Elijah

I get the exercise. I just think it's illogical. Its like having a bunch of pieces of trash that you think bagged up makes something valuable when it's really just a bag of trash.

Toto

You do know that forensic scientists and garbologists (a real word) can derive a lot of valid scientific data from a bag of trash?

If you think that the exercise is illogical, you can just say so, instead of asking questions that continue to miss the point.

Zaphod

Let's get this out on the table.

Elijah is a believer. His evident purpose here is to garner rhetorical proof for his position, not to examine evidence. He has steadfastly refused to read proffered links, and I don't think that he has done basic background readings on the subject.

Elijah, I ask you. What resources on the subject have you read? Please include apologetic websites.

You seem to reject sources, authors, and concepts out of hand, yet you also appear to have no working knowledge of these sources, authors and concepts.

You beg questions to answers that have been provided to you by many generous posters here.

To the more learned here, I would ask that you give Elijah a list of some of the historians of the era and give examples of the minutiae about which they reported.

How many instances of a Christ or Chrestos, for example, were recorded that are deemed NOT to have been Jesus Christ might be impressive enough to young Elijah that he might spend some time reading experts instead of playing Nuclear Rhetorical War.

Elijah

I'm not missing the point. I'm looking for the evidence your point is based on.

But you did completely miss the point of the garbage analogy... I'm sure it was intentional and not that you didn't understand what I was trying to say so I won't try to make it clearer.

Is there truth to this or is this just atheist disinformation?

Toto

By asking that question, you indicate that you continue to miss the point. At this point, I am sure that it is intentional.

Atheists don't lie about this - they don't have to. Why don't you read Josephus and his cast of characters? Read Philo's Contra Flaccus. They are on line.

Don't ask any more uninformed questions here until you do.

Elijah

Don't ask questions. Appreciate your help.

spin

Missed a bit there, Elijah.

Don't ask [any more uninformed] questions [here until you do].

Changes the meaning somewhat, doesn't it?

And this is the last... umm... question you asked:
You are posting to a predominantly atheist forum with aggressively anti-atheist presuppositions. You are never going to look displaying your ignorance here. Read the suggested texts, then ask some more informed questions.


spin

Elijah

All questions I ever ask are uninformed. That's why I'm asking the question!!!

Even if I think I know the answer I realize that lots and lots of times I'm wrong or have incomplete data.

I'm not here to look cool I'm here to learn some stuff about the bible and the history surrounding it. I'm not here to look cool posting little tidbits of information off the net or word definitions, I'm here to learn. It's something people do when they don't think they know everything already.

I see no reason to expect Jesus in the one text I have been recommended by Philo but I will try to write something up latter more informed questioning at to where/why Toto and yourself(?) think he should have been mentioned in there.

eheffa

Elijah,

You have been referred to multiple sources of documentation & have steadfastly refused to read or acknowledge any of them. I believe that the only explanation for this would be that you are not the seeker of understanding that you claim to be but have all the hallmarks of a provocateur or "troll" in web parlance.

Go do some reading. Get informed & then come back with some intelligent questions.

:banghead:

-evan

Elijah

Multiple sources of documentation????

We are down to one. Philo's Against Flaccus for a text that should mention Jesus but doesn't.

The only other one that has been offered is Josephus who has a mention of Jesus so can't really be used here in this argument. Regardless of it's authenticity.

So did I miss something? What other texts should I be reading again?

I'm not a troll, I'm asking basic question regarding the argument from silence and how much silence are we actually talking about here. Throwing up a list of names and going here this proves Jesus didn't exist means nothing without examining the list and the texts they left. Don't you agree???

I don't think I am asking for anything unreasonable. Just answers to some simple questions.