The (non) existence of Jesus

[robvalue]

Hi guys, it came to my attention recently that Jesus, the historical figure, may not have even existed at all. I had always assumed that there was some guy called Jesus who did a bunch of stuff, and it got way exaggerated over the years.

But it seems there is a good possibility such a person never existed at all, which is a bit of a problem for christians. They obsess over Jesus as if he is the good cop to god's bad cop, even though he did and said some pretty terrible things too which they are quick to overlook.

Anyhow, I found this very interesting video by a guy who has done a lot of research into the area to share with you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwUZOZN-9dc

[The Grand Nudger]

No more troubling than if he did and the entire story was true.

[Minimalist]

I'm reading Carrier's book, now.

[Mudhammam]

Carrier... meh.

[JesusHChrist]

I think Carrier makes a good case. I've seen that video before and would be interested in an expert's rebuttal.

Usually, all I hear from the anti-mythicists is something like "most all reputable scholars think Jeebs existed, therefore he did".

But the evidence is paper, paper thin at best.

The mythicist position seems to more readily explain the facts in a cohesive manner, but that could just be the Devil talkin'.

[Cato]

People that believe Jesus was born of a virgin and was resurrected will not be inconvenienced in the slightest by Carrier's argument.

[Minimalist]

Stupid people are never impressed by evidence.

[Mudhammam]

I think Carrier makes a good case. I've seen that video before and would be interested in an expert's rebuttal.

Usually, all I hear from the anti-mythicists is something like "most all reputable scholars think Jeebs existed, therefore he did".

But the evidence is paper, paper thin at best.

The mythicist position seems to more readily explain the facts in a cohesive manner, but that could just be the Devil talkin'.

Can you summarize his main points?

[The Grand Nudger]

Usually, all I hear from the anti-mythicists is something like "most all reputable scholars think Jeebs existed, therefore he did".

A nearly profound comment along those lines from Bart Ehrman:

These views are so extreme and so unconvincing to 99.99 percent of the real experts that anyone holding them is as likely to get a teaching job in an established department of religion as a six-day creationist is likely to land on in a bona fide department of biology.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bart-d-ehr...49544.html


Hmn Bart...I suppose that might help to explain why there aren't so many "real experts" that advance such an argument.....mans gotta eat.

[Tonus]

Usually, all I hear from the anti-mythicists is something like "most all reputable scholars think Jeebs existed, therefore he did".

I can just imagine a time 2,000 years into the future, when it is shown that there were real life people named Clark Kent, Peter Parker, Bruce Wayne, and Diana Prince, and it will be used as proof that there was a pantheon of gods protecting the Earth from the evil Thanos, who may yet return if humanity doesn't turn from its destructive ways and give both its money and its nubile young virgins over to the new priesthood for "purification."