hearsay is not evidence ...anyone can write whatever they like about someone they never met...the Bible is all hearsay.
There are no authentic independent contemporary accounts of Jesus anywhere outside the Bible. This points heavily to the fact that Jesus is a fictional story-book character existing only in the tampered with and sometimes totally faked writings in the Bible itself.
2006-09-12 00:36:01 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Reply to Rigo:
It's easy to believe anything when you dispense with the need for evidence...that's why it's best to examine the available evidence before placing your belief in anything.
2006-09-13 21:37:22 · update #1
You are absolutely correct. It is no different than Zeus and Thor, hey what do you say we believe in Zeus, he was pretty cool. There will never be proof, there will be counter proof, it's called science and has already happened a few times; world is flat, earth the center, etc.
2006-09-12 00:42:28 · answer #1 · answered by John R 4 · 2⤊ 4⤋
People can say anything they want as evidenced by your own question. There is still no certain criteria for truth. That simply means that to the human mind the evidence for evidence will always be out.
One theory leads to another and there never will be a place in time when there is no longer any theory. The historical Jesus is verified by current experience with the life of Christ.
Even at a wedding we have no evidence that two people love each other. All we have is hearsay. Certainly we know by the record that a marriage license is not evidence. The evidence for many true loves lies in the grave; and we do not even have that for the life of Jesus.
Love and life are both proved by experience and not evidence. As for me, I know my redeemer lives and that he shall stand at this latter day upon the earth; and I shall behold Him with the very eyes that write this response.
If there is time, you might enjoy reading "In Search of the Historical Jesus" by Dr. Albert Schweitzer. Schweitzer was not a Christian but would stand a better chance in any man's heaven than most.
2006-09-12 08:27:59 · answer #2 · answered by Tommy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The gospels were said to have been written during the time there were still witnesses alive to confirm what has been written in those books. You don't know if the Bible is a work of fiction, but you also don't know if the Bible is a work of the truth. No one can tell you first hand if George Washington was a real person, or if the pilgrims did hit Plymouth Rock. Evidence can't give you all the facts. There are data that support the existance of Jesus Christ, but that can't truly confirm if he really existed at all. It's faith. No matter what you choose to believe, it all comes down to faith. And if you truly want to know Jesus, you'll slowly begin to realize that evidence isn't necessary. That's how I used to think, and I found that I didn't need evidence to know that it is true.
2006-09-12 07:52:18 · answer #3 · answered by CK 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
actually you are wrong about this, there are accounts of Jesus in history but his arabic name is used not his english name.
Lets suppose you are right about the bible, it is all hearsay. what then about the prophesies that have come to pass EXACTLY as they were written?
Its pretty unusual don't you think that a fictional story book character, would be around for 2000 years, that the story would remain the same, that it would be so popular that every civilized person over the last 2000 years has heard that name, and the story, and being so unpopular with some people how come it just won't go away? why not just stop printing the book?
There is a very good reason why there is no proof of God, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that he exists, but little to prove it.....with the following exception: Every one has a weakness, something that they have no control over, and it demoralizes and causes them a great deal of pain, yet, they are powerless to change it. We all have it. But the benefit that we have who believe, is that of GRACE, When through believing in God that stronghold that has us enslaved is broken, and we are set free from it, God has indeed revealed himself to us. He proves his existence to EACH INDIVIDUAL one person at a time in a very personal way by taking away something that you are powerless to take away yourself, and removes your misery. The proof that God exists is in the heart. not in the world, this is why you cannot find it or see it.
Hope this helps
2006-09-12 07:54:45 · answer #4 · answered by setfreejn836 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Let me get this straight. You aren'r asking a question here but making a statement. In your question you are answering your own question.
"anyone can write whatever they like..."
I'm not sure how well versed you are in this but the first book of the New testament and the fourth are first hand accounts written by Matthew and John respectively. So, they certainly "met" and knew Jesus intimately. How about the books Peter 1, 2, 3? He was there, too.
Now, what do you call authentic?
I believe there are references to Jesus in historical records of the times. I think there are very few scholars who agree with you.
You lack any kind of knowledge in this matter...whether he was who he said he was would be a better question for you to ask.
Whether he did or didn't walk this earth is a matter of historical fact. It isn't made up. Next time do some research first.
2006-09-12 07:51:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you would first agree that it would be very difficult to prove that your great great grandfather ever existed. I mean, do you have photos of him? Do you have letters written by him? Do you have articles written about him?
And that is only 4 generations away from you.
To be fair, I can understand why you feel like Jesus never exisited but you have to understand first of all that Jesus existed 2000 years ago.
Secondly, absence of disagreement speaks louder than words. By this I mean that there were so many claims written and spoken about Jesus, yet no one stood up to say that it was all nonsense then.
I can go around and say that I killed a crocodile and climbed Mount Everest 3 times but there will sure to be people who come up and say that I am a load of crap.
Apart from that, the actions of the disciples speak louder than words too. No one will die for a lie. Yet all the disciples except one (he was banished on the island of Patmos) died horrible deaths because they refuse to deny that Jesus Christ is God. If Jesus did not really rise from the dead, then no one will believe and we will not have Christianity as we know it today.
