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Dave Ellis

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had to edit but button not working properly


My reply button is also not working properly.... however I can sum up everything in a fairly short response, so I'll go with that.

Everything you have written again ignores the basic knowledge that the trial scenario is completely unrealistic. We know for a fact the Jews and the Romans never had a tradition of releasing a prisoner on passover. Even if I grant you everything you wrote in your post (which I don't) the scenario is still historically not credible.

Apart from that, I've already addressed most of the arguments you brought up in that reply, and you've merely restated your assertions, so I'm not going to waste time going over that again.

It's just not a believable story, historically it simply does not stand up to scrutiny on a multitude of levels.
 
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stevevw

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My reply button is also not working properly.... however I can sum up everything in a fairly short response, so I'll go with that.

Everything you have written again ignores the basic knowledge that the trial scenario is completely unrealistic. We know for a fact the Jews and the Romans never had a tradition of releasing a prisoner on passover. Even if I grant you everything you wrote in your post (which I don't) the scenario is still historically not credible.

Apart from that, I've already addressed most of the arguments you brought up in that reply, and you've merely restated your assertions, so I'm not going to waste time going over that again.

It's just not a believable story, historically it simply does not stand up to scrutiny on a multitude of levels.
Well then I guess we have to agree to disagree. I find it understandable for what had happened. Jesus was no ordinary person so things would have been out of the norm. He didn't present as the normal person who was defying the Romans and the Jews. He was quite and probably looking Pilate straight in the eyes and saying what you reckon mate. So pilot being a tuff bloke probably didn't know how to take this. Pilate would have been getting off on his power yet here was a man who had popularity but not in the normal way. He had an aura about Him and if Jesus was who he said he was then people would have sensed something that made them a little uneasy. Jesus represented the truth so they would know this and would have felt a little uncomfortable be it some would have covered this up or tried to deny things with false allegations.

Who knows what was in Pilates mind at this unusual situation. With his wife going on about dreams and him seeing this man who seemed different maybe he did think he was innocent. But was caught in a position to keep the peace with the Jews. So he tried to avoid being the one to condemn Jesus. He may have come up with the idea of Barabbas as a way to let the people decide because it was an unusual case. Jesus was not displaying any of the characteristics of someone who was defying Pilate or Rome. Yet he claimed to be a King. But in the end Pilot also knew that this situation could lead to trouble and had to have some sort of compromise. Jesus was eventually charged with treason and thats why He was crowned and a name plaque put on His cross as King of the Jews. But this was something that the Roams did as a way of showing that they were in charge and maybe as a bit of mockery. But unusual cases will have unusual decisions and actions.

If you look at the Kennedy assassination we can see the amount of speculation and conspiracy involved. People are coming up with all sorts of possibilities and unusual possibilities. Yet people can't imagine anything unusual about Jesus' situation. A man who went on to change history. A man who if true was a God who affected people and wasn't your normal rebel. People want to play it so straight with Him and yet will imagine all sorts of other scenarios for other figures in history.
 
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Ana the Ist

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Well then I guess we have to agree to disagree. I find it understandable for what had happened. Jesus was no ordinary person so things would have been out of the norm. He didn't present as the normal person who was defying the Romans and the Jews. He was quite and probably looking Pilate straight in the eyes and saying what you reckon mate. So pilot being a tuff bloke probably didn't know how to take this. Pilate would have been getting off on his power yet here was a man who had popularity but not in the normal way. He had an aura about Him and if Jesus was who he said he was then people would have sensed something that made them a little uneasy. Jesus represented the truth so they would know this and would have felt a little uncomfortable be it some would have covered this up or tried to deny things with false allegations.

Who knows what was in Pilates mind at this unusual situation. With his wife going on about dreams and him seeing this man who seemed different maybe he did think he was innocent. But was caught in a position to keep the peace with the Jews. So he tried to avoid being the one to condemn Jesus. He may have come up with the idea of Barabbas as a way to let the people decide because it was an unusual case. Jesus was not displaying any of the characteristics of someone who was defying Pilate or Rome. Yet he claimed to be a King. But in the end Pilot also knew that this situation could lead to trouble and had to have some sort of compromise. Jesus was eventually charged with treason and thats why He was crowned and a name plaque put on His cross as King of the Jews. But this was something that the Roams did as a way of showing that they were in charge and maybe as a bit of mockery. But unusual cases will have unusual decisions and actions.

