If the resurrection was a hoax…..?
922259
Nobody is willing to die horrible, painful deaths like the disciples did for a lie.  The only reason for lying about it would have been to get rich, which they didn't, to get famous, which they didn't until after they were dead anyway, because we humans are pretty selfish.  Since they didn't actually get anything out of the resurrection story except a lot of pain, torture and death, there would have been no point at all in lying about it, hence it wasn't a lie.
1122093
My faith isn't based on history, so it's not possible for archeolgical finds to disprove my faith.\n\nI don't take the Bible literally, so something that disproves the Bible's literal stories isn't going to mess me up.  There is no way to archeologically prove whether or not Jesus was the Son of God.  Hypothetically, I suppose you could find a body that might be Jesus', but that would only disprove resussitation of a corpse, and I believe resurrection is more spiritual than physical. (although I do believe in a physical ressurection, it's just that if it was "disproved" it wouldn't shatter my faith).\n\nI don't know what kind of archelogical evidence could disprove the validty of my belief system, or most other religions.  The closest it could come (hypothetically) is to show that some events recorded in some holy scriptures didn't actually happen that way.  The only people this could possible mess up are fundamentalist inerrantists, whether they be Christian, Jewish or Muslim.  It wouldn't really affect any of the eastern religions because there aren't any inerrantists (that I know of) within Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, etc.\n\nSo... I wouldn't have to stick blindly to my faith because it's not blind.  Not all faith is.  In fact, most of it isn't.
951461
This question has been asked for hundreds of years since the beginning of recorded history.  No earthling knows the answer.  My theory follows, but it is long and you must read it with an open mind to radical concepts... \n\n\n “WHAT IF” \n\nFIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I CANNOT ATTEND A CONVENTIONAL CHURCH WITHOUT BEING HYPOCRITICAL, BUT I FIRMLY BELIEVE IN GOD, JESUS, PRAYER, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, LIFE AFTER DEATH, AND BASIC CHRISTIANITY.  ALSO, IN IT’S UNALTERED AND ORIGINAL FORM, THE BIBLE WAS PROBABLY A MUCH MORE ACCURATE, THOUGH SIMPLISTIC, DOCUMENT THAN EXISTS TODAY.\n\nHOWEVER, IT IS MY OPINION, THAT THROUGH THE SEVERAL DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS, REVISIONS, VERSIONS AND TRANSLATIONS OF BIBLICAL INFORMATION BY PERSONS WHO WERE IGNORANT TO MODERN SCIENCE, SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES, AND TECHNOLOGY, THE TRUE MEANINGS AND ACCURATE INTERPRETATION OF THE EVENTS RECORDED ORIGINALLY HAVE BEEN LOST.  TO ME, THE BIBLE WAS INTENDED TO BE AN HISTORICAL DIARY OF A TRULY REMARKABLE VISIT AND A SERIES OF PROFOUND EVENTS THAT DID IN FACT OCCUR.  IT IS SAD THAT MAN WAS NOT AT THE TIME, INTELLECTUALLY CAPABLE OF ACCURATELY COMPREHENDING AND RECORDING WHAT HE ACTUALLY SAW.  BECAUSE OF THIS, MANS EARLY, AND ONGOING, INTERPRETATION OF RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE HAS TAKEN MANY AVENUES OF APPROACH, AND IN PRESENT REALITY, APPEARS TO ME TO HAVE BEEN INITIALLY BASED ON NAIVE CONJECTURE STIMULATED BY DIRECT EXPOSURE TO SEVERAL INSTANCES OF PROFOUND AND UNEXPLAINABLE PHENOMENON THAT OCCURRED BEFORE A MODERN UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGICAL ABILITIES WAS DEVELOPED.  