Did Constantine's mother Helena really find the true cross of the crucifixion??
358794
Just my opinion ... At about the same time Constantine was grooming Christianity as the new state religion his mother found LOTS of things (sacred artifacts and relics) pertaining to the new faith, including but not limited to just the cross. Bluntly ... That seems very convenient to me. So ... No, I don't think so. Either history got re-written or someone played a good scam.
437366
It was Constantine. \n\n"Constantine is perhaps best known for being the first Roman Emperor to freely allow Christianity." (wikipedia)\n\nIncidentally, he let his mom (Helena Augusta) go around and pick out all the holy sites.
654116
Basically saying that Jesus was married and had a child with Mary Magdalene...that's the big "secret."  In the end, it would mean that there are living descendents of Jesus Christ alive today.  That's the secret that they were trying to protect.  And they say that the Holy Grail is not a cup...but rather it is the tomb of Mary Magdalene herself.
1177672
He....   darn it.  I thought I had the recipe sitting here but I seem to have lost it.\n\nGeez, what kind of question is that any way?\n\nLet's assume for a minute that you are asking about a just a mundane operation like walking from one town to another.  The inclusion of the word "exactly" in a question about a 2000 year old event makes one wonder what your epistemelogical standard is.   \n\nThe quick and the dirty of the situation is, I don't know.  I think it probably did happen though. I'm not a fundementalist, so therefore it's not necessary for the New Testament accounts, in this case the Gospel of John, to be completly inerrant for me to sign on.  They just have to be generally historically accurate, like any other set of historical documents from the time.\n\nSome people's a priori commitment to pure materialism aside, the story seems to be authentic to me.  It has specific details that a good old propaganda story probably wouldn't contain.  Such as Jesus's disagreement with his mother and his consequent quip at her.  And then he actuallly does what she suggested.  Propaganda created from whole cloth would probably contain less contraversy in it.  \n\nThe Gospel of John is actually the New Testament book that we have the earliest documentary evidence of.  Part of it was found in the Nag Hammadi (sp?) library in Egypt and has been dated to about 130 a.d.   That's pretty darn close to the events described compared to most ancient historical documents that are considered authoritative.
1063819
hell yeah he did!there is a picture to proce it too! just see any last supper pictures/painting!just  proves that christianity is fake and full of lies, conspiracies and myths1
614798
Most of the book is a fabrication.  The National Geographic channel and 60 min. recently had specials on this topic, exposing the completely fraudulent claims made in the book. \n\nThe thing I find the most humorous is that numerous non-Christians have exposed many of the false claims.  Any knowledgeable historian who has looked into the matter will tell you the same thing.\n\nA plethora of books have been published exposing the bogus claims of the book, including the "FACT PAGE".  \n\nThe title itself is repugnant to art historians.  da Vinci means "from Vinci", it is not a last name. Any art buff will tell you they refer to him as "Leonardo". Furthermore, Leonardo experts will tell you that he did not put hidden meanings into his paintings.  In his painting of the Last Supper, there is a picture of John to Jesus' left. The book claims that this is actually Mary Magdalene. John has a somewhat feminine appearance, but John was young. Leonardo and others painted what we know was John many other times with feminine looking features, we still have these paintings.\n\nThe book claims that there was a secret organization called the Priory of Scion created to protect documents that proved Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married. THERE IS NO FACTUAL EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THIS CLAIM.) On a logical level, if this secert were so terrible, then why wouldn't they just destroy the documents? It doesn't make sense. \n\netc.etc.etc.
325835
I don't think everything he writes about is true, of course. The author himself admitted to this. The only thing that I'm starting to be sure of is Jesus' relationship with Mary Magdalene and her being present in Da Vinci's "The Last Supper". We shouldn't believe everything the book tells us, but we might be able to read between the lines.
744941
No.. there are two marys.. mary the mother of Jesus.. and Mary Magdalen.. the prostitute Jesus saved from getting killed by a mod..
283366
I'm not sure which I find more hliarious, that Patzy calls your article, "bullshit facts" yet there isn't a damn thing to prove God exists that isn't strung together inconsitencies and things that are unexplainable, or the fact that MommaToldMeNotToCome has no ability to read the article and see when the article you posted in fact written.  Fact is, no one should be calling anyone elses beliefs bullshit.  \n\nAs for your question, it could be.  There is no way to tell.  Lots of people were crucified at that time and what happened to Jesus wasn't special.  He was one of many.  \n\nAnd Susenjungle, the Shroud of Turin wasn't used by mary Magdelen to wipe Jesus face, it was what was laid over his body after the crucifiction and due to the oils the body secretes during the ordeal made an stain of his face and body on it.  I have some good books on the subject if you are interested, let me know!  I love sharing books!