If you look at the Kennedy assassination we can see the amount of speculation and conspiracy involved. People are coming up with all sorts of possibilities and unusual possibilities. Yet people can't imagine anything unusual about Jesus' situation. A man who went on to change history. A man who if true was a God who affected people and wasn't your normal rebel. People want to play it so straight with Him and yet will imagine all sorts of other scenarios for other figures in history.

You make it sound as if claiming to be the Jewish messiah was unusual...it wasn't.

If I remember correctly, Jesus is one of about 12 claimants to be the Jewish messiah in about a 400 year period...it was likely there were many many more unrecorded. It's not at all uncommon.
 
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stevevw

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You make it sound as if claiming to be the Jewish messiah was unusual...it wasn't.

If I remember correctly, Jesus is one of about 12 claimants to be the Jewish messiah in about a 400 year period...it was likely there were many many more unrecorded. It's not at all uncommon.
That maybe so but I havnt heard of them. Jesus was the one that is still remember and followed to this day. He is the one that has changed history. I dont mean different and unusual as another prophet. I mean if Jesus was who He said He was then there would have been something about Him. Something in His eyes. It would have been His general looks as the bible says He didn't stand out as anyone different from His outward appearance. But it would have been the way He looked at you and talked.

A verse earlier when they sent some soldiers to arrest Jesus they came back saying they couldn't arrest Him as they were afraid and hadn't heard anyone speak the way Jesus did before. The soldiers that came to arrest Jesus were afraid and they fell back when Jesus began to talk. So He was different had had this affect on people.
John 18:6
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

John 7:46
46 "No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.
Matthew 27:54
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

So we have to consider that these were unusual events where people were moved and reacted differently. I can see how the many Jewish High priests were plotting and trying to get Jesus secretly as thats how they were (hypocrites). I can see Pilate being bothered yet intrigued by this man who was different to other rebels. So I can understand things going the way they did. It is certainly not impossible and is understandable and within the behaviors for how people may have reacted.
 
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Inkfingers

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Philosophy to me is dangerous, because its quite possible it can contradict God and makes us believe in our own understandings which is risky because Satan can munipuliate your perception if you aren't steadfast to God.

If reason contradicts our beliefs, that is cause to re-evaluate them. I find it odd that you don't appear to accept this but then post....

Most important advice is never close your mind, because you will be so easily entangled and trapped in views which may not be truth.

And actually, a secure mind is better than an open one. Don't leave the door wide open. Require that new ideas earn their entry. If you let in something that offends reason, you are open to any and every lie that comes your way.
 
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Dave Ellis

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Well then I guess we have to agree to disagree.

I don't believe in agreeing to disagree personally.

I find it understandable for what had happened. Jesus was no ordinary person so things would have been out of the norm. He didn't present as the normal person who was defying the Romans and the Jews. He was quite and probably looking Pilate straight in the eyes and saying what you reckon mate.

Depending which gospel you read. I believe it's Mark which states he spoke no words during his trial... however John has him openly arguing with, as well as openly mocking and belittling the Romans.

So pilot being a tuff bloke probably didn't know how to take this. Pilate would have been getting off on his power yet here was a man who had popularity but not in the normal way. He had an aura about Him and if Jesus was who he said he was then people would have sensed something that made them a little uneasy.

If he was the miracle working, peaceful and benevolent son of god, why would people be uneasy around him? That makes no sense. You'd think people would be rushing to meet him and hear everything he has to say.

Jesus represented the truth so they would know this and would have felt a little uncomfortable be it some would have covered this up or tried to deny things with false allegations.

That's your own assertion. I'd argue history shows there's nothing true about Jesus or the gospel narratives about him at all.

Who knows what was in Pilates mind at this unusual situation. With his wife going on about dreams and him seeing this man who seemed different maybe he did think he was innocent. But was caught in a position to keep the peace with the Jews. So he tried to avoid being the one to condemn Jesus. He may have come up with the idea of Barabbas as a way to let the people decide because it was an unusual case.

That's also not supported biblically. Nowhere does it state that Pilate came up with the Jesus or Barabbas idea, you're simply making stuff up now.

Jesus was not displaying any of the characteristics of someone who was defying Pilate or Rome.

The Gospel of John disagrees with you.

Yet he claimed to be a King.

In some gospels he did.

But in the end Pilot also knew that this situation could lead to trouble and had to have some sort of compromise. Jesus was eventually charged with treason and thats why He was crowned and a name plaque put on His cross as King of the Jews. But this was something that the Roams did as a way of showing that they were in charge and maybe as a bit of mockery. But unusual cases will have unusual decisions and actions.


Jesus would not have been an unusual case, there are multitudes of false Jewish "messiahs" in history, even during the early first century. This would not have been the first guy they saw that claimed to be king of the Jews.

