alanjjohnstone
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Before these exchanges become as Matt has cautioned too acrimonious, let me re-avow the position.
With the passage of time it has become near impossible to either affirm or deny the physical existence of a preacher called Jesus the Christ. Nor is it particularly relevant to our understanding the rise and dominance of Christianity.
Josephus is credited with being a dependable source of events for the region. Knowing this, Christian apologists have tampered with its religious references to make it appear that he confirms Jesus the Christ’s historicity. There is an on-going debate on the extent of this. The details of which can be read here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus_on_Jesus
Josephus acknowledgement of John the Baptist is not believed to be one of those forged interpolations according to the consensus of reliable scholars.
I’m unable to comment on Jesus Bar Domneus, other than the Wiki entry here
A shameful decision to keep Julian Assange in prison while the court awaits the USA appeal against the judgement.
I have read the mention of Jesus the Christ and his brother James in Josephus and why they do not stand up to close scrutiny.
This is his reference to John the Baptist.
Now, some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod’s army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist; for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness. Now, when [many] others came in crowds about him, for they were greatly moved [or pleased] by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise), thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it should be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod’s suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death. Now the Jews had an opinion that the destruction of this army was sent as a punishment upon Herod, and a mark of God’s displeasure against him.The authenticity of Josephus on John has never been doubted or so i thought. The strongest argument for their authenticity is that they are not connected to Christian interpretations. If a Christian scribe would have inserted a story on John, he would have retold the stories found in the gospels of Mark and Luke. Perhaps you can refer me to a reliable authority that challenges the veracity of the story.
The idea whether there was a historical figure of Jesus the Christ or whether he is mere myth is a topic of debate among the scholars. I have already said which i find myself sympathetic to.
The primitive Christians that I am talking about came out from Rome, and It was an anti-slavery movement,
I have read that the idea Christianity was the religion of the slaves was very simplistic. Nothing in scripture condemns slavery. Church institutions became the biggest slave-owners. Many slave collars have been found inscribed with the cross. It is a widely accepted myth that Christianity was the religion of slaves. Not so.
https://www.badnewsaboutchristianity.com/gaa_slavery.htm#early
Early converts were usually well-off and comfortable members of the city elite. After all, the the Latin origin of the word pagan means country-dweller and heathen too denotes a peasant, a heath-dweller. The poor remained faithful to the old ways. (reminds me of the Wicker Man)
Often early converts were wealthy widows who donated generously to the early churches as they were incorporated more fully into Christian communities than non-Christian ones and despite the patriarchy could achieve higher status.
UK V. Ireland fishing rights at Rockall begins
I think we should be aware that there were very many Christian religions.
I recall reading somewhere that Marco Polo simply followed the trail of Nestorian monasteries to Cathay. Today in Kerala you are reminded of the Catholic Syrian religion when you see the ATMs of the bank with the same name who brought the legend of Thomas to India.
Then there is the Armenian church, perhaps the earliest, which has authority over much of Jerusalem Christian sites.
We then have all the Christian heresies to consider such as Arianism, Marcionites, too many to mention. Heresies continued to occur throughout the history of Christiandom, some taking on the garb of communistic politics.
Why did they all arise and why did interpretations diverse is mighty complex and i have no doubt that the MCH is a valuable tool in determining that.
An article presenting a differing perspective of the climate refugee problem, suggesting more conservative numbers of future migrants and the difficulty in estimating projections
Fan-Power?
“Welcome to the first World Cup final of the socialist era, where the team formerly known as England take on the team formerly known as Brazil…”
In my youth, there were regular international matches …The Scottish League v. the English League. Actual, nationality of the players were irrelevant. With the crowded schedule that players have now, these purely prestige friendly games fell out of favour.
In future, we may well have matches to determine the Premier League or the Bundesliga or Series A or La Liga provides the better football. Sadly, i predict the Scottish League, will still be ranked low.
The US are claiming legal victory and are expected to appeal.
What is so hypocritical is that Julian Assange had been refused bail by this same judge when he had requested it on ill-health grounds.
When the appeal comes it may well simply be a contest on who has the better prison system.
How else can the verdict be seen as a face-saving cop-out by the HM Government.
Have you read this re-post of mine on my personal blog
https://mailstrom.blogspot.com/2007/06/anarchist-football.html
Extracts from the Anarchist Football Manual by the AAP Collective
BTW, some trivia, Back in the 70s, Edinburgh Branch ran a Sunday League football side called ‘Capital’, a clever play on words.
Not according to the optimists.
“Nick Nelson at UBS was among the braver UK analysts to actually put a number on what will happen in 2021: he said the FTSE 100 would end the year at 7200 points, roughly a 10% gain compared to the 6460 mark at the end of 2020.
In the US some investors are more bullish: Goldman Sachs predicted the S&P 500, the US benchmark, would end the year near 4300 points, an increase of about 15%, even if a clutch of other Wall Street investment banks think 3900 is a more realistic target.”
Pot calling the kettle black come to mind with the focus on this article
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55362461
“Activists say numerous governments across Asia used the cloak of coronavirus to implement laws, carry out arrests, or push through controversial schemes which otherwise would have sparked a backlash, both at home and abroad.”