HOWEVER, AS ONE LOOKS AT THE HISTORY OF MAJOR RELIGIOUS FACTIONS, IT IS APPARENT THAT ALTHOUGH THE INTERPRETATION AND FOLLOWING OF THIS DOCTRINE WAS GREATLY VARIED, THERE WERE SOME ABSOLUTES THAT DID NOT CHANGE. \n\nSOME EXAMPLES ARE: ONE SUPREME BEING OR ENTITY SUCH AS GOD, BUDDHA, MOHAMMED, AND THE GREAT SPIRIT.  ALSO, THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH, GOOD AND EVIL, AND RULES THAT MUST BE FOLLOWED TO THE BEST OF ONES ABILITY TO ACHIEVE ACCEPTANCE TO THE HIGHER LEVEL OF EXISTENCE AFTER PHYSICAL DEATH. \n\nTODAY, WE KNOW THAT THE UNIVERSE IS IMMENSE.  WE ALSO KNOW THAT GALAXIES WITHIN OUR UNIVERSE GO ON AND ON, AND THERE ARE PROBABLY MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF THEM IN EXISTENCE.  MOST OF THESE GALAXIES CONTAIN UNCOUNTABLE NUMBERS OF STARS. (WHICH ARE SUNS)  SOME OF THESE STARS ARE HUGE.  OTHERS ARE TINY.  SOME ARE VERY NEW AND SOME ARE EXTREMELY ANCIENT.  SOME HAVE BURNED OUT, COLLAPSED UPON THEMSELVES, AND HAVE BECOME "BLACK HOLES IN SPACE, WHILE OTHERS HAVE EXPLODED IN SUPER-NOVA.  BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, SOME ARE ABOUT THE SAME SIZE UNIFORMITY AND CONSISTENCY OF OUR SUN.  THROUGHOUT THE UNIVERSE, THERE ARE PROBABLY TRILLIONS UPON TRILLIONS OF STARS THAT ARE VERY MUCH THE SAME AS OUR SUN.  IF ONE BELIEVES IN EXTRA TERRESTRIAL INTELLIGENT LIFE, ONE CANNOT LOOK INTO A CLEAR NIGHT SKY WITHOUT FEELING EXTREMELY HUMBLED AND INSIGNIFICANT.  IT IS MY BELIEF THAT WE ARE MOST CERTAINLY, NOT THE ONLY RELIGIOUS AND INTELLIGENT LIFE IN OUR UNIVERSE.\n\n   WHAT IF: \n\nALL INTELLIGENT LIFE IS CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE NO MATTER WHAT PHYSICAL CONFIGURATION IT HAPPENS TO BE IN. \n\n\n\nWHAT IF: \n\n"GOD”, THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS, ELECTED TO ESTABLISH INTELLIGENT LIFE ON A FEW OF THOSE PLANETS AS HE DID HERE ON EARTH? \n\nWHAT IF: \n\nCREATION AND EVOLUTION ARE THE SAME.  THE TWENTY-FOUR HOUR DAY IS MANS EARTHLY CONCEPT OF TIME BECAUSE IT FITS THE PHYSICS OF EARTH’S ROTATION IN ORBIT AROUND THE SUN, AND THE SPINNING OF THE PLANET ON IT’S AXIS. \n\nWHAT IF: \n\nONE OF GOD' S DAYS EQUALS A BILLION OR SO OF OUR YEARS?  TO PUT THIS INTO PERSPECTIVE, COMPARE A SINGLE ATOM TO OUR SOLAR SYSTEM, THEN COMPARE THE AVERAGE TIME REQUIRED FOR THE ELECTRONS (PLANETS) TO ORBlT AROUND THE NUCLEUS (SUN) AND THEN THINK OF THE SIZE/TIME RELATIONSHIP COMPARING OUR SOLAR SYSTEM TO THAT ATOM.  THEN COMPARE OUR TINY SOLAR SYSTEM, AS AN ATOM, TO THE IMMENSITY OF THE UNIVERSE.  SURELY, UNIVERSAL TI
375207
"There is actually quite a bit of written history from that time period that proves he did exist. But thanks for playing anyways."\n\nHAHAHAHAHAHA.... prove it. Show me one single piece of paper and I will believe you. The fact of the matter is, there was NO record of a historical jesus. In fact, St. Paul (who recorded the very first story of "Jesus") didnt mention anything about a virgin birth, miracles, or even this plane of exsistance. It was set in the same relm as Zeus, Hera, and other fictional characters. There are no writings from ANYONE who supposedly followed "jesus". If you know of any first hand evidence, I will gladly look at it and convert my faith if its true. So heres your big chance, all you good christians out there... In fact, Im gonna make it a new topic.
356254
No, I don't think it is possible. Jesus said that he would come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, so if this guy hasn't been heard and seen by everybody, he's just a Messiah-wannabe. Jesus said, "Many will come in My name and deceive many."