If you look at the Kennedy assassination we can see the amount of speculation and conspiracy involved. People are coming up with all sorts of possibilities and unusual possibilities. Yet people can't imagine anything unusual about Jesus' situation. A man who went on to change history. A man who if true was a God who affected people and wasn't your normal rebel. People want to play it so straight with Him and yet will imagine all sorts of other scenarios for other figures in history.

The difference is, we have evidence that the Kennedy assassination happened. We don't even have evidence of that for Jesus, nor do we have any solid evidence that he even existed.
 
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stevevw

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I don't believe in agreeing to disagree personally.
fair enough then we wont agree to disagree.

Depending which gospel you read. I believe it's Mark which states he spoke no words during his trial... however John has him openly arguing with, as well as openly mocking and belittling the Romans.
No John doesn't say this. John just elaborates a bit more about what Jesus had said. But it was words along the same lines as to what He had said before to the Jews. That His kingdom was not of this word and if it was then His followers would have saved Him. But His Kingdom was from his Father who was in heaven. Then Pilate asked Him who He was and Jesus said he spoke about the truth and anyone who believed in the truth believed and followed Him. Pilate said what is truth.

Pilate also is described more by John as trying to free Jesus as he could find no wrong. But the High priest were having none of it. They said that Caesar would not be Pilates friend because Jesus said He was King. This must have been the final thing that caused Pilate to give in and wash his hands of the matter. In fact when Pilate had asked the crowd one more time when he presented Jesus after he had him whipped with His robe and crown of thorns look here is your King. The Jewish High priests yelled no you are our King and crucify Jesus. So there was a plot to get Jesus on treason for claiming to be a King and undermine the power of Caesar and Rome.

If he was the miracle working, peaceful and benevolent son of god, why would people be uneasy around him? That makes no sense. You'd think people would be rushing to meet him and hear everything he has to say.
The Roman soldiers who came to arrest Jesus were feeling uneasy. Maybe uneasy is the wrong word. But one lot of soldiers didn't go ahead with arresting Him because they said they had never heard someone speak like Jesus did. So Jesus must have hit a chord with them and it made them feel uneasy about arresting such a man of truth. So maybe it was a hesitance from those who were made to take action against Him because He seemed to be innocent and represent truth. It wasn't like the normal insurrection where the person was defiant and rebelling. This seemed to be the case with others and even with Pilate. There was a hesitation and something that caused them to think twice about this man.

That's your own assertion. I'd argue history shows there's nothing true about Jesus or the gospel narratives about him at all.
There is evidence and just about all scholars state that there was a man named Jesus who was crucified. But there is plenty of internal and external evidence for Jesus and the Christians.
Virtually all scholars who write on the subject accept that Jesus existed,[7][8][9][10] although scholars differ about the beliefs and teachings of Jesus as well as the accuracy of the accounts of his life, and the only two events subject to "almost universal assent" are that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and was crucified by the order of the Roman Prefect Pontius Pilate.[11][12][13][14]
Historical Jesus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That's also not supported biblically. Nowhere does it state that Pilate came up with the Jesus or Barabbas idea, you're simply making stuff up now.

The Gospel of John disagrees with you.
No its in the book of John.
John 38-39.
38Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in Him. 39"But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?"
It goes onto state that the crowd shouted to crucify Jesus and release Barabbas. But it appears Pilate is the one who makes the suggestion as another attempt to get out of crucifying Jesus. Maybe this was unusual as it wasn't normally done with a crucifixion but I can see why Pilate would have tried to suggest it. The case was probably unusual in that the Jews were coming to pilot to do their dirty work so he is then using their custom because of this. Normally it would have been just the Romans decisions because no one else was involved. This case was more complicated.

Jesus would not have been an unusual case, there are multitudes of false Jewish "messiahs" in history, even during the early first century. This would not have been the first guy they saw that claimed to be king of the Jews.
I'm talking about who He was. If He was the Son of God then this would have been something that people would have noticed in one way or another. The bible often states that people were either amazed or, baffled or fearful of Him. Pilate was partly concerned and intrigued I guess. He was trying to get Him released which is unusual for a tuff Governor like him. But there were not many great men like Jesus. This would be on the level of say Heracles or Krishna. Even Gandhi who changed peoples lives and a nation. They aren't your dime a dozen preachers who come along everyday. So yes Jesus was different and would have standout. Afterall He has changed the world and has lasted over 2000 years so He had something going for Him. I dont think all those small fry preachers had that sort of impact. I dont think many died for them.
We don't even have evidence of that for Jesus, nor do we have any solid evidence that he even existed.
Thats another story but like I said there is plenty. It just depends the way you look at it. But there are also 2nd generation disciples who learnt from the originals who also left writings and it went on. So we are having to say that maybe dozens of great men were all made up and what they wrote was all made up. Yet they write from 1st hand perspective and have intimate details that they had to have been there or knew someone who had been there. But that is all another topic which could go on as well.
 
