Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 06-10-2005, 01:28 PM

The latest example of tone-deaf literalists trying to make historical sense of the gospel myths:

Did Jesus die of a blood clot?

Quote:

Professor Benjamin Brenner wrote in The Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis that Jesus's death, traditionally believed to have occurred 3-6 hours after crucifixion began, was probably caused by a blood clot that reached his lungs.

. . .

"This fits well with Jesus's condition and actually was in all likelihood the major cause of death by crucifixion," he wrote in the article, based on religious and medical texts.

. . .

He said recent medical research has linked immobility among passengers on lengthy air flights to deep vein thrombosis, popularly known as "economy-class syndrome" in which potentially fatal blood clots can develop, usually in the lower legs.

. . .

Thrombophilia, a rare condition in which blood has an increased tendency to clot, is common to natives of the Galilee, the researcher wrote.

Was Jesus the first victim of DVT?

Brenner - prepublication letter - Did Jesus Christ die of pulmonary embolism?

Quote:

Edwards et al [4] discuss the sudden death of Jesus and suggest a number of potential causes, including coronary thrombosis from thrombotic vegetations found on the aortic or mitral valves. While the medical evidence for this hypothesis is elusive, it is known that the common cause of death in the setting of multiple trauma, immobilization and dehydration is pulmonary embolism.

This fits well with Jesus' condition and actually was in all likelihood the major cause of death by crucifixion. It is stated that in order to expedite the death of crucified victims, the Romans fractured their legs and this resulted in death from asphyxia within minutes, probably due to embolization of thrombi or fat. This procedure was performed to the two thieves but not to Jesus.

It is possible that Jesus' death relatively shortly after crucifixion, could be related to additional risk factors. Jesus was born in Israel to a Jewish family. It is not unlikely that he had inherited a hypercoagulable state, since thrombophilia, particularly factor V Leiden and prothrombin mutation are common in Israel [12], especially in people residing in the Galilee area [13]. Thus, to conclude, the medical aspects strongly suggest that the cause of Jesus' death on the cross at the age of 34 years was indeed venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Clivedurdle · 06-10-2005, 01:55 PM

That was on the front page of the Guardian this week! Got me cross but didn't do anything about it!

penumbra · 06-10-2005, 02:18 PM

Quote:

It is possible that Jesus' death relatively shortly after crucifixion, could be related to additional risk factors. Jesus was born in Israel to a Jewish family. It is not unlikely that he had inherited a hypercoagulable state, since thrombophilia, particularly factor V Leiden and prothrombin mutation are common in Israel [12], especially in people residing in the Galilee area [13]. Thus, to conclude, the medical aspects strongly suggest that the cause of Jesus' death on the cross at the age of 34 years was indeed venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Uh, you mean gawd let his only son inherit a "hypercoagulable state"??? Say it isn't so!!!! :rolling:

freigeister · 06-10-2005, 03:02 PM

I dunno, makes a lot of sense to me. Seems reasonable based on the text. There's nothing supernatural about it. Great thread headline!

Vorkosigan · 06-10-2005, 04:29 PM

Jesus died of insufficient historical evidence.

Crucifiction · 06-10-2005, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vorkosigan

Jesus died of insufficient historical evidence.

:rolling: :notworthy

EssEff · 06-10-2005, 05:45 PM

You'd think he would have died from the donkey ride coming into town. You can't get more economy-class than that without walking!

freigeister · 06-11-2005, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vorkosigan

Jesus died of insufficient historical evidence.

That's just a myth.

Matt the Medic · 06-11-2005, 07:35 AM

Note that the author isn't making any claims to Jesus existing. IF Someone of Jesus's claimed heritage were to suffer the injuries outlined in the NT and be crucified, it would be a blood clot that would give the final blow. Makes perfect sense to me in that in my not-so-anecodotal line of work a lot of trauma patients suffer blood clots.

NearNihil Experience · 06-11-2005, 08:02 AM

Eh...wouldn't simple exhaustion, blood loss and fatigue, maybe even shock and dehydration, be more likely for a crucified individual. It seems this whole premise is based on Jesus "giving up the ghost" more quickly than the average crucified criminal...he didn't even hang there over night. *couwimpgh*

Seems extraneous to concoct some complicated medical explanation of the situation, when a simple medical explanation will suffice. Meh...doctors. :down:

(assuming he was real or substitute any confirmed victim of crucifixition, and that the magical vomiting of the soul voluntarily "it is finished" stuff is bunk....well, that's not a stretch)

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06-10-2005, 01:55 PM	#2
Clivedurdle Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 16,024	That was on the front page of the Guardian this week! Got me cross but didn't do anything about it!

06-10-2005, 03:02 PM	#4
freigeister Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 503	I dunno, makes a lot of sense to me. Seems reasonable based on the text. There's nothing supernatural about it. Great thread headline!

06-10-2005, 04:29 PM	#5
Vorkosigan Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Barrayar Posts: 11,866	Jesus died of insufficient historical evidence.

06-10-2005, 05:45 PM	#7
EssEff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 5,641	You'd think he would have died from the donkey ride coming into town. You can't get more economy-class than that without walking!

06-11-2005, 07:35 AM	#9
Matt the Medic Banned Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 9,584	Note that the author isn't making any claims to Jesus existing. IF Someone of Jesus's claimed heritage were to suffer the injuries outlined in the NT and be crucified, it would be a blood clot that would give the final blow. Makes perfect sense to me in that in my not-so-anecodotal line of work a lot of trauma patients suffer blood clots.

06-11-2005, 08:02 AM	#10
NearNihil Experience Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Up Shit Creek Posts: 1,810	Eh...wouldn't simple exhaustion, blood loss and fatigue, maybe even shock and dehydration, be more likely for a crucified individual. It seems this whole premise is based on Jesus "giving up the ghost" more quickly than the average crucified criminal...he didn't even hang there over night. couwimpgh Seems extraneous to concoct some complicated medical explanation of the situation, when a simple medical explanation will suffice. Meh...doctors. :down: (assuming he was real or substitute any confirmed victim of crucifixition, and that the magical vomiting of the soul voluntarily "it is finished" stuff is bunk....well, that's not a stretch)

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