bacht

Astrology is pseudo-science, useless to modern researchers. The discussions here presume exoteric knowledge, not esoteric.

The mythic Jesus argument is about reading the plain meaning of the texts, not some hidden between-the-lines occult interpretation.

spamandham

I tend to agree, probably not directly though, but rather, indirectly via the '12 tribes' which are ultimately rooted in the zodiac.

Lucis

the number 12 is mentioned so many times in the bible and other myths. it's like the number 7 and 3. 144 is also related to 12 because 12x12=

Lucis

consider the possibility that ancient people believed in astrology and hid its meanings in their stories.

modern astrology may be somewhat nonsensical, but what about the 300,000 year old astrology?

bacht

Yes, the ancients were superstitious and supernaturalist, this was argued over several pages with Elijah. GakuseiDon presented a nice summary of demonology in the early Christian era.

It's no secret that numbers have significance in the Bible: four stands for the compass points, seven relates to the lunar cycle and twelve to the solar, forty years is a human generation, seventy-two years is a human life etc

I'm not interested in esoteric knowledge, except as evidence of ancient beliefs and behaviours. You seem to be suggesting that these mystics knew things we don't. I doubt it, but either way I don't see how it relates to the thread topic.

Malachi151

There is no such thing as 300,000 year old astrology. There isn't even such a thing as 30,000 year old astrology.

jbarntt

Pilate is documented by archaeology, he did exist. If by "James" you mean James the Just, then he is attested to by Josephus and was executed by order of the Sanhedrin in 62 AD. Josephus also records John the Baptist. These recordings of James and John the Baptist by Josephus are not doubted as authentically from the hand of Josephus, a generally reliable source.

I can't comment on the other people you mention.

jbarntt

True, but disciples of a mythical Jesus are not logically dependent on an actual Jesus. The flying spaghetti monster can have disciples even though he doesn't exist.

bacht

Exactly. Then in a generation or two the monster becomes history, and people build institutions to worship it.

aa5874

I hope you realise that the twelve disciples were supposed to be with the myth, that is, they actually saw him, converse with him heard him preach, carry out miracles, saw him transfigure and ascend through the clouds.

Now, if Jesus is deduced to be a myth, then the twelve disciples are also myths.

However, people who only read the Jesus stories and follow the teachings of Jesus can and do exist and may call themselves disciples of Jesus.