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Dave Ellis

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No John doesn't say this. John just elaborates a bit more about what Jesus had said. But it was words along the same lines as to what He had said before to the Jews. That His kingdom was not of this word and if it was then His followers would have saved Him. But His Kingdom was from his Father who was in heaven. Then Pilate asked Him who He was and Jesus said he spoke about the truth and anyone who believed in the truth believed and followed Him. Pilate said what is truth.

John 18 and 19 has Jesus making direct retorts to Pilate's questions, it even borders on lecturing.

For that matter, it also makes the error that if the Jewish leaders entered Pilate's headquarters it would defile them (that is plainly false for any branch of Judaism), and calls the release of one prisoner a Jewish custom as well, which it also never was.

It also makes the error that the Jews would crucify him, that goes against Jewish law. The Jews would have had him stoned to death as per the scriptures.

Pilate also is described more by John as trying to free Jesus as he could find no wrong. But the High priest were having none of it. They said that Caesar would not be Pilates friend because Jesus said He was King. This must have been the final thing that caused Pilate to give in and wash his hands of the matter. In fact when Pilate had asked the crowd one more time when he presented Jesus after he had him whipped with His robe and crown of thorns look here is your King. The Jewish High priests yelled no you are our King and crucify Jesus. So there was a plot to get Jesus on treason for claiming to be a King and undermine the power of Caesar and Rome.

When you read the gospel narrative, again it comes nowhere close to how Pilate is depicted in legitimate contemporary historical works. For the high priests to attempt to push Pilate around like that would have very likely meant their own deaths.

Whereas if Jesus actually admitted to him that he was King of the Jews, Pilate would not have hesitated to have him executed. He didn't waste time dispatching with potential enemies.

The Roman soldiers who came to arrest Jesus were feeling uneasy. Maybe uneasy is the wrong word. But one lot of soldiers didn't go ahead with arresting Him because they said they had never heard someone speak like Jesus did. So Jesus must have hit a chord with them and it made them feel uneasy about arresting such a man of truth. So maybe it was a hesitance from those who were made to take action against Him because He seemed to be innocent and represent truth. It wasn't like the normal insurrection where the person was defiant and rebelling. This seemed to be the case with others and even with Pilate. There was a hesitation and something that caused them to think twice about this man.

As the story says.... however again, we have no reason to believe the story is true. Given the fact it's rife with errors, it's very likely the story is a work of fiction, and a poorly written one at that.

There is evidence and just about all scholars state that there was a man named Jesus who was crucified. But there is plenty of internal and external evidence for Jesus and the Christians.
Virtually all scholars who write on the subject accept that Jesus existed,[7][8][9][10] although scholars differ about the beliefs and teachings of Jesus as well as the accuracy of the accounts of his life, and the only two events subject to "almost universal assent" are that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and was crucified by the order of the Roman Prefect Pontius Pilate.[11][12][13][14]
Historical Jesus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You've already posted that link, and I've already told you what's wrong with it. Why are you posting it again?

That link is in reference to the field of determining the historicity of Jesus. Basically you're posting that virtually all scholars who believe Jesus exists and want to piece together the details of his life, believe Jesus existed.

It also goes without saying that the vast majority of biblical scholars and biblical historians are Christian, and believe Jesus existed almost by default.

There are a number of fairly high profile scholars who do not share the view that Jesus existed however. Richard Carrier, David M Price, Earl Doherty and David Fitzgerald come to mind off the top of my head, however there are quite a few more out there.

No its in the book of John.
John 38-39.
38Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in Him. 39"But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?"
It goes onto state that the crowd shouted to crucify Jesus and release Barabbas. But it appears Pilate is the one who makes the suggestion as another attempt to get out of crucifying Jesus. Maybe this was unusual as it wasn't normally done with a crucifixion but I can see why Pilate would have tried to suggest it. The case was probably unusual in that the Jews were coming to pilot to do their dirty work so he is then using their custom because of this. Normally it would have been just the Romans decisions because no one else was involved. This case was more complicated.