2006-09-12 07:54:24 · answer #6 · answered by curious 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Dear EarthAngel, I noticed that you persistently asked questions about (or, "persistently questioned") the degree to which the person of Jesus Christ if grounded in human history.
I appreciate that you do this (regardless your motives) because truth is always open to testing and examination.
There are numerous evidence about Jesus existence and actually people have stopped questioning this area of Christianity hundreds of years ago. You can find tons of evidence in the i/net. Nevertheless, I'll content myself to just quote some very brief information that you might find useful. The source is The "Executable Outlines" Series, Mark A. Copeland, 1999. (http://executableoutlines.com/)
I regret I'm not a bible scholar or a historical facts researcher so I could give you a more documented answer. For me, the certainty and authenticity of the person of Jesus and the Bible is that he came into my life, saved me, changed me and set me free. Since then, I have a personal relationship with him and my conviction is based on facts in my own life.
***********************************************************************************
I. WAS THERE EVER ANY QUESTION?
A. THERE HAVE BEEN SCEPTICS WHO BELIEVED JESUS WAS JUST A "MYTH"...
1. This concept was popular with some scholars of the 1800s'
2. It is rarely found today, except among those...
a. Who are ignorant of the facts
b. Who purposely suppress the evidence (e.g., as was done in
formerly communist-dominated countries)
B. TODAY, NO SERIOUS HISTORIAN (EVEN THOSE WHO ARE ATHEISTS) DISPUTES
THE FACT THAT JESUS EXISTED...
1. H. G. WELLS
a. An atheist, he spoke of Jesus in his book, Outline Of
History
b. "...one is obliged to say, 'Here was a man. This part of
the tale could not have been invented.'"
2. WILL DURANT
a. Ex-professor of Philosophy of History at Columbia University
b. He spent two chapters in The Story Of Our Civilization
depicting Jesus as a historical figure right along with the
Caesars
3. ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA
a. Used over 20,000 words to describe Jesus
b. More than Aristotle, Cicero, Alexander, Julius Caesar,
Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, or Napoleon
[So there appears to be sufficient evidence to have convinced these and
others like them that Jesus actually lived.
What is this evidence...?]
II. THE EVIDENCE FOR A HISTORICAL JESUS
A. AMONG "PAGAN" SOURCES...
1. THALLUS (a Samaritan historian, ca. 52 A.D.)r the
darkness which occurred at the crucifixion of Jesus
b. Note carefully:
1) He did not deny the existence of Jesus
2) But only tried to explain away the strange circumstances
surrounding His death
2. LETTER OF MARA-SERAPION (written to his son, ca. 73 A.D.)
a. He tells of the deaths of Socrates, Pythagoras, and of Jesus
b. "What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise
king?...Nor did the wise king die for good; he lived on in
the teaching which he had given."
3. CORNELIUS TACITUS (Roman historian, ca. 112 A.D.)
a. Writes of Jesus in his ANNALS
b. "Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by
Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of
Tiberias."
4. PLINY THE YOUNGER
a. Governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor, ca. 112 A.D.
b. Wrote to the emperor Trajan about Christians and their
devotion to Christ
5. SEUTONIUS (Court official and annalist under Hadrian, 120 A.D.)
a. "As the Jews were making constant disturbance at the
instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome."
b. Luke makes reference to this same expulsion in Ac 18:1-2
B. AMONG "JEWISH" SOURCES...
1. THE TALMUD
a. Consists of two separate books dealing with Jewish law,
written during the period from 100 A.D. to 500 A.D.
b. Speaks frequently of Jesus of Nazareth...
1) In unfriendly terms, of course
2) But never disputing his status as a historical figure
2. FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS
a. A Jewish general turned Roman historian, born 37 A.D.
b. Makes several references to Jesus in his History Of The Jews
c. E.g., "...and brought before it the brother of Jesus, the
so-called Christ, whose name was James."
[Such is the evidence which must be taken into account by any
intelligent and rational person.]
***********************************************************************************
I hope it helps
2006-09-12 08:46:55 · answer #7 · answered by Dimitris-Greece 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bless your heart, you are really trying so hard to debunk Jesus existence aren't you. It would seem to me that you would realize that you are fighting a losing battle. You believe in other written accounts of people who existed and whom you nor anyone else has ever seen and there is no one left alive who can attest to seeing. To believe in Jesus is an act of faith. That is the answer to all the questions you ask. We believe in Jesus because we have faith in him.
I would really like to know exactly why it is so important and all consuming to you to try to prove to others that Jesus never existed.
2006-09-12 07:46:41 · answer #8 · answered by Only hell mama ever raised 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There is absolutely no evidence the followers are all a bunch of gullable mentally ill people. Just look at all mental patients. I have a friend that is mentally unstable and she thought she was god. Any educated person that understands science could not possibly believe the mumbo jumbo of the bible. or the myth of jesus. I don't doubt the possibility that there was some person on earth named jesus and some of the characters may be true but they were def not god. and as for the part of mary being a virgin. she was probably just an adulturer of the time and didnt want to reveal who the father was.
2006-09-12 07:41:12 · answer #9 · answered by nurseme0w 2 · 2⤊ 5⤋
Why is it so hard to believe that jesus as a man existed?
That is entirely plausible.
Wether he had the power that the bible says he has, however, is open to interpretation.
2006-09-12 07:39:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