Would Christianity fall like a house of cards if DNA analysis proved that Joseph was Jesus' biological father?

Question

("it couldn't happen" isn't a legitimate answer to a hypothetical question. Look it up!)

Answer 1

If that would happen, the world of christianity would suffer a huge earthquake. A lot of people would become atheists and a lot of other people would only become even more fanatic, and would start to make the most ridiculous claims you ever heard (yes, it's possible!)

Answer 2

Actually, "it couldn't happen" is legitimate if there's sufficient support.

In order to prove this, you would first need to find Yosef (Joseph). The CORRECT one. There are three Josephs in the Bible. In addition, Yosef (the Hebrew name) was (and is) a very common name in Israel, just as "Joseph" is a common name in the Anglicanized world. In order to prove your theory, you must prove beyond any doubt, first, that you have the CORRECT Joseph. And, that in itself would be impossible -- as you would have to trace his lineage back through history to make sure this wasn't just any Joe-come-lately.

Problem #2 -- you'd have to have Yeshua's body on which to perform DNA. Again, you'd have to have the CORRECT Yeshua (or Jesus), and "Yeshua" (also "Yaoshuah", or "Joshua") was likewise a common name in Israel. To modernize your problem: if you want to perform DNA on John Smith, where do you start?

So, the problem is not in "if DNA analysis proved" your theory; rather, the impossibility of proving beyond any doubt whatsoever that you had the correct bodies on which to perform DNA testing to begin with. And, since atheists long before you have searched in vain for the body of Yeshua, then "it couldn't happen" -- because His body has never been found.

Answer 3

Maybe if you proved that both parents were biological, but even then I'd have to be in the lab with the techs and scientists at all times getting a play by play explanation of what they are doing. Otherwise I'd just say Joseph must have been the one who got pregnant. Now that would indeed be a miracle to beat all miracles. Whatever the case may be, Jesus would still be number one in my eyes.

Answer 4

1. Chances are, it wouldn't happen. You're not going to find Joeseph or Jesus' DNA.

2. As was said before, there will always be people who believe that they are right and science must be wrong

3. Religions will all find their own way of explaining it.

4. It could also be true that Jesus was Mary and Joseph's biological son, but Jesus could have been like an instrument of God. (Like Simon, in Simon Birch)

5. It would also probably form some new religions.

Answer 5

Christianity will never fall like a house of cards. Thanks for the 10 points on the other qustion. I was surprised, or shocked rather. You may be the first Atheist that ever gave a fundie a best answer. This may be a good first step towards everlasting life. Now really shock me and come to Christ!!!

Or maybe you just gave it to me so you could throw in the insult. Much more likely. But whatever . Come to Christ!

Answer 6

In fact, many Christians believe this now. As Marcus Borg would say, it is a distinction between the pre-Easter Jesus and the post-Easter Jesus.

Answer 7

How would you go about that. First you need dna from jesus. I'm an atheist ,but where is his body? Where is Joseph's body? How are you going to get dna? Especialy since I believ jesus did not exist.

Answer 8

Yes it would. But that's not going to happen since there is no DNA of Joseph or Mary or any of their proven relatives available.
More important is that Jesus is alive and you'd have to ask Him for a sample of His DNA.

Answer 9

many people 'need' to believe. i'm not saying everyone... but many do. immaculate conception is an important detail, but still just a detail.

i think some people would become skeptical of christianity, but most would shrug it off, point to the miracles, and continue believing. they need it.

Answer 10

Or his lineage through Mary Magdalene.