Freethought & Rationalism Archive

NewKid3 · 04-10-2008, 07:37 PM

How many people simply deny that Jesus ever even existed.

If you do please explain why you do.

If you don't then cool.

(I had more related questions but I forgot them...so look back for an edit sometime soon)

Jeremy D · 04-10-2008, 07:58 PM

Agnosticism is not an option when it comes to the existence of god. However, it's perfectly fine in the case of Jesus. My opinion is that he probably did not exist as he was written about in the Bible, and he was probably a compilation of several people, AND most of the things he is said to have done were probably fabricated, BUT as fun as it would be to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Jesus could not have existed, it is irrelevant to the beliefs that atheists challenge.

It's always about the content of the message, not the messenger.

RareBird · 04-10-2008, 08:00 PM

I don't believe in believing. It doesn't matter if Jesus existed--his legend is as effective.

Splarnst · 04-10-2008, 08:09 PM

I would like to vote "I don't know, but it doesn't really matter to me."

sdelsolray · 04-10-2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy D

Agnosticism is not an option when it comes to the existence of god.

??? It certainly is an option. Stating that one doesn't know is always a viable option, particularly when the statement is true.

Amaleq13 · 04-10-2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy D

Agnosticism is not an option when it comes to the existence of god.

According to the definition of agnostic, that is simply false.

There is nothing inherently illogical or irrational about being agnostic with regards to the existence of any god.

apatura_iris · 04-10-2008, 08:13 PM

IMO, "he" existed, but I think he might be an amalgamation of a few 1rst century rabbis, and possibly a near total distortion from who and what he actually was.

Jeremy D · 04-10-2008, 08:31 PM

I meant that in the way Orwell, for example, believed that it didn't make sense for someone to be an agnostic. I think the category is going to shrink the same way that deism has shrunk. It will become so much easier for people to deny the existence of a deity and be done with it in the coming years that fewer and fewer people will opt to label themselves agnostic.

04-10-2008, 08:47 PM

Greetings,

Why did you put "atheist" in the title?
Did you think only atheists opine Jesus never existed?

Well,
I am not an atheist - I believe in God,
but
I do not think Jesus ever existed.

Because :
* there is no contemporary evidence,
* early layers of NT have no HJ
* the Gospels originated the story
* but they are late anonymous preaching
in short.

And - why do you say "deny"?

Do you deny the Invisible Pink Unicorn exists?
Yes or no?

Iasion

spin · 04-10-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iasion

And - why do you say "deny"?

Do you deny the Invisible Pink Unicorn exists?
Yes or no?

Would you leave off telling everyone about my Invisible Pink Unicorn already? Sheesh, I shoulda made you sign a non-disclosure agreement.

pnsi

View Poll Results: Did Jesus exist?
Yes	24	30.38%
No	55	69.62%
Voters: 79. You may not vote on this poll

04-10-2008, 07:37 PM	#1
NewKid3 Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Near Washington D.C. Posts: 224	How many atheists beleive that Jesus wasn't an actual Person? How many people simply deny that Jesus ever even existed. If you do please explain why you do. If you don't then cool. (I had more related questions but I forgot them...so look back for an edit sometime soon)

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04-10-2008, 07:58 PM	#2
Jeremy D Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Beast Coast Posts: 217	Agnosticism is not an option when it comes to the existence of god. However, it's perfectly fine in the case of Jesus. My opinion is that he probably did not exist as he was written about in the Bible, and he was probably a compilation of several people, AND most of the things he is said to have done were probably fabricated, BUT as fun as it would be to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Jesus could not have existed, it is irrelevant to the beliefs that atheists challenge. It's always about the content of the message, not the messenger.

04-10-2008, 08:00 PM	#3
RareBird Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 4,607	I don't believe in believing. It doesn't matter if Jesus existed--his legend is as effective.

04-10-2008, 08:09 PM	#4
Splarnst Contributor Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 13,161	I would like to vote "I don't know, but it doesn't really matter to me."

04-10-2008, 08:13 PM	#7
apatura_iris Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Staten Island Posts: 1,906	IMO, "he" existed, but I think he might be an amalgamation of a few 1rst century rabbis, and possibly a near total distortion from who and what he actually was.

04-10-2008, 08:31 PM	#8
Jeremy D Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Beast Coast Posts: 217	I meant that in the way Orwell, for example, believed that it didn't make sense for someone to be an agnostic. I think the category is going to shrink the same way that deism has shrunk. It will become so much easier for people to deny the existence of a deity and be done with it in the coming years that fewer and fewer people will opt to label themselves agnostic.

04-10-2008, 08:47 PM	#9
Iasion Guest Posts: n/a	Greetings, Why did you put "atheist" in the title? Did you think only atheists opine Jesus never existed? Well, I am not an atheist - I believe in God, but I do not think Jesus ever existed. Because : * there is no contemporary evidence, * early layers of NT have no HJ * the Gospels originated the story * but they are late anonymous preaching in short. And - why do you say "deny"? Do you deny the Invisible Pink Unicorn exists? Yes or no? Iasion

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