Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Mobiius · 12-15-2009, 11:50 AM

Several nights ago, I was watching an episode of Bones. In the show, one of the people in the lab stated a couple of times that Jesus was actually born in March.
I did a quick google and of course found many different answers from people who showed no evidence. A few even stated that Jesus was born in August.

I was wondering if anyone had better information on this.
Also, does it actually specifically state in the bible when Jesus was born?

show_no_mercy · 12-15-2009, 11:52 AM

Well in the birth narrative(s), Jesus is born while sheppards are out tending to their sheep at night. They would not be doing this in the winter, but it would be more likely during the spring/summer months.

At least, that's one reason I heard.

There's another (Jewish) tradition that all prophets and holy men are born on the same day that they died. This would place Jesus' birth around the same time period as spring.

Mobiius · 12-15-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by show_no_mercy

Well in the birth narrative(s), Jesus is born while sheppards are out tending to their sheep at night. They would not be doing this in the winter, but it would be more likely during the spring/summer months.

At least, that's one reason I heard.

There's another (Jewish) tradition that all prophets and holy men are born on the same day that they died. This would place Jesus' birth around the same time period as spring.

So.... then would I be correct in assuming the reason for the December 25th date being chosen would be because that's what other pagan religions used for the births of their saviors (example: Mithraism)(dec 25th, easter etc would further be based on astronomical observations), and it was easier to convert people to xianity if certain aspects were more familiar to them?

Deus Ex · 12-15-2009, 01:38 PM

He was born at 12:00 am on 000 AD.

ziffel · 12-15-2009, 01:46 PM

Fantastical Jesus was born in the imagination of some cult member, probably around 70AD or so.

The actual guy he's based on? who the hell knows. There are no records.

ziffel · 12-15-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mobiius

So.... then would I be correct in assuming the reason for the December 25th date being chosen would be because that's what other pagan religions used for the births of their saviors (example: Mithraism)(dec 25th, easter etc would further be based on astronomical observations), and it was easier to convert people to xianity if certain aspects were more familiar to them?

I think that's the general assumption, yes.

It's based on the winter solstice, and there is "death" and then the "sun" is born again and brings life and warmth and good things to the earth.

The whole Jesus myth is pretty pagan, actually.

lintrap · 12-15-2009, 02:07 PM

April 20th, 1985.

EmpiricalGod · 12-15-2009, 06:33 PM

well Mary and Joseph couldn't find accommodation because it was the Christmas season and everything was booked out, hence why i think Jesus was born in December.

lintrap · 12-16-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmpiricalGod

well Mary and Joseph couldn't find accommodation because it was the Christmas season and everything was booked out, hence why i think Jesus was born in December.

:notworthy:

Underseer · 12-16-2009, 02:46 PM

Personally, I'm of the belief that the character in the Bible was based on several people -- real and imagined -- so there should be no one date that could be pointed to.

12-15-2009, 11:50 AM	#1
Mobiius Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 106	When Was Jesus Actually Born? Several nights ago, I was watching an episode of Bones. In the show, one of the people in the lab stated a couple of times that Jesus was actually born in March. I did a quick google and of course found many different answers from people who showed no evidence. A few even stated that Jesus was born in August. I was wondering if anyone had better information on this. Also, does it actually specifically state in the bible when Jesus was born?

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12-15-2009, 11:52 AM	#2
show_no_mercy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dancing Posts: 9,940	Well in the birth narrative(s), Jesus is born while sheppards are out tending to their sheep at night. They would not be doing this in the winter, but it would be more likely during the spring/summer months. At least, that's one reason I heard. There's another (Jewish) tradition that all prophets and holy men are born on the same day that they died. This would place Jesus' birth around the same time period as spring.

12-15-2009, 01:38 PM	#4
Deus Ex Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,348	He was born at 12:00 am on 000 AD.

12-15-2009, 01:46 PM	#5
ziffel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Florida east coast, near Daytona Posts: 4,969	Fantastical Jesus was born in the imagination of some cult member, probably around 70AD or so. The actual guy he's based on? who the hell knows. There are no records.

12-15-2009, 02:07 PM	#7
lintrap Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Vancouver, Wa Posts: 864	April 20th, 1985.

12-15-2009, 06:33 PM	#8
EmpiricalGod Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Milkyway galaxy , earth Posts: 466	well Mary and Joseph couldn't find accommodation because it was the Christmas season and everything was booked out, hence why i think Jesus was born in December.

12-16-2009, 02:46 PM	#10
Underseer Contributor Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 39,172	Personally, I'm of the belief that the character in the Bible was based on several people -- real and imagined -- so there should be no one date that could be pointed to.

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