The lost tomb of jesus?

[Ronnoco]

It seems to me like some people at the top got a little nervous about the content of this documentary

Which brings up an interesting point. Had this special been about the lost tomb of Julius Cesar and the evidence suggested that history might have recorded his family history incompletely, something tells me the backlash would not have been quite so strong. The fact that Jesus became a religious figure after his death and that the religion which elevated Jesus has such a strong following in this country seems to confound the objectivity of a documentary such as this. People are understandably threatened by any evidence or words which might suggest their religious figure or sacred texts are incomplete, or wrong, or being contradicted by scientific evidence. I think one of the unfortunate results of this special airing is that Discovery, the director, James Cameron, et al were perceived as "attacking Christianity." In fact, they were merely exploring archeology and espousing a radical hypothesis about an historical, and later religious, figure. It seems to me the religious ties of Jesus of Nazareth are going to further complicate any future studies of his life from an historical perspective. His religious followers are going to fear any scientific results which contradict their beliefs and perceive any evidence contradicting their views as "an attack." This persecutory response, coupled with the considerable financial and political weight of their religion, is going to make any further explorations and discoveries like this one compex, burdonsome, and seeming hardly worthy of the challenges involved. Whereas if the historical landscape were leveled and people were not as sensitive to the figure Jesus of Nazareth I would think historical evidence of his existence might be easier to find and hypotheses about his existence easier to formulate, without the fear of religious backlash.

All imo, of course!
Rick

As always, Rick, an interesting, intelligent, and well thought out point of view. Unfortunately that places you in a small and distinct minority. As you point out, it is a very common tendency to "attack", characterize, and negatively contrue the motives and character of anyone presenting even the possiblity of a contrary point of view.

Ronnoco

[walterick]

Well, I personally wouldn't call Christianity a cult. Their intentions are good. Some of the behaviors and attitudes exhibited by Christians over the millenia have been a little "ungodly" as defined by their own terms. But ultimately, in their own minds they are saving humanity from "firey hell" so at least they think they're doing good by everyone. I mean, the words of an Arab who could walk on water and heal the sick would certainly would bear some weight with me! My personal concern is not with Jesus or the Bible, it's with the Chrisitian religion's interpretation of both (but that's a different thread altogether)

And could you say more about "MacArcheology?"

And I agree that Christians should not be worried about this. Those of strong faith will not be affected.

[walterick]

Gee, Ron, you can't relate to that at all, can you?

[mwfanelli]

And could you say more about "MacArcheology?"

Sorry, must be regional. "Mac" as a prefix refers to fast food, as MacDonalds. Cheap, fast, resembling food but not really rising to the level of being food. Sort of like USA Today being called a MacNewspaper. The "archeology" was so flawed and required so many guesses it sounded more like a UFO conference than a real discovery.

[walterick]

More food-for-thought: one of the film's "ossuary experts" releases a paper stating that the inscription on the ossuary previously believed to be that of Mary Magdalen was actually misinterpreted. The film's maker claims several other historians had validated the inscription as saying "Mary the Master." From Discovery online

[schrackman]

And I agree that Christians should not be worried about this.

We're not. ;)

There might be some segments, however, that seem to react hysterically to anything that appears anti-christian. But for the more rational, emotionally secure and those secure in the truth of Christ's resurrection, it's not raising any concerns.