re: #484 Resistance is futile. You’ll be discombobulated.

Sure, but not necessarily the real Jesus. That’s the wrong path, IMHO. Although similar to the real path.

Very early and indepedent sources (Paul, Mark, Josephus) all mention Jesus the so-called Christ. Plus, there were already Christians, which is a evidential point in itself. Paul describes meeting James the Just, “the Lord’s brother”, James is also mentioned by Josephus - again these are ties to living, real people. Is it possible, in principle, that this is faked? Yes, just unlikely, and it needs to be explained how the very idea of Jesus arose and appeared in writings of these early authors.

well, i agree with that. see my #485

either there was a person who went about judea spouting sermons and philosophy somewhat like what we read in the gospels, whatever that person’s name really was, or “jesus” is a fiction invented by some other person or persons