "A" above is an accurate account of the ministry of John the Baptist, how could "B" also be true? There are two possibilities:

1. The followers of John the Baptist stubbornly refused to listen to the very man they revered.
2. The Gospel accounts are a bit of religious propaganda used to incorporate the icons of a rival religion in EXACTLY THE SAME WAY the Muslims would later do to Jesus. Also, exactly the same way Christianity incorporated the icons and practices of rival religions throughout its history (see Christmas and Easter).

You didnt even attempt to answer my point that;

A. The Bible says John the Baptist deferred to Jesus. Your theory is an argument from silence. Where are your Mandaean historical texts to the contrary?

B. Only some of the early followers of John the Baptist didnt follow Jesus. Your theory assumes that John the Baptist told them Jesus was not the Messiah and they were obeying him.

C. Huge numbers of Johns' early followers DID then become followers of Jesus. WHY??? Your theory doesnt explain this.

D. John the Baptist, (the Old Testament Jew) was preaching repentance and baptism for a very specific reason.
Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight paths. If not Jesus then WHO???? Your theory doesnt explain this.