Freethought & Rationalism Archive

No Robots · 08-31-2009, 09:57 AM

Here's a scoop: it's still uncertain, but it's possible the Jesus Project may be canceled due to lack of funding and administrative disagreements among its organizers. It won't be clear until the end of 2010. Its 2009 conference has already been postponed to 2010, and if that conference doesn't happen even in 2010, I expect it will be as good as dead.--Richard Carrier

Toto · 08-31-2009, 10:17 AM

Unfortunately, the economic recession has hit nonprofit organizations hard, and everything depends on funding.

From the next page of that interview:

Quote:

BD: In regards to the Jesus Project potentially being canceled, that's quite unfortunate. Is there anything interested parties can do to promote its continuation?

RC: You should contact CSER and CFI and ask that question, or just write to them with fervent support for the JP and its aims and value. I imagine that would have an impact if many people sent such letters.

I think it would have an even bigger impact if those letters included checks.

http://www.centerforinquiry.net/jesusproject

Quote:

You are encouraged to support the Project. Contribute to the blogs and discussions. Come to our meetings. Ask questions of our scholars. Beyond this, no Project of this sort is self-sustaining; if you are able, please also support us with a donation or bequest by writing to:

Cheryl Cantania
The Jesus Project
Center for Inquiry
3965 Rensch Road
Amherst, NY 14228

In the spirit of free inquiry,

R. Joseph Hoffmann
Chair, CSER and co-Chair, the Jesus Project

---

©2009 Center for Inquiry
P.O. Box 741, Amherst, NY 14226
info@centerforinquiry.net

Toto · 08-31-2009, 12:11 PM

The Jesus Seminar has had its own financial issues. It is now housed at free space at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.

Local news story

Quote:

This fall the Westar Institute, Polebridge Press and Willamette University will partner in a relationship that promises to be advantageous to all parties. Willamette has long aspired to a university press; Polebridge and Westar were looking for a new home; Westar’s mission is consistent with that of Willamette’s new Center for Ancient Studies and Archaeology, which will house the institute; and McGaughy has offered to oversee the collaboration.

The press will continue to publish scholarly theological books, but will also publish academic books from Willamette scholars, as well as books by noted authors from around the world.

“There are a lot of pieces to this puzzle,” McGaughy said, “and they’ve all come together quickly and beautifully. It was the perfect timing for this to occur.”

The professor emeritus of religious studies said Willamette plans to gather a strong cluster of people interested in New Testament scholarship and the origins of Christianity. “In a sense,” McGaughy said, “Willamette has reclaimed a part of its theological heritage with these developments.”

Christian Century

Quote:

The Jesus Seminar was ridiculed by detractors, but as its research lost its novelty it faded from the news. Funk died in September 2005, and because he took no salary as Westar executive director, it was not evident that the nonprofit group could carry on. "Many people predicted its demise," said Andrew Scrimgeour, the dean of libraries at Drew University and new chair of the Westar board of directors.

However, the outgoing board chair, Lane C. McGaughy, this year engineered a major money-saving relocation to the private Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, across from the state capitol. A longtime professor there, McGaughy convinced university president Lee Pelton, already a supporter of the Jesus Seminar, that the academic group and its Polebridge Press would fill the university's desire for an additional research center and an expandable university press.

"Westar was never on the verge of closing shop," McGaughy said. A core of Jesus Seminar fellows and lay associates "decided that Westar is an important voice for disseminating the results of serious scholarship on the Bible to the literate public." Its leaders had the respect of many biblical scholars not associated with theologically conservative schools.

Unbelieving Jesus Seminar revived

Quote:

The Jesus Seminar, which claims that only a small part of the four Gospels contain authentic sayings of Jesus, has been revitalized in recent days. After the death of founder Robert Funk in 2005, the organization nearly went out of business. Now it is moving to Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and is receiving an influx of money to carry on its Satanic work of destroying people’s faith in God’s Word.

Through the Jesus Seminar, the hiss of the slithering serpent can still be heard asking, “Hath God said?” . . .

wordy · 08-31-2009, 02:03 PM

Maybe I am just jealous? Envy? but would not the money and time and effort be better spent if they set up a seminar to give evidence for that religion is a byproduct of evolution.

Jesus is more like Elvis. No true Elvis fan would allow themselves to lose faith in their big Rock'n Roll Hero?

Ok I have only myself to go to but I still have not read the book or googled to get a quote from the author writer who revealed "truth" about Buddy Holly that was kind of embarrassing to read for those who loved him.

I've seen movies about Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan and I think all of these movies took away my innocent "idolization" of them and that change how I see their music.

