Baloo

First, let me say that this theory is original to myself; to my knowledge, I've never come across it in the past. However, if anyone is aware of others who have posited this, please let me know.

Basically, on page 6 of A_F's "Why I'm a Christian" thread, I gave a brief parable whereby 3 fictional characters, George, Phil, and Larry, "die for a lie" in much the way Christian vehemently claim the disciples of Christ could not have rationally done. The intent was to refute the notion that the tales of martyrism of the early church leaders, if true, make a convincing case for the truth of Jesus' message. In the story, all 3 fictional characters decide to stick to their stories and be executed, rather than live their lives as admitted dispicable liars.

For the Judas theory, consider a 4th person in the group: Jay. Jay was with G,L, and P, and even played along with the their gambit when it was "all in good fun." But he got more and more uneasy as the lies became more and more rampant. He began dropping out of the public eye as much as possible - and into the eye of the government. Realizing that he could be the "pin" to pop the balloon of the UFO movement, the government coerced Jay, with promises of fortune freedom, and fame, to come clean to government officials. Finally, no longer able to live with the lies, and in lieu of the small fortune promised him by the government, Jay caved, and told all. At the trial of the other three, he testified as to the true story. The other three, for reasons already cited, stuck to their stories, labeling Jay as an untrustworthy betrayer, lying for government money. Sure enough, the three were executed for "crimes against the state". And Jay, now viewed by the masses as a two-faced liar who sold out his friends, now no longer of any use to the government, found himself completely ostracized, paid by the government a small fraction of what he was promised, and utterly alone. Perhaps not surprisingly, this existence was so forlone that Jay ultimately ended it himself, by hanging himself.

This causes me to wonder: was Judas' betrayal merely "telling the officials where Jesus could be found"? Hardly seems to make sense; one doesn't feel that Jesus was in hiding. Could it be that his betrayal was actually a revelation to officials the methods and techniques used by Jesus and his followers to trick and deceive the masses - a crime for which Jesus was ultimately executed (an execution supported by the people who heard Judas' story, and were appalled at being lied to).

Perhaps, follwing Jesus' death the remaining disciples were left with a choice: follow in Judas' footsteps by "coming clean", or live out the rest of their lives as heroes to the ignorant masses, continuing to tell of Jesus' "miracles", inflating the feeding of 50 to the feeding of 5,000, telling of earthquakes and darkness that accompanied Jesus' crucifiction, and adding one final tidbit: finding an empty tomb (that nobody had actually even gone to investigate in the first place).

Anyway, this theory is really just thought candy - anyone who wishes to criticize, discuss, improve upon, or use it for their own ends is more than free to.

[ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: Baloo ]</p>

Amos

Yes it was and led to the crucifixion of Jesus which was the best thing that ever could have happened to Jesus the Jew. It's a comedy, surely, you must remember.

Jude was the inner determination of faith in Jesus the Jew who soon was after this was silenced (because there is no other way to annihilate him).

[ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: Amos ]</p>