What would you do if there was absolute definitive proof that Jesus existed?

[FarfaFarf]

I know my answer...

[kmortis]

Where's the Planet X option?

Even if there was a Jesus, so what? Ot still doesn't mean that there's a god, or that anything that was written about him is true.

[Loss Leader]

None of these poll answers apply to me.

Do you mean what would I do if there were definitive proof that the tennets of the Christian religion were true or just if it were proven Jebus was an actual person in history?

And what about the people on Planet X? Don't they get a vote?

[quixotecoyote]

There's a large portion of atheists who believe Jesus did exist. As one of them, why would I change my opinion given proof. I also figure there was actually a Robin Hood and a King Arthur. Now what I believe about them.......

[Mojo]

We've been here before. Try this thread: What do you do when the Bible is proven right on something? (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=59557), and this one: What do you do when the Iliad is proven right on something? (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=59761)

And by the way, why should a Jew, specifically, be worried?

[frank462]

I just love this type of hypothetical question! It is so useful, so relevant, so thought provoking,
so .......... Who gives are rodent's derriere?!

[calebprime]

I believe that a Jewish preacher named Jesus existed, was born in Nazareth, and was crucified by the Romans. Probably.

This belief has almost no effect on my life.

I believe that the New Testament is anything but accurate as history.

Anyway, why this question? Why not: What would you do if the Steorn device was absolutely, definitively proven to work and create energy above unity?

Now if THAT were the case, I'd jump up and down on the couch.

[Horatius]

I'm the only one who chose the "bad boy" option? I mean, if all the answers are ridiculous, why not go for the most ridiculous?

Oh, and What kmortis said. (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=2834006#post2834006)

[Lonewulf]

Methinks the pollster is biased.

[Jekyll]

Repent Sinners for my messiah has been and gone.
Probably.

[Loss Leader]

"Embrace your idea of Hell and fantasize how you'll have all the S&M you ever wanted. You've been a bad boy!"


I'd just like to add that if there is a hell where you receive punishment, it would be a pretty stupid god who didn't realize that some small percentage of the people there were really, really getting off on it.

[EeneyMinnieMoe]

If all of this turns out to be true, then all of the wacky rules of the Catholic Church would also be true so I'd sin all my life and then do a few confessions, a few Hail Marys and Our Fathers and get last rites from the local priest and ta-da!

[Wowbagger]

I picked the third option, but I should clarify:

I read the question to mean if there was proof Jesus not only existed, but existed in the form of God's son.

I know Jesus may have existed as a human (but, even that is not conclusive). What I do not accept is that he was anything "holier" than a human, such a son of God, or God incarnate, or able to resurrect from the dead, or perform miracles attributed to him, etc.

[Pope130]

"Embrace your idea of Hell and fantasize how you'll have all the S&M you ever wanted. You've been a bad boy!"


I'd just like to add that if there is a hell where you receive punishment, it would be a pretty stupid god who didn't realize that some small percentage of the people there were really, really getting off on it.

There was an episode of Rod Serling's' "Night Gallery" with John Astin that addressed this. Astin played a hippy drug addict who died in a car crash. He found himself in a nice clean room with middle class people. One couple was showing slides from their vacation, there was an annoying cute little girl, deaf old guy telling boring stories and a huge stack of really bad records (muzak types). Astin is getting pretty bored by this and finally demands to talk to the devil in charge. He wants to know when they'll get to the fire and pitchforks and such. The devil informs him that this is his personal hell.
"And you know, it's funny, they have a room just like this upstairs."
Astin's last line "Bummer, BUMMER, BUMMER!".

Robert Klaus

P.S. On the original topic: None of the poll questions fits my opinion. It wouldn't surprise me if the Jesus character from the New Testament was based on a real person, quite possibly named Joshua ben Joseph. It also wouldn't surprise me if the character was wholly fictional. Either way I don't see it as an important issue.

[kmortis]

There was an episode of Rod Serling's' "Night Gallery" with John Astin that addressed this. Astin played a hippy drug addict who died in a car crash. He found himself in a nice clean room with middle class people. One couple was showing slides from their vacation, there was an annoying cute little girl, deaf old guy telling boring stories and a huge stack of really bad records (muzak types). Astin is getting pretty bored by this and finally demands to talk to the devil in charge. He wants to know when they'll get to the fire and pitchforks and such. The devil informs him that this is his personal hell.
"And you know, it's funny, they have a room just like this upstairs."
Astin's last line "Bummer, BUMMER, BUMMER!".

