Amos

If Jesus existed the Magi must have existed as well. If Jesus was a name given to a mythical character the Magi better not have existed as real people or they would have never found Jesus.

In my view they came from Eden which is the place we left behind when we first began our journey out West. Their arrival signifies that illumination took place and the gifts they brought were a new faith, hope and charity that replaced our abandonned search for power wealth and beauty.

I think Pasternak held that the star they followed was a glimmer of hope that had been induced when we were baptized and our baptism candle is given to show them the way.

Vorkosigan

<CAMERA PAN> The smoking battlefield of BC&A, littered with dead bodies and body parts, craters, blood, pieces of machinery. The cries of the wounded echo between leafless trees. FOREGROUND: a grizzled MEDIC and his young, ashen-faced ASSISTANT hurriedly examine the bodies for the still breathing....>

MEDIC: <glancing down> This one's hit bad. Looks like this thread's had it, son.
ASSISTANT: What is it?
MEDIC: <rubs chin> Looks like an Advanced MultiConcept Overwrought Syncretist blew up nearby. Survivability in that case is usually low. The damage is limited in extent, but pretty deep and usually a vital part takes a hit. Look, you can see this one got it in right in the gut. Not much chance of making through that.....
ASSISTANT: Well, can I give it some morphine?
MEDIC: Forget it. It's gone. C'mon! Let's go! We still might be able to save that one over there.....

<CAMERA pans away. The shelling continues. The dying scream, and the living run for cover>

Haran

Would Christians have invented people who did not exist in reality?

I don't know, but Vork did a good job with the Medic and his Assistant.

Maybe I'll give it a go too...

Haran

{The BC&A Bunch in a pick-up game after school lets out...}

RED TEAM: Hey! You can't make points that way!
BLUE TEAM: If you can make points like you did, we can make points like we did!

RED TEAM: Whatever! You just don't know to play by the rules!
BLUE TEAM: Oh yeah! Like you know the rules!

RED TEAM: Oh well, at least we're winning!
BLUE TEAM: Oh no you're not! We're winning!

RED TEAM: Nuh uh.....
BLUE TEAM: Uh huh....

RED TEAM: Nuh uh....
BLUE TEAM: Uh huh...

RED TEAM: Grrrrr.... I hate you!
BLUE TEAM: Fine! I hate you too!

---{Later}---

RED TEAM: Wanna play again tomorrow?
BLUE TEAM: Ok...

Haran

What a shame...

We've been reduced to parables...

Steven Carr

But my favourite team, Newcastle United, play in black and white stripes. That means we get to make the rules :-)

Celsus

ARBITRATOR: Let's get this thread back on topic, or it will be moved to ~Elsewhere~.

Chief Wet Blanket