I think Magness was talking about how people get a lot of information in a technical field without getting the background they need to understand if it’s valid information.

I see T. Scott’s point – if we put our minds to it, we’re able to dig and find the other side of the story.

The problem is, who bothers? If there’s no reason to doubt the first story, why dig further? And I think that may be Professor Magness’ point – we can’t evaluate the information without digging further – we’re just given one shallow side of the story.

I don’t know a lot about the issues surrounding the names on the ossuary (I assume that’s what you refer to). I do know that the name supposedly “Jesus son of Joseph” is very hard to make out.

Here’s an article specifically about the name of Jesus. The point is that it’s an uncertain reading.

There has also been even more controversy about the supposed part of Mary Magdalene in all this. Dr Stephen J. Pfann has been quoted on this one a lot.

Thanks for your comment!

You’ve said a lot there! Let’s take it bit by bit…

Regarding the comment by Richard Dawkins, I certainly agree – there are times when things are so important that getting the truth across becomes more important than just being “polite”.

If “Christianity” (or, as you probably would say, certain Christians) just demands “respect” – meaning “don’t ever disagree with anything we say”, then we have a big problem. Hearing other points of view is important if we’re going to truly understand our own views, the truth, and other people.

Hiding behind religion without really knowing what it’s all about is a common problem. You didn’t mention what country you’re from, but most countries are “religious”, and have people who say they believe something without understanding it or even caring.

So far so good.

I also have to agree that it seems religion becomes “bumper stickers” and cute touchy-feely sayings to a lot of people. Perhaps we sometimes forget how what you believe drastically MUST transform your life.

Finally, you mention a number of authors and scholars with their own views of God, and the fact that you don’t believe we’re all sinners.

Of course, I wrote about sin yesterday. The Bible is clear that everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23 is the obvious example).

So I guess the question is, if you believe in God, which God? Why? The God of these particular authors? Why them? Why are they right and not someone else?

I believe in a God that has shown Himself – in the Bible, and in Jesus. I can’t pick and choose what I believe about God – He’s made some things very clear.

So on what basis do you say we’re not sinners? Not on the basis of the Bible, of course. On what basis do you accept these particular authors? That’s the heart of the matter. We have to go back a step to questions like, how can we know truth? What evidence should we accept?

I agree with a lot of what you say. But on what basis do you say it?

And why was Jesus’ family, from Nazareth, buried in Jerusalem? Jesus was only visiting when He was arrested and crucified. It’s odd that everyone in the first century believed Him to be a poor carpenter’s son from Nazareth with no wife, and suddenly He’s buried in a middle class tomb in another city with a “wife”.

I don’t think so.

But, in truth, He didn’t lie, and didn’t fail.

Our country may have the reputation of being very “religious”, but we’ve carried the concept of “respect” too far: honest attempts to find out the truth have been blasted away by people hiding behind religion (and certainly the Bible) without any knowledge about the subject. Biblical and textual illiteracy are rampant. 98% of “Christians” couldn’t tell you a thing about St. Augustine (father of The Church and the alleged inventor of “Original Sin”). Of course, it’s the duty of clergy and Christian leaders to keep people as ignorant as possible thereby having a means of control over their “flocks”.

What do I believe? I believe in God and I believe in humanity. I believe in Karen Armstrong, Bart Ehrman, John Boswell, Morton Smith, James Tabor and Elaine Pagels. I don’t believe in the black mark of original sin so that Christians can say “we’re ALL sinners.” I don’t believe in today’s Elmer Gantrys nor do I believe in today’s Elmer Fudds.

And I don’t believe in insulting God by bringing Him down to the level of “properity theology” and bumper stickers.

Scholars should be heard. But Christianity refuses to listen and demands only “respect.”