Yes my own fault that I am so vulnerable to criticism, could be my Asperger making hard to let go of rude remarks on their personalities and actions.

so based on my totally, absolute atheistic "faith" in Buddy Holly and the other singers many I have not mention at all here I find it very likely that any truth about "Jesus" only being myth would change a Iota of faith in Jesus.

To the believer Jesus is alive here and now and the evidence is as personal experience as the one we allow atheists being Buddhists to claim as their evidence for Buddhist meditation to be good for them.

the money, time and effort spent on jesus seminar would be better spent on research on how evolution as a byproduct made some of us humans vulnerable to see patterns of agents in random events and to look for consoling father and mother figures in authoritative claims from old traditions.

Steven Avery · 08-31-2009, 02:07 PM

Thanks Toto, for keeping us up to date on the David Cloud newsletter !

Toto · 08-31-2009, 02:10 PM

I thought that last link was hilarious. Religious believers are a never ending source of entertainment.

Newfie · 08-31-2009, 03:12 PM

Funny none of them made a comment about Salem, Oregon being the location of those witch trials and thus the historical haven for all things satanic.

Toto · 08-31-2009, 03:16 PM

That's cause there were no witch trials in Salem OREGON - that was Salem Mass. (or were you trying to mock David Cloud? :Cheeky: )

Steven Avery · 08-31-2009, 04:16 PM

Hi Folks,

A couple of years back he had a tent-meeting set up around here and I met David Cloud and talked to him for a bit. He has a very good library on textual articles on the Net.

Shalom,
Steven Avery

Newfie · 09-01-2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Quote:

Funny none of them made a comment about Salem, Oregon being the location of those witch trials and thus the historical haven for all things satanic.

That's cause there were no witch trials in Salem OREGON - that was Salem Mass. (or were you trying to mock David Cloud? :Cheeky: )

Note the italics that I added to the word Oregon, above.

I don't know much about David Cloud. The only thing I did read about him is that some folks criticize him for apparently preaching that someone has to commit to not sinning before accepting Christ as their personal savior. Imagine if he gathers a large following with that theology? What kind of Christians would these people be? Non-hypocrites, perhaps?

08-31-2009, 09:57 AM	#1
No Robots Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Edmonton Posts: 5,679	Jesus Project crashes on take-off? Here's a scoop: it's still uncertain, but it's possible the Jesus Project may be canceled due to lack of funding and administrative disagreements among its organizers. It won't be clear until the end of 2010. Its 2009 conference has already been postponed to 2010, and if that conference doesn't happen even in 2010, I expect it will be as good as dead.--Richard Carrier

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08-31-2009, 02:03 PM	#4
wordy Contributor Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Sweden, Europe Posts: 12,091	Maybe I am just jealous? Envy? but would not the money and time and effort be better spent if they set up a seminar to give evidence for that religion is a byproduct of evolution. Jesus is more like Elvis. No true Elvis fan would allow themselves to lose faith in their big Rock'n Roll Hero? Ok I have only myself to go to but I still have not read the book or googled to get a quote from the author writer who revealed "truth" about Buddy Holly that was kind of embarrassing to read for those who loved him. I've seen movies about Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan and I think all of these movies took away my innocent "idolization" of them and that change how I see their music. Yes my own fault that I am so vulnerable to criticism, could be my Asperger making hard to let go of rude remarks on their personalities and actions. so based on my totally, absolute atheistic "faith" in Buddy Holly and the other singers many I have not mention at all here I find it very likely that any truth about "Jesus" only being myth would change a Iota of faith in Jesus. To the believer Jesus is alive here and now and the evidence is as personal experience as the one we allow atheists being Buddhists to claim as their evidence for Buddhist meditation to be good for them. the money, time and effort spent on jesus seminar would be better spent on research on how evolution as a byproduct made some of us humans vulnerable to see patterns of agents in random events and to look for consoling father and mother figures in authoritative claims from old traditions.

08-31-2009, 02:07 PM	#5
Steven Avery Banned Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 2,293	Thanks Toto, for keeping us up to date on the David Cloud newsletter !

08-31-2009, 02:10 PM	#6
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	I thought that last link was hilarious. Religious believers are a never ending source of entertainment.

08-31-2009, 03:12 PM	#7
Newfie Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 2,457	Funny none of them made a comment about Salem, Oregon being the location of those witch trials and thus the historical haven for all things satanic.

08-31-2009, 03:16 PM	#8
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	That's cause there were no witch trials in Salem OREGON - that was Salem Mass. (or were you trying to mock David Cloud? :Cheeky: )

08-31-2009, 04:16 PM	#9
Steven Avery Banned Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 2,293	Hi Folks, A couple of years back he had a tent-meeting set up around here and I met David Cloud and talked to him for a bit. He has a very good library on textual articles on the Net. Shalom, Steven Avery

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