You said that Pilate came up with the idea of releasing Jesus or Barabbas, I said that's not biblically supported and your response to me actually demonstrates my point.... Pilate says "you have a custom". If the Jews had a custom that a prisoner be released on passover (which isn't actually historically true in any sense), then Pilate didn't invent the idea.

Likewise, Jesus certainly left the impression with Pilate that he was the king of the Jews, something that if it were real history the Romans would not have looked kindly upon.

I'm talking about who He was. If He was the Son of God then this would have been something that people would have noticed in one way or another. The bible often states that people were either amazed or, baffled or fearful of Him.

And it's not at all possible that the bible is wrong or exaggerating the claims?

Pilate was partly concerned and intrigued I guess. He was trying to get Him released which is unusual for a tuff Governor like him.

If Pilate wanted to have him released, he would not have had a problem doing so.

But there were not many great men like Jesus. This would be on the level of say Heracles or Krishna. Even Gandhi who changed peoples lives and a nation.

You are aware Heracles and Krishna are also fictional beings, right?

They aren't your dime a dozen preachers who come along everyday. So yes Jesus was different and would have standout.

Then why didn't he stand out?

Afterall He has changed the world and has lasted over 2000 years so He had something going for Him. I dont think all those small fry preachers had that sort of impact. I dont think many died for them.

No, actually he didn't change the world. People who follow the religion of Christianity certainly have contributed changes to the world, and not many of the changes that can be tied specifically to Christianity have been all that good.

There is also many recorded examples of people dying for their false messiahs, cult leaders or religions throughout history. Just because Christians supposedly died as well doesn't mean their beliefs are true.

Thats another story but like I said there is plenty. It just depends the way you look at it.

Actually, no.... Evidence is not contingent on how you look at it. Evidence is a fact which points towards one specific conclusion.

But there are also 2nd generation disciples who learnt from the originals who also left writings and it went on.

How do you know they learned from the originals? Do you have a citation somewhere? What were the original writings? What did they have to say?

So we are having to say that maybe dozens of great men were all made up and what they wrote was all made up.

No, we are not having to say that.

Yet they write from 1st hand perspective and have intimate details that they had to have been there or knew someone who had been there. But that is all another topic which could go on as well.

None of the gospel writers were first hand eye witnesses, it's also not proper to justify their claims by saying they have intimate details. We have no idea how credible those details are as well.... Star Wars has many intimate details to its story as well, but that doesn't mean it's true or that George Lucas personally met Darth Vader.

Many of the details however are very wrong given what we know about first century culture in that area of the world. Many of the things written we know are not plausible in the least. Furthermore, many more things written about Jesus we can trace back to earlier mythologies that also existed in the area, which again hurts the credibility of the story.

The only "evidence" we have for a historical Jesus is the gospel narratives. Four texts written anonymously by people who weren't there for the event in question, three of which are plagiarized off the book of Mark to varying degrees, which were edited and added to and are full of errors about any variety of topics. The case really is that weak.
 
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Ana the Ist

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That maybe so but I havnt heard of them. Jesus was the one that is still remember and followed to this day. He is the one that has changed history. I dont mean different and unusual as another prophet. I mean if Jesus was who He said He was then there would have been something about Him. Something in His eyes. It would have been His general looks as the bible says He didn't stand out as anyone different from His outward appearance. But it would have been the way He looked at you and talked.

A verse earlier when they sent some soldiers to arrest Jesus they came back saying they couldn't arrest Him as they were afraid and hadn't heard anyone speak the way Jesus did before. The soldiers that came to arrest Jesus were afraid and they fell back when Jesus began to talk. So He was different had had this affect on people.
John 18:6
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

John 7:46
46 "No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared.
Matthew 27:54
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

So we have to consider that these were unusual events where people were moved and reacted differently. I can see how the many Jewish High priests were plotting and trying to get Jesus secretly as thats how they were (hypocrites). I can see Pilate being bothered yet intrigued by this man who was different to other rebels. So I can understand things going the way they did. It is certainly not impossible and is understandable and within the behaviors for how people may have reacted.

I'm not sure what you're point is here. Surely you know the reason christianity survived is because a Roman emperor outlawed all other religions? The empire split in half shortly after...
 
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stevevw

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I'm not sure what you're point is here. Surely you know the reason Christianity survived is because a Roman emperor outlawed all other religions? The empire split in half shortly after...
You make it sound so trivial. From the time Christ had died and rising for varying amounts of times Christians were persecuted and not only survived but grew over a 300 year period. So they not only survived all the persecution and anti Christian sentiment they actually grew even faster because of this.