684848
People who have absolutely no idea will scream, "LIES" without even reading the book or investigating the history behind it. From what I was able to find, here is what's true and what's not:\n\n- Gnostic Gospels: True, except the text in the Gospel of Mary Magdaline where is says, "Jesus kissed Mary on the lips" is actually, "Jesus kissed Mary on the (hole in parchment)". Brown took a liberty here. Also, there are several references in the Gnostic gospels as well as the bible itself that refer to Jesus "favoring" Mary Mag but they don't go into detail...leaving room for speculation.\n\n- Priory of Sion: A real org., however every bit of information about links it to one of 3 men in the 1950s, and there's no information or reference of the org before that. It's thought to be a hoax.\n\n- Myth of Jesus's Family: The book is correct that Mary Mag was not a prostitute. The bible makes absolutely no reference to that at all. As for the legend of Mary Mag fleeing to France, the only evidence that I know of is a reference in a 15th century book, and an old French myth. Supposedly she had a daughter named Sara, which in Hebrew means Princess. So, the conclusion could be reached that she was the child of Jesus, but its a bit of a stretch.\n\nDa Vinci: Some agree 100% that Mary Mag is in the painting of the last supper. Several art historians claim that during the Rennesaunce (spelling) John was often painted feminine.\n\nConstantine: This was about 80% true from my research. Yes, Constantine formed the Christian religon as it is now (more or less). History is a little fuzzy though as to how much involvement he had choosing which books to include in the bible (some say it was him alone, some say it was several people over several years). However, he DID remove all other religions claiming to follow another messiah, and shape the Christian religion the way he wanted it and make it mainstream. Whether that's following God's influence or a personal agenda, you decide.\n\nOver all, as for the history and theory part of the book I'd say its about 50% fact, 40% legend-theory-assumption, and 10% false. Dan Brown even admits that, "the opinions in the book are conclusions drawn by the characters". He is himself a Christian.\n\nNow...isn't that better than an angry Christian screaming "LIES" when they don't have a clue what they're talking about?
943683
I don't think there is any real evidence for her being a prostitute, but I also don't believe that the Catholic Church did this to keep women down. I've always felt like they wanted to sensationalize the story a little more. Peter is made to look like a dumb bloke who only cared about fishing till Jesus came along- and then went on to become the foundation of the Christian Church. Paul was a cold blooded killer of Christians- the most unlikely to believe- yet converted. And of course Mary was a horrible, demon filled prostitute, yet Jesus loved her even more than the others. It's poetic. \n\nI don't get too rapped up in how and why they changed some of the stories. No true life movie is actually true life. People change the details to bring out the elements they want you to see. They wanted people to understand that Jesus will save ANYONE. And that's why they wanted Mary to be an ex-prostitute, it's more impressive that way.
389082
The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, appeared 6 times to 3 shepherd children; Lucy, Francisco and Jacinta; between May 13 and October 13, 1917. She came to the little village of Fatima, Portugal. She came with a message from God to every man, woman and child of our century. Our Lady of Fatima promised that the whole world would be in peace, and that many souls would go to Heaven if Her requests were listened to and obeyed.\nShe told us that war is a punishment for sin; that God would punish the world for its sins in our time by means of war, hunger, persecution of the Church and persecution of the Holy Father, the Pope, unless we listened to and obeyed the command of God.\n\nGOD HIMSELF\nEndorses Fatima\n       As a great sign of this whole mesage truly coming from God, a marvelous miracle was worked in the sky above Fatima before 70,000 witnesss on October 3, 1917 at the time, date and place that Lucy and the other two children had prophesied in the name of Our Lady of Fatima.\n\nShe told us that God had chosen to use Russia as the instrument of chastisement to punish the whole world if we did not, by our obedience, prayers and sacrifices, obtain the conversion of Russia to the Catholic faith.\nShe promised us, "If My requests are granted Russia will be converted and there will be peace".\nBut She also warned us, "If My requests are not granted, Russia will spread her errors throughout the world raising up wars and persecutions against the Church, the good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, various nations will be annihilated."\n\nThe third secret somewhat controversial, has to do with the faith of the believers being compromised...they will lose their faith.Some say that the 3rd secret has not been fully revealed, because it was supposed to be revealed in 1960, and because much has happened since then, those in the higher levels of the vatican have supresssed it.\nThe last surviving visionary, Sister Lucy, who died february 13,2005,was silenced by the vatican, so they controversy about the 3rd secret continues.
