How many of you think that a historical Jesus never existed?

I am really sorry if this has been posted before.

If you knew me in person, you would know I love getting into discussions with people about religion. One of the questions that seems to keep coming into the discussion loop is Jesus.

So I was at a social gathering the other night at a restaurant and I dropped my silverware and out of habit I said "Jesus Christ!" And a random girl that was a friend of a friend said, "Don't use the Lords name in vain."

So obviously we got into a debate.

I brought up the point in the discussion that Jesus never existed. Well everyone looked at me like i was off the wall insane...

At that point the discussion just turned into incoherent ramblings and Grrrr... So frustrating that people base their whole life on hearsay! Simply dumbfounding!!!

Help me feel better... seriously.

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Permalink Reply by Justin P. on March 31, 2011 at 7:06pm

I think the point that needs to be made is that whether or not he did exist as a carbon based, flesh and bone product of this planet as we... That OUR point is we don't believe in the majestic unicorn riding apostles of fear that the gospel tries to shove down our free-thinking throats everyday.

As an atheist, I feel this question is not entirely irrelevant, but is a little rhetorical amongst our mindset (no offense, Sophie). Maybe it's just I who perceieves it that way, but just putting in my two- to three-cents.

Live well, you free-thinking defectors :P

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Permalink Reply by Paul Carrollton on March 31, 2011 at 7:50pm

And they would still be known as Jews today. Jesus would be incorporated into their Bible. They also would be worshipping the Messiah instead of still looking for him.

Really, if the resurrection story depicted in the bible is true, and Jesus made such a feeble, undocumented showing, being omniscient, ominpresent, and omnipotent, then I prefer not to follow him. He would have to be an idiot not to show himself in grand fashion. Why not just march up to the Temple on Resurrection day? Why not just walk down Main Street in Jerusalem so everyone can see you? Why not walk right up to Pontius Pilate and embrace him?

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Permalink Reply by Caesar MacEntire on March 31, 2011 at 4:49am

No time to explain, but I believe there was a person called Jesus that existed 2000 years ago preaching of a god... Though the miracles and whole "Son of God" thing are fictional, of course.

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Permalink Reply by Berty on April 20, 2011 at 1:22pm

i think he existed, but not with any magical powers

maybe just a little high on charisma :)

i think they found some evidence of his existence, like the cave where his body was put after the crucifixion.

and the robe he was wearing with some blood on it

you should check in to it

maybe get a documentary from national geographic about Jesus, savior or myth ^^

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Permalink Reply by Nathan Palo on June 3, 2011 at 5:56pm

I would say yes, someone named Jesus (or the equivalent in the local language) probably did exist. I would go so far as to accept that such a person spoke out against the church authorities and was executed for it. Then a mythology was hijacked/constructed around him, and a new religion was formed. But beyond the very general claims that aren't extraordinary, the evidence is insufficient. The name is not uncommon, and dissidents would be executed occasionally. But any teaching of Jesus may well be fabricated, any actions might not have taken place, and I certainly don't buy any of the miracle claims.

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Permalink Reply by erik112358 on June 16, 2011 at 7:19am

Haven't been able to read the whole thread, but I tend to think most myths have some basis in reality (however small it may be). There probably was a guy named Jesus who captivated a lot of people with his power of speech. Some of them liked what he had to say so much that they crafted a messianic story around his actual life to convert other people to their new religion. Virgin birth, crucifixion, resurrection, miracles, his claim to be the "son of god", all of it except maybe the main points of his message.