It had Tertullian, a Christian apologist and former pagan to write to the Roman leaders in A.D. 197, the more Christians were “mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed.” The believers’ refusal to renounce their faith during torment actually caused more Romans to inquire into Christian doctrine. Christian behavior under persecution preached a sermon far more effective than words.
Gordon Robertson: How Christianity Survived in Pagan Rome

It wasn't because the Roman Empire split that Christianity was allowed. It was because it persisted and even the Romans began to look into the belief because of the commitment Christians were showing right to their deaths. The Romans were blaming the Christians for everything. Nero was blaming them for the fire of Rome. They were getting blamed for plagues that had spread throughout the empire killing thousands each day.

The Christians were being lined up and put in front of the Romans statues and told to renounce their faith. If they didn't they were killed. They were covered in animal hides and fed to dogs, they were burnt on stakes like a spit roast that glowed at night, they were nailed to crosses. At times the Romans ordered edict after edict to destroy their scriptures and tear down their places of worship. They were rounded up at othertimes and the leaders were tortured then sacrificed if they didn't renounce. The jails got so full the jailers had to do mass killings to make more room.

So it wasn't just a case of circumstances and luck that went their way. They survived through much persecution to the point where they even grew through that and affected the very empire that tried to wipe it out. From the moment Christ had risen from the dead it had a profound affect on people and the Holy Spirit was at work in peoples lives. Something great had happened and it lasted. It was fresh and near the time of the events of Christ.

Later after all this eventually this dwindled out and people started to lose their faith with the power. They forgot about the original meaning and putting Christ at the center. But there have been times where this has been revived and there will be more times especially towards the end times where this will happen again. The bible talks about the Holy spirit coming on people again and the spirit of God becoming more prevalent once more.
 
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cedric1200

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In my opinion, people have the right to be close-minded. They have the right to be completely committed to their beliefs and religion. But they do not have the right to try to get people to believe what they believe. In fact, I believe it is sin to try to convert people against their will.

I know what my beliefs are and will not consider any other beliefs. I believe there is only one truth; and that's my right. My friend tells me I am close-minded. At first, I argued with her. But you know what she maybe right.

I have heard the term that you should respect people and their beliefs. But my attitude is "no, I am going to respect people regardless of what their beliefs. But I won't respect their beliefs if it's not the truth." Like I said, I will not try to convert people. I believe it's wrong.
 
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Dave Ellis

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In my opinion, people have the right to be close-minded. They have the right to be completely committed to their beliefs and religion. But they do not have the right to try to get people to believe what they believe. In fact, I believe it is sin to try to convert people against their will.

That is your opinion, however it's wrong. People have the right to freedom of speech, and you can openly debate issues of a religious matter.

That being said, I think it's impossible to convert someone against their will. To convert to a religion, you need to accept what that religion is teaching. If converting is going against your will, then you don't accept what the religion is teaching, and you can't actually convert.

The best you can hope to do is to force someone into professing a belief, as what happens in a number of theocratic countries, but that's not the case in a free society.

I know what my beliefs are and will not consider any other beliefs. I believe there is only one truth; and that's my right. My friend tells me I am close-minded. At first, I argued with her. But you know what she maybe right.

She certainly is. Not being open to the idea that you might be wrong is not only closed minded, it's also incredibly intellectually dishonest and arrogant. I can virtually guarantee you that you're wrong about something, and you're only hurting yourself if you don't seek out your false beliefs and work to correct them.

I have heard the term that you should respect people and their beliefs. But my attitude is "no, I am going to respect people regardless of what their beliefs. But I won't respect their beliefs if it's not the truth." Like I said, I will not try to convert people. I believe it's wrong.

There's a distinction. I respect people's right to hold whatever beliefs they want to, however I do not necessarily respect the individual beliefs they have.

For example, the creationist model of reality is silly and ignorant, and I can't seriously give the view any respect at all. It's literally on the same level of credibility as flat earthers, or geocentrists beliefs. But, they certainly have the right to believe in nonsense, and I would oppose any measure taken to remove that right from them.

That doesn't stop me from arguing against that opinion however, in an attempt to talk some sense into people like that. I'm ultimately doing them a favour, and if I had a false belief about something, I'd likewise thank whoever corrected my false belief as well.
 
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cedric1200

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That is your opinion, however it's wrong. People have the right to freedom of speech, and you can openly debate issues of a religious matter.

That being said, I think it's impossible to convert someone against their will. To convert to a religion, you need to accept what that religion is teaching. If converting is going against your will, then you don't accept what the religion is teaching, and you can't actually convert.