804610
I am with you. I dont belive in any of it.  No God, heaven, hell, religion, afterlife, higher power...period.  It is the ultimate hoax, the greatest "story" ever told.  In the Bible it states that many of HIS followers eluded to the fact that Jesus or God himself asked them to sacrifice a life, fast...etc.  If ANYONE went and sacrificed a life TODAY, they would be found guilty of murder by the very people who will go that Sunday and pray in church with the Bible in their hand.  It is the ultimate form of hypocritical existence.   They say you must have FAITH to believe.  Well, if I was a religious man serving under the beliefs of God, I would have FAITH in a man who said he has repented his sins, he did it in the name of God and then I would set him free.  So, to all of those who judge, who convict a religious crime based on societal evidence, you have sinned equally in the eyes of YOUR GOD.  So, I am with you brother.  There is NO evidence, proof or otherwise to suggest a supreme supernatural power exists.  Evolution DOES on the other hand exist and it is proven to have existed LONG before any so called God, creator, or Hell existed.  We are born, we live and we die.  It is that simple.  You have to be strong to accept that kind of fate and I DO accept that.  Belief in God is for those who fear death and the impending nothingness that follows.  They cant accept that or figure out our beginning, so they SAID this and that happened.  The billions who have been fooled.
600670
I don't know how to answer your question because I have never doubted the existence of Jesus - physically or spiritually.  But I do know my opinion on the Bible being a work of fiction... Think about it this way for a second : Why would the writers of the Bible put so much work into it if it were a work of fiction?  Why would men die for their belief in Jesus if he weren't 'real'?
348147
Go here, gives the full story and how it was authenticated.  Sounds like it's real to me.  But no matter how much scientific evidence you toss at they they are just going to go after the science and claim it's a conspiracy.\nhttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/04/0406_060406_gospel.html
1020572
I believe there is a high likelyhood that a man name jesus exhisted and did much good in his time, just like i believe in the doctors of today who do good. \n\nNow as to him being some holy being, that I don't quite believe in because it doesn't make alot of sense to me, just as I wouldn't believe in a doctor brought a corpse back to life. \n(not talking about people who are legally dead for a few minutes because that happens somewhat often with today's science.. I mean someone whos really dead.. REALLY REALLY dead.)
166327
Well, since the Bible is referenced in historical texts, more than any other book, and the story of Jesus is told in the Bible, I think that is considered historical proof. These stories are not new. The concept of Jesus' existance is harder for the modern day person to believe because we are 2000 years removed from that time. However, several texts, scrolls, letters, etc. were written soon after the death and resurection of Christ. Also, do not forget that zealous Jewish priests were persecuting Christians in order to try and get them to deny the message of Christ. This went on for a long time, and yet, the message has survived until now...2000 years later. Is it possible that it is all made up? I suppose there is no 100% evidence that it existed. But then, can you 100% proove that your great (time 5) grandfather existed? If you never met him and no one alive on this earth ever met him, how can you "proove" he existed. The simple fact is, you can't. But you believe because 1) you have faith. and 2) all the evidence presented supports that he did exist. All the evidence supports the existance of Christ. \n\nI suggest you pick up a copy of the book "The Case for Christ" by Lee Stroble. This presents the stories in a very "judicial" method. Giving the evidence and the opposing sides views and why the evidence supports the message of Christ.
798851
What if they werent clones? What if it were all the work of the original?\n    I think I would find that far more amusing than random people cloning him
875350
I wouldnt have thought so, now if he woke up tomorro and both his legs were healed that'd be a miracle!\n\nI like Txlady's answer him being alive could be a miracle!!!
444055
Yes, I firmly believe Jesus died and rose from the dead.  I believe also that this is why we celebrate Easter.  The bunny and egg thing just came around to entertain the kiddos.
345507
First and foremost of all, the "DaVinci Code" is a work of fiction; however, within its pages it contains informations based on historical facts and/or theories.  Now, as to the question asked:\n\nThis is a very grave matter to be discussed because, the very core of this topic can very well destroy, not only the Roman Catholic Church but also, the whole Christianity.  Still, one cannot deny the fact that, the "what-if" can be very possible.\n\nThere are things which were not clear about Jesus as presented in the Christian Bible, and that part is what made people starting to ask these "what-if" questions.  The Bible did state that, Jesus "loved" Mary Magdalene more than his followers; thus, what is meant by this "love"?  Indeed, a very likely hint, isn't it?\n\nSo, what we are left are two choices:\n\n- Stand firm in the Christian Faith and, consider this "DaVinci Code" as just another nonsense.\n\n- Venture beyond the "point of no-return"...
923943
I would write and call a lot of friends and family!  I wouldn't waste my time traveling because I believe in the resurrection, so I'll check out Niagra Falls later.  ;)  I would want to share my hope to see my loved ones again with others, and let people know what they meant to me.
554633
It would mean a lot if people without a vested interest in promoting religion had recorded anything related to those miraculous events.\n\nBut, as it is, the only "witnesses" are those who were promoting the "belief." And, as such, aren't credible.
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.