Quote:None of the authors I have read attribute anything but Jewish piety to these followers, and it seems hard to believe that an apocalyptic worldview would have fit much with cosmopolitan, Hellenized Jews.
Hmm.... I have to go walk my dogs but let me leave you with a thought on this. Some years ago I read a critique of the Original Star Trek. In it, the author made the point that the crew represented the attitudes of 20th century Americans set in the 23d century. There was little attempt made to pretend that they represented 23d century humanity. It is the writer who determines the attitudes/opinions of fictional creations.
The "jews" were chosen to play the role of the bad guys. In the century from the mid first to the mid second century there were 3 serious revolts and by the end of that time they were at the top of everyone's shit list. Jesus is the good guy in the story and the jews are his opponents. In Hollywood versions they would be wearing black hats!