The best you can hope to do is to force someone into professing a belief, as what happens in a number of theocratic countries, but that's not the case in a free society.



She certainly is. Not being open to the idea that you might be wrong is not only closed minded, it's also incredibly intellectually dishonest and arrogant. I can virtually guarantee you that you're wrong about something, and you're only hurting yourself if you don't seek out your false beliefs and work to correct them.



There's a distinction. I respect people's right to hold whatever beliefs they want to, however I do not necessarily respect the individual beliefs they have.

For example, the creationist model of reality is silly and ignorant, and I can't seriously give the view any respect at all. It's literally on the same level of credibility as flat earthers, or geocentrists beliefs. But, they certainly have the right to believe in nonsense, and I would oppose any measure taken to remove that right from them.

That doesn't stop me from arguing against that opinion however, in an attempt to talk some sense into people like that. I'm ultimately doing them a favour, and if I had a false belief about something, I'd likewise thank whoever corrected my false belief as well.

OK
 
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Colter

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For the record, Christianity was largely a little known fringe cult until the 3rd century, and didn't really gain a widespread following until the 4th century when the Roman world started to collapse.

That's fairly accurate. Religions aren't invented, they grow up over long periods of time.
 
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stevevw

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John 18 and 19 has Jesus making direct retorts to Pilate's questions, it even borders on lecturing.
[FONT=&quot]I think Jesus was quite measured. If you consider He was more forthright with the Pharisees which still wasn't defiant but just being truthful. That’s all I think He was doing. He certainly didn't come across as defiant and being antagonistic if that’s what you’re trying to insinuate.[/FONT]
For that matter, it also makes the error that if the Jewish leaders entered Pilate's headquarters it would defile them (that is plainly false for any branch of Judaism), and calls the release of one prisoner a Jewish custom as well, which it also never was.
How do you know this. There is support for the Jews practicing ceremony cleaning for all sorts of things. For the Passover this may have been to do with entering a pagan or gentiles house.
ἵνα μὴ μιανθῶσιν, ἀλλʼ ἵνα φάγ. τὸ πάσχα] On the emphatic repetition of the ἵνα, comp. Revelation 9:5; Xen. Mem. i. 2. 48. The entrance into the pagan house, not purified from the corrupt leaven, would have made them levitically impure.
John 18:28 Commentaries: Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.

Though the release of a prisoner by Pilate is not found in historic writings there are examples from other Roman leaders for releasing prisoners even at passover. Josephus mentions the release of prisoners as well as other non bible writings. All the Gospels mention the release of Barabbas. So there is some support.
2. In the Mishnah (Jewish oral tradition, written in around AD 300) it records that “they may slaughter the passover lamb for one….whom they have promised to bring out of prison”. Now its not exactly clear but this certainly records a prisoner being released specifically at Passover.
[FONT=&quot]http://apologeticsuk.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/would-pontius-pilate-have-released.html
[/FONT]
It also makes the error that the Jews would crucify him, that goes against Jewish law. The Jews would have had him stoned to death as per the scriptures.
[FONT=&quot]As far as I see the Jews said to Pilate they couldn’t kill Jesus because under Roman law and it had to be Pilates decision.
John [/FONT][FONT=&quot]18:31[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
When you read the gospel narrative, again it comes nowhere close to how Pilate is depicted in legitimate contemporary historical works. For the high priests to attempt to push Pilate around like that would have very likely meant their own deaths.
[FONT=&quot]I don’t think Pilate is being pushed around. From what I understand the area under rule around the [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Judah[/FONT][FONT=&quot] was a difficult place for a Roman Governor to rule. They had to always appease the Jews as they didn't cooperate with serving the Roman gods and religious ways. They were pretty stubborn in their ways. Even though the Romans got tuff the Jews still stuck to their guns when it came to being allowed to practice their religious traditions. But I just think the Jewish High priests were well known for their own position and had some sway with the Jews and therefore Pilate realized he had to try and appease them as well as keep them from starting an uprising.

I think Pilate himself was in a position where this was an unusual case. Rather than letting the high priest stand over him I think he was the one who was trying to give Jesus a chance to be released. He was also trying to not be seen to have been the one who condemned Jesus.
[/FONT]
Whereas if Jesus actually admitted to him that he was King of the Jews, Pilate would not have hesitated to have him executed. He didn't waste time dispatching with potential enemies.
[FONT=&quot]Like I said I think Jesus was an unusual case and probably an unusual man. It wasn't the normal claim to fame where this King was acting like a earthly King and demanding respect while taking it away from Pilate or Caesar. I reckon he could also see the eagerness of the high priests and their plot to set Jesus up. It wasn't a straight forward accusation and crime. This can be seen by the fact that the Jews had to keep adding extra accusations and appealing to Pilate.

