The Devil’s in their Details

Except for the Acts of the Apostles, and Paul’s letters in the New Testament, there would be no other ‘proof’ of his existence. Isn’t it interesting how awkward that makes it for anyone believing his version of Christianity? Another myth-maker, perhaps, or a myth himself? Ostensibly, Saul of Tarsus was born there in about 5 AD. He was beheaded in Rome in about 67 AD. His conversion to Christianity happened on the Road to Damascus in 37 AD. So far, so good, right?

Josephus was born in 37 AD, he was converted to the Roman side in 67 AD. He died in Rome, around 100 AD, Oh, dear. the echo is too clear to me.

Neither of them heard of Jesus, and if it weren’t for the 37/67 AD repeat, I wouldn’t even be raising this question: could they be one and the same person?

Christianity is a State Religion

The idea that Christianity, as we know it now, is a figment of Roman thinking is almost too hard to resist. Gnostics from the 1st century to the Middle Ages have paid for this knowledge with their lives. And yet, the joke is: Saint Paul could be considered a Gnostic if his visionary meeting the Risen Christ as a blinding flash is to be believed. Instead, he has been co-opted by the new Christianity, meant for Jews and Gentiles alike. I’m not objecting to that fact, just that it could be suspicious, since it smacks of Magic. And magic, as we all know, is the product of misdirection.

If ever there was a religious way of thinking stolen from a people and presented to the wider world as their salvation, it was Christianity. But saying so, doesn’t make it true.

The proof is in the pudding, and the wholesale mistreatment of the Jews by Christians is enough for anyone, who has a mind of their own, to see the light (or the Light).

And then there’s this:

In spite of everything, the Message gets through…