I don't know if any of the "Jesus never existed" crowd are serious or not. Sometimes it seems they are saying that just to push people's buttons! If, however, you believe Jesus DID NOT ACTUALLY EXIST, I would like to know why? On what grounds do you dismiss the actual, physical life of a historical person?
2006-08-21 06:58:35 · 24 answers · asked by MamaBear 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm an atheist with respect to both the old testament and the new testament. I've spent a little time studying the bible as an historical document. I've read books on both sides of the debate, including the books listed in the sources below.
I expect that there probably was a real person from whom the stories of Jesus derive. At that time in history there were other apocalyptists and more than one was crucified. Jesus was probably the wisest and most charismatic of all of them.
However, there is really very little historical evidence that Jesus performed the miracles attributed to him, and certainly there is no corroboration for Jesus's resurrection.
It's interesting to me that Paul wrote so many of the books of the New Testament, when he never himself saw Jesus during his life. He supposedly had a vision of Jesus, and from that converted to his status as one of the main proselytizers. He also changed the teachings of Christ, who emphasized performing good acts, to just having faith in Christ. I think it is highly suspect to put a lot of credence in a man who just had a vision -- lots of people have "visions" but we normally call them "hallucinations".
I think the core teachings of Christ, especially "love your neighbor as thyself" are very worthy. But I don't think there is sufficient evidence to believe that he was anything other than a mortal man.
2006-08-21 07:38:34 · answer #1 · answered by Jim L 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I believe that there was an actual human being (possibly more than one) who fit the role of Jesus, upon whose teachings and experience some of the Bible stories may be founded. There is some historical evidence, but what I have seen is fairly first stage. I believe people who say Jesus never existed may refute the evidence or are actually referring to "Jesus the son of God" not having existed. I believe they are probably trying to say that the idea of this one man who did all the things in the Bible and was the son of God that most Christians believe did not exist in such a simple, convenient form, nor was he the son of God, nor was Mary a virgin. It is more the details than the idea that there was some guy named Yeshua who lead some disciples and taught some religion that they don't believe.
2006-08-21 07:11:23 · answer #2 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't flatly reject his existence, but I think it is
extremely doubtful that any such person as he is
portrayed to be in the bible ever existed. There is
little if any evidence for him from non-religious
sources. If he really did everything the bible says
he did he should appear in the Roman records,
but he doesn't.
If there were really any firm historical evidence of
his life you can bet the Jesus freaks would be
shouting it at the top of their voices. Do you hear
any such shouting/
There may very well have been some real person
on whom the stories are based, but the description
of his life in the bible is about as believable as the
tooth fairy.
2006-08-21 07:22:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually that is not true that there is no evidence outside the bible for the existence of Jesus. Google the name Simon Greenleaf. Greenleaf was one of the origianl founders of the Harvard School of Law and an expert in evidence who set out to disprove the gospel accounts and the myths of the bible regarding Jesus life. He concluded that based on the evidence that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was accurate and the witnesses were reliable. You can read the full paper at the link below.
2006-08-21 07:30:17 · answer #4 · answered by Bruce Leroy - The Last Dragon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not an atheist but I will inject my opinion regardless. There is no evidence that he existed outside the Bible, NONE.
FYI There is no Historical proof that Nazareth existed at the alleged time of Jesus.
2006-08-21 07:11:02 · answer #5 · answered by Quantrill 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I believe that Jesus of Nazareth did exist since we do have teachings attributed to him. However, I think that there are no writings contemporaneous to his life that prove his existence. Therefore, people that reject the New Testament may also reject the historical existence of Jesus.
You can read more about the subject here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_Jesus
2006-08-21 07:09:53 · answer #6 · answered by kevinngunn 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For Christians it truly is a center theory of the ideology: - Adam and Eve dedicated an unforgivable sin - God won't be able to change it truly is concepts because he's perfect - God makes use of a loophole of his before judgement via sacrificing a sinless being to absolve mankind of the unique sin - This sacrifice calls for a residing being and as purely the god itself is sinless it needs to incarnate and then die it truly is finished madness for sure, yet those are the pro teachings and the middle of Christianity. at the moment "moderates" warped the that technique of the unique tale that the sinless being Jesus became sacrificed for each little thing we do incorrect in our contemporary lives. yet certain, a actual manifestation of a god is the perfect center of Christianity. once Jesus grew to develop into out now to not exist, the entire faith is particularly a lot out of date.
2016-11-05 07:42:27 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no contemporary evidence. Everything written about this character was written decades after he supposedly existed. The stories about him are all based on prior religions. The town of Nazareth didn't exist until well after this character supposedly existed...that's just scratching the surface.
http://www.rationalresponders.com offers a $666 reward for anyone who can offer contemporary evidence of the existence of Jesus.I suggest you take them up on their offer.
2006-08-21 07:15:12 · answer #8 · answered by AiW 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Modern biblical scholarship makes a very compelling case for the idea that Jesus was an entirely fictional character.
The Jesus Puzzle
http://home.ca.inter.net/oblio/home.htm
2006-08-21 07:06:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because there is NO evidence outside of bibles that documents the existence of jesus( among others things).
Jesus is no more historical than Posiden.
2006-08-21 07:06:34 · answer #10 · answered by theagitator@sbcglobal.net 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