Do you believe Jesus really existed?

Question

I am an atheist but I always figured there was some sort of historical figure named Jesus at the time. I am reading an article right now that disputes this and it interests me. What do you think and what historical (not the Bible) data do you have that can prove one way or the other.

Answer 1

No. The Gospels were written decades after he supposedly lived, and Josephus' account is dubious at best. There's not much else in the historical record, and doesn't that strike you as odd given the gospel account of the crucifixion? You'd think that a case of darkness at midday would have had the entire world talking.

Answer 2

I, of course, don't personally have any data, but remember watching shows on the Discovery Channel and the like that indicate that there was a man who fit the desciption of Jesus who led a ministry way back when. I don't doubt there was a Jesus-like person. In fact, I'd imagine there have been a few. I even feel that individuals like MLK Jr. hold many Jesus-like qualities. I don't think I could say definitively that there was not a man who led worshippers in a non-violently anti-establishment religious way of life and who was so influencial people would say he was the Messiah. While the Bible may be seriously flawed in many ways, including historical accuracy, I don't think that means there is not some truth to it or nothing historically to be learned from it. You just have to read between the lines.

Answer 3

There are other sources but the bible is a historical witness as well as being a book about faith. In fact the history on Jesus is the very best in the ancient world. While some of the references of Josephus have been disputed others that he makes in reference to Jesus have not been successfully disputed to my knowledge. Tacitus also has mentioned the Christians in 115 AD.

Answer 4

You ask if I believe - then want historical data to PROVE MY BELIEF?
IT's called BELIEF - for a reason...
You are also very fortunate to be able to see and read the books in the library at the Vatican. I will never see these historical data reference materials.
(You see humans have put the bible together - so that means there are plenty of historical data, but controlling FREE WILL and using the Holy Spirit - the bible was created to be a tool of testing as well as education.)
Yes, humans are tested as soon as they wake up - untill they go to sleep. People can talk the talk - GOD knows this better than we do, so HE sees if anyone can walk the walk.
Hard facts are important but sometimes faith is needed more than facts.

Answer 5

Yea, of course Jesus existed. I am not criticizing atheism; its really your choice; but the fact of the matter is: even if you (as the Jewish community) don't believe in the significance of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, that's fine. But even the Jewish community will accept that Jesus did in fact exist. Furthermore, there are many historical sources that support this, one being the Bible; but if you want other sources, there was a stone a few years ago, claiming James (or someone anyway) to be the brother of Christ. It was dated accurately to the time period, and this would support the existence of Jesus. Anyway, it would be one helluva stunt to pull off-- to manufacture a fake character that hundreds of sources (mainly from the Bible) support. Besides the Bible; you can look at books written by others taht didn't make it into the Bible that have been translated from Aramaeic adn other languages into English, such as Mary Magdalene. Her gospel along witha few others certainly support Jesus' existence even if it didn't make it into the Bible. Even those that say Mary had no intimate relationship with Christ, agree that he did exist, and even Mary would agree to this. I hope this helps!!!

Answer 6

If Jesus wrote anything it has long dissappeared. I don't believe that there is a historical document the relates to Jesus other than the rightings of his Disciples. However, there is a historical record related to some of his disciples, especially Peter in Rome.

So either Jesus existed as a historical figure or his disciples made him up. Most likely Jesus existed and they embellished stories about him.

Answer 7

I do indeed believe Jesus really existed.
But since you are "reading an article right now that disputes this and it interests me", rather than give data, I'm just moving to the next question. Others will get you the data.

Answer 8

duh? the gregorian calender. the year was fixed at his birth
thats would be quite a feat for an imaginary or fictional person to
influence the calulations of time.
The accounts presented in the Christian Greek Scriptures were accepted without question by thousands living in the first century. Even the enemies of Christianity did not deny the truthfulness of what Jesus was reported to have said and done. As to the possibility that Jesus’ character was embellished by his disciples after his death, Professor F. F. Bruce comments: “It can have been by no means so easy as some writers seem to think to invent words and deeds of Jesus in those early years, when so many of His disciples were about, who could remember what had and had not happened. . . . The disciples could not afford to risk inaccuracies (not to speak of willful manipulation of the facts), which would at once be exposed by those who would be only too glad to do so.”

Why They Do Not Believe

Nevertheless, some scholars remain skeptical. While they assume that the Biblical record is fictitious, they eagerly scour apocryphal writings and accept these as credible! Why? Obviously, the Bible record contains things that many modern intellectuals do not want to believe.

In his Union Bible Companion, published in 1871, S. Austin Allibone presented a challenge to skeptics. He wrote: “Ask any one who professes to doubt the truth of the Gospel history what reason he has for believing that Cæsar died in the Capitol, or that the Emperor Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the West by Pope Leo III. in 800? . . . We believe all the assertions . . . made respecting these men; and that because we have historical evidence of their truth. . . . If, on the production of such proof as this, any still refuse to believe, we abandon them as stupidly perverse or hopelessly ignorant. What shall we say, then, of those who, notwithstanding the abundant evidence now produced of the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures, profess themselves unconvinced? . . . They do not wish to believe that which humbles their pride, and will force them to lead different live

Answer 9

The Bible is considered by many people, even atheists, to be a historical record. So why is it that the well documented life of Jesus Christ be a testament to his existence? BTW the year is 2006. Why would we count each passing year starting from a date from some person who never existed? Every time you right the date it is your own personal recognition that he did live 2006 years ago. Think about the significance of that.

Answer 10

I actually think Jesus existed. And yes, it's coming from me, the Satanist atheist.

This man called Gérard Messadié wrote a book called "L'Homme qui devint Dieu" ("The Man who became God"), which explains a possible story of his life.

I don't believe in deities, nor that Jesus was sent by one. I just think he was a wise and lucid dude, who did have something for Mary Magdalene.

In the book, the so-called 'miracles' are explained scientifically, which at the time, people could not do. The fact he cured illnesses and blindness by rubbing saliva on the blind person's eyes, for example, can be explained by the fact he was an intelligent dude, and actually washed the people. The fact they probably did not bathe or wash their eyes is a possible reason for blindness and illness.

It is also said that after his "resurrection", he fled to India with Mary Magdalene, and is burried there with her. I also think they had a son, too, but I'm not sure.

Read the book. I don't know if translations exist, however.

People: if your deity really did exist, wouldn't it at least grant you proper spelling? That's enough proof to convince me deities are obsolete, mythological creatures.

Answer 11

Hello friend,
There are historical documents like the writings of Josephus, Origen, Eusebius and others that mention knowledge of the Man Jesus.
That He existed, is not really the question or problem.
It's just who He said He was that causes folks difficulty.
Go ahead and believe He existed. It won't hurt your believe none.
Take the next step and believe what He said, and well, that will shake things up a bit.
I've got solid Bible answers if you have genuine Bible questions,
but we should agree first on the Bible as authoritative and conclusive. Otherwise, it's all just opinions.

Blessings,
2 Tim. 2:7