1062956
She preached and was anointed a "MAN in Christ" by Jesus himself according the Gospel of Mary, a recently discovered Coptic text. Thus allowing her to preach like a man was allowed to. Jesus was less concerned about woman preaching that Paul or the Catholic Church was.\n\nShe also wrote what the Catholics LABELED as the Gospel of John. I believe this is what Da Vinci was trying to tell us by putting Mary in John's place in his paining of the last Supper.\n\nMary was the MOST beloved disciple; she was even the first that Jesus appeared to after his death; she was the only disciple not to forsake Jesus during his trial and murder and according to Thomas, he kissed her differently than he kissed the other disciples.\n\nOther disciples admitted these things after Jesus died.\n\nHowever there is no indication, even in these Coptic or Greek text that Mary carried Jesus seed.
448402
Greetings! There are several legends surrounding this rock on the Rhine River in German folklore, the most common tale centering around a strikingly beautiful maiden (Lorelei)whose immense beauty so "enchanted" the men-folk, and because her lover was faithless and left her, she sought the love of others. As a result, the townsfolk charged her with being a witch, fearing she had brought sin to the town. She was brought before the Bishop and put to trial, but was declared innocent. Instead of death, it was ordered she serve in a Convent. Lorelei begged for death, but was denied, and as she was being brought to the Convent, she passed by a steep cliff, where it is said that she leapt to her death. The legend has it that she was turned into a Siren, and the sound of her singing so mesmerized the sailors who sailed past, prompting them to look up to the rock. Upon doing this though, their boats would crash against the rocks and sink.\n\nAnother version of the legend simply says that the beautiful maiden, Lorelei, was so grieved by the betrayal and loss of her lover that she hurled herself into the river. She was then transformed into a siren and her hypnotic singing could be heard echoing among the rocks, bringing sailors to their deaths.\n\nI hope this helps :-)
1170526
No!  Even secular history has recorded the crucifixion of Jesus.\n\nPontius Pilate wrote a letter to Caesar after Jesus Christ was crucified and rose from the dead.  The letter was found by a man named Rev WD Mahan at the Vatican in Rome, Itlay.  This letter was reproduced in a book Rev Mahan wrote in 1887 titled "The Archko Volume".  The excertps quoted below  are from the Archko Volume on pages 141, 142, 145, 147 and was written in a book titled, "The Genesis Factor" written by Yacov Rambsel on pages 102, 105-106.\n\nExcerpts from Pontius Pilate's letter to Ceasar recorded in the Archko Volume:\n\nDescribing the mob at the crucifixion (pg 141):\n\n"Often in our civil commotion have I witnessed the furious anger of the multitude, but nothing could be compared to what I witnessed on this occassion.  It might have been truly said that all phantoms of the infernal regions had assembled at Jersulam.  The crowd appeared not to walk, but to be borne off and whirled as a vortex, rolling along in living waves from the portals of the praetorium even unto Mount Zion, with howling screams, shrieks, and vociferations such as were never heard in the seditions of the Pannonia, or in the tumults of the forum."\n\nDescribing the great noise and darkness at Golgotha (142):\n\n"A loud clamor was heard procedding from Golgotha, which, borne on the winds, seemed to announce an agony such as was never heard by mortal ears.  Dark clouds lowered over the pennacle of the temple, and setting over the city covered it with a veil.  So dreadful were the signs that men saw both in the heavens and on the earth that Dionysius the Aerogagite is reported to have exclaimed, 'Either the author of nature is suffering or the universe is falling apart.'"\n\nPilate quoting Ben Isham, a sentry at the tomb (145):\n\n"He said that at about the beginning of the fourth watch they saw a soft and beautiful light over the sepulchre.  He at first thought that the women had come to embalm the body of Jesus, as was their custom, but he could not see how they had gotten through the guards. While these thoughts were passing through his mind, behold, the whole place was lighted up, and their seemed to be crowds of the dead in their graveclothes.  All seemed to be shouting and filled with ecstasy, while all around and above was the most beautiful music he had ever heard; and the whole air seemed to be full of voices praising God."\n\nPilate's concluding remarks (146):\n\n"I am almost ready to say, as did Manlius at the cross, 'Truly this was the Son of God.'"