It was only in the end where Pilate decided it was easier to let it ride as it was causing more trouble than it was worth. It was more so the persistence of the Jews as they had their man and were not going to give up. I reckon they weren't stupid and had planned this well and had an answer for everything. The fact that Pilate gives the go ahead but washes his hands of it shows it was more about the persistence of all the powerful Jews in the local community more than anything else that pushed it over the line.
[/FONT]
As the story says.... however again, we have no reason to believe the story is true. Given the fact it's rife with errors, it's very likely the story is a work of fiction, and a poorly written one at that.
That link is in reference to the field of determining the historicity of Jesus. Basically you're posting that virtually all scholars who believe Jesus exists and want to piece together the details of his life, believe Jesus existed.

It also goes without saying that the vast majority of biblical scholars and biblical historians are Christian, and believe Jesus existed almost by default.

There are a number of fairly high profile scholars who do not share the view that Jesus existed however. Richard Carrier, David M Price, Earl Doherty and David Fitzgerald come to mind off the top of my head, however there are quite a few more out there.
[FONT=&quot]I know from what I have researched on Richard Carrier that he makes some fundamental mistakes and assumptions which have been proven wrong.
What Carrier has provided does not give the appearance of a solid case against the existence of Jesus. It gives the appearance of a castle built of shaky inferences that strain to get us away from the plain meaning of the texts.
Jesus Did Exist: A Response to Richard Carrier | Strange Notions
But from what I read in the link I attached from wikipedia was that all historians agreed that Jesus was real. To me that meant all not just believers. It seems crazy that you could say it was all made up. The bible itself has been proven with archeology. The small detail of places and items and people mentioned that others though were false because no other discoveries had been found have later been found and shown the bible was right. The writers themselves are speaking in the 1st person.

There are certain criteria that is used to verify the way something is written if it was falsified and it has been shown that the bible writing mostly concur with genuine writings from people that would have had to have been there and knew something of these events. this doesn't mean that some parts maybe wrong but this maybe more to do with personal views of details that people thought were right the way they seen it. It doesn't change the main part of the events.
Here are some more support for Historical Jesus.
Is There Any Evidence for Jesus Outside the Bible? | Cold Case Christianity
Here is an atheists view.
An Atheist Historian Examines the Evidence for Jesus (Part 2 of 2) | Strange Notions[/FONT]
 
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Smidlee

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For the record, Christianity was largely a little known fringe cult until the 3rd century, and didn't really gain a widespread following until the 4th century when the Roman world started to collapse.
The freedom of religion was establish in the states for the very reason the church grew better before it got involved with the Roman government. Roman Empire couldn't beat the church so it decided to join the church.
 
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Jeremy E Walker

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Colossians 2:8 ESV / 251 helpful votes

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Philosophy to me is dangerous, because its quite possible it can contradict God and makes us believe in our own understandings which is risky because Satan can munipuliate your perception if you aren't steadfast to God.

Most important advice is never close your mind, because you will be so easily entangled and trapped in views which may not be truth.
If you remain in faith to Jesus he can keep your mind open and feed you so you don't become weary. :priest:

Amen my friend. Amen.
 
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stevevw

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For the record, Christianity was largely a little known fringe cult until the 3rd century, and didn't really gain a widespread following until the 4th century when the Roman world started to collapse.
yeah and from what Ive read thats when it went wrong. It seems before that it still spread and despite persecution it managed to grow throughout the Roman empire. In fact the persecution is what made it stronger. But I believe from the time Jesus rose from the dead this is where the church stood up and actually walked in the faith. Something happened and cause them to stand on the words of Jesus and go to the point of death. Before that Jesus was preaching for three years and healing. The word got around but many thought He was a earthly King who was going to lead the Jews against the Romans and establish their own empire on earth.

But after Jesus was crucified I think the penny began to drop what Christ was talking about. Certainly those close to Him knew and this is what spurred on the movement beyond earthly beliefs to a divine belief. People then remembered what Jesus had said and the true meaning rang home in the light of His death and resurrection. This is when the Holy spirit went to work and many turned to God. But after a few hundred years mans ways have got in the way and it started to become a religion of men. When it got mixed with ruling the people with politics it became a power trip and God was taken out of the picture.
But we will see a resurgence back to how it was in the early days when the Holy spirit will be poured out into the world toward the end times.
 
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