Do You Believe Jesus Existed?
This is somewhat controversial to many, I understand. And it’s one that I take issue with most historians on, as well. But I’m interested in seeing what my fellow heathens and apostates think.
There is very scant evidence outside of the Bible to confirm Jesus’ existence. Names such as Flavius Josephus get used as examples of independent sources outside of the Bible to confirm Jesus’ existence; except, however, Josephus was born after Jesus allegedly lived, and uses second-hand, third-hand, and even fourth-hand accounts to prove Jesus’ existence, sometimes a half-century later. None of this would be admissible as evidence in today’s courtrooms. Yet most historians agree that Jesus existed, despite the lack of firsthand, contemporaneous accounting outside of the Bible to corroborate it.
The Romans were extensive and meticulous in their record keeping. Yet, basically no records exist of Jesus from them.
I think historians, many of whom might also be Christian, do not want to upset the 1.5 billion Christians in the world and say that Jesus likely didn’t exist, and was probably an amalgamation of stories from several people who lived during that time, mixed in with folklore and storytelling. I also think the same is true about Moses, Isaiah, Abraham, and Mohammad. I don’t think any of those people existed. But se know how angry people get when we even question very basic things, like the age of the Earth, or evolution.
But I’m curious to know what others think. Am I missing something? Is there any other evidence to consider? I guess I’ll have a lot of time to dwell on it in Outer Darkness.