785220
Hi, the Virgin Mary has indeed been seen many times throughout Christian history and not only by Catholics, in fact a famous apparition site was in Eygpt (zeitoun) and many muslims,coptics and protestant people witnessed this along with unbelievers,also the press, you can check it out on the web.\nalso the famous apparition at Knock in Ireland, and thousands of sightings have been reported at Medugorje in the former Yugoslavia.
741038
The Da Vinci Code is as explained by Leigh Teabing to Sophie Neveu, the figure at the right hand of Jesus is supposedly not the apostle John, but Mary Magdalene. According to the book Mary Magdalene was the wife of Jesus Christ and was in fact pregnant with his child when Jesus was crucified. The absence of a chalice in the painting supposedly indicates that Leonardo knew that Mary Magdalene was actually the Holy Grail (the bearer of Jesus' blood). This is said to be reinforced by the letter "V" that is created with the bodily positions of Jesus and Mary, as "V" is the symbol for the sacred feminine. The apparent absence of the "Apostle John", under this interpretation, is explained by identifying John as "the Disciple Jesus loved", allegedly code for Mary Magdalene (see also Second Apocalypse of James). The book also notes that the color scheme of their garments are exactly inverted: Jesus wears a red blouse with royal blue cape; John/Mary wears a royal blue blouse with red cape  — perhaps symbolizing two bonded halves of marriage.\n\nAccording to the novel, the secrets of the Holy Grail, as kept by the Priory of Sion, are as follows:\n\nThe Holy Grail is not a physical chalice, but a woman, namely Mary Magdalene, who carried the bloodline of Christ. \n\nThe Old French expression for the Holy Grail, San gréal, actually is a play on Sang réal, which literally means "royal blood" in Old French. \n\nThe Grail relics consist of the documents that testify to the bloodline, as well as the actual bones of Mary Magdalene. \n\nThe Grail relics of Mary Magdalene were hidden by the Priory of Sion in a secret crypt, perhaps beneath Rosslyn Chapel. \n\nThe Church has suppressed the truth about Mary Magdalene and the Jesus bloodline for 2000 years. This is principally because they fear the power of the sacred feminine. \n\nMary Magdalene was of royal descent (through the Jewish House of Benjamin) and was the wife of Jesus, of the House of David. That she was a prostitute was slander invented by the Church to obscure their true relationship. At the time of the Crucifixion, she was pregnant. After the Crucifixion, she fled to Gaul, where she was sheltered by the Jews of Marseille. She gave birth to a daughter, named Sarah. The bloodline of Jesus and Mary Magdalene became the Merovingian dynasty of France. \nThe existence of the bloodline was the secret that was contained in the documents discovered by the Crusaders after they conquered Jerusalem in 1099 (see Kingdom of Jerusalem). The Priory of Sion and the Knights Templar were organized to keep the secret. \n\nThe secrets of the Grail are connected, according to the fictional novel, to Leonardo Da Vinci's work as follows:\n\nLeonardo was a member of the Priory of Sion and knew the secret of the Grail. The secret is in fact revealed in The Last Supper, in which no actual chalice is present at the table. The figure seated next to Christ is not a man, but a woman, his wife Mary Magdalene. Most reproductions of the work are from a later alteration that obscured her obvious female characteristics. \nThe androgyny of the Mona Lisa reflects the sacred union of male and female which is implied in the holy union of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Such parity between the cosmic forces of masculine and feminine has long been a deep threat to the established power of the Church. The name Mona Lisa is actually an anagram for "Amon L'Isa", referring to the father and mother gods of Ancient Egypt (namely Amun and Isis). \n\nA number of different authors also speculate about the possibility of Jesus becoming a father. There are at least three children attributed to him, a daughter Tamar, born before the Crucifixion, and two sons Jesus (the Jesus Justus from the New Testament) and Josephes, both born after the Resurrection. Their names are now part of the common culture of conspiracy writers, however only two decades ago, when Holy Blood,