Even if the passage is authentic and not something patched in later by a Christian liar (as has been shown to be the case in other instances of old texts), all it means is that the story was being spread by circa 116. Obviously, Tacitus did not witness anything directly beyond the fact that there were members of a bizarre cult, who made various claims. So it just means that Christians were making such claims in circa 116 about Christ, nothing more.
In other words, this is not evidence that anyone existed at all, just evidence that there were such stories in about 116.
One can read old texts in which Apollo and Zeus are discussed as existing, too. They may have as much reality in them as Jesus.
Also, this is not the proper place for this stuff; it belongs in another thread.
In other words, this is not evidence that anyone existed at all, just evidence that there were such stories in about 116.
One can read old texts in which Apollo and Zeus are discussed as existing, too. They may have as much reality in them as Jesus.
Also, this is not the proper place for this stuff; it belongs in another thread.
"A wise man ... proportions his belief to the evidence."
— David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section X, Part I.