Robert Klaus


Heh...that's a take on Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit. It has the best final line, ever.
"Oh, I understand. Hell is other people."

[Loss Leader]

Heh...that's a take on Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit. It has the best final line, ever.
"Oh, I understand. Hell is other people."





Actually, the last line of No Exit is: Well, well, let's get on with it.


The line you're thinking about occurs just a moment earlier:

So this is hell. I'd never have believed it. You remember all we were told about the torture-chambers, the fire and brimstone, the "burning marl." Old wives' tales! There's no need for red-hot pokers. HELL IS--OTHER PEOPLE!

(source (http://www.nyu.edu/classes/keefer/hell/sart.html))

[dglas]

Wat's the safe word in Hell?

[NeoRicen]

I don't now how to answer given it's not specific enough. Proof Jesus existed or Proof he was the son of God?

For the former then I'd just change my mind on the issue, the latter I'd be mad because it means that monster of a God actually exists. I'd probably believe in a God but I certainly wouldn't worship him.

[kmortis]

Wat's the safe word in Hell?

"banana"

Loss Leader,
You're absolutely correct. I think the play stops, for me, as soon as he says the line I quoted. Besides, it's the "moral" of the play, after all.

In any case, good play.

[ponderingturtle]

Here is what is getting me. If jesus existed and was divine, why should I be so worried that I didn't believe in that? What he actualy said was all about peace and love and such, not massive punishment for the slightest infraction of cannon.

[J. Arthur Hastur]

Of course there was a Jesus, there were many Jesus', it was a fairly common name in Judea at the time of Jesus' birth. I would still be the same man I am today if someone found a cup tomorrow that was inscribed with 'Property of Jesus'. Did the Jesus of the Bible exist? Maybe, but if you prove that he lived and taught his Apostles, does that prove that he is the son of God and had super magical powers? No.

We KNOW that Alexander the Great certainly lived, but does that mean that he was the son of Zeus, who impregnated his mother in the guise of a snake? Probably not.

[Yiab]

None of these poll answers apply to me, either.

What would I do if there was absolute proof that Jesus existed, is God and that everything conservative Christians claim to be true is actually true?
I would start spreading the word that these things are true and trying to convince people to join me in my boycott of all things Godly. Essentially, I'd become an anti-Christian advocate.

[fuelair]

I know my answer...
(This actually repeats a response I sent yesterday - but which seems to be missing). Me too - small explosives carefully placed.*













* "There is no problem which cannot be handled by small explosives carefully placed!"
:D

[kmortis]

(This actually repeats a response I sent yesterday - but which seems to be missing). Me too - small explosives carefully placed.*













* "There is no problem which cannot be handled by small explosives carefully placed!"
:D

Even hemroids?

[Darth Rotor]

I'd just like to add that if there is a hell where you receive punishment, it would be a pretty stupid god who didn't realize that some small percentage of the people there were really, really getting off on it.
Which is why He'd send them to Heaven as punishment, since it would be their private Hell.

Right? ;)

Loved your post. :cool:

DR

[shemp]

If I had proof that Jesus was a gorilla, I'd go ape!

[dglas]

Even hemroids?

It wasn't claimed it would be a good solution. Just a solution...

[fuelair]

It wasn't claimed it would be a good solution. Just a solution...
Well read!!!

[Jackalgirl]

Interesting post -- I can't actually choose any of your answers because they don't really apply to me. In my faith, "it's all God", so it doesn't matter.

I have a question for you, though: what would you do if there was definitive, conclusive proof that there never was such a person as Jesus? How would that change how you believe -- and, most importantly, how you behave?

A) I'd still try to act in a moral and ethical manner, because it's the right thing to do, regardless of source of the idea, and regardless of the fact that I no longer have a post-death guarantee of a reward for good behavior.
B) Since there'd be no salvation through Christ, I'll go on and do whatever the heck I want to do -- as much as I can get away with legally, that is, and not worry about morality. Why bother if there's no eternal salvation?
C) I'm not Christian, so this doesn't apply to me.
D) On Planet X, Jesus is a brand of bubble-gum and will always be available. If you ask about Shemp, tho -- I'd be crushed!

[MINISTERofTRUTH]

I know my answer...

It does not matter whether there is a Jesus and/or a God.

No one is interested at all in the truth.

It will be a long long long long time before the value of truth surpasses he value of beliefs in the minds of the masses.

At this moment, truth receives absolutely nothing but absolute opposition.

[timhau]

I'd finish my coffee and take a shower.

[Rrose Selavy]

With regard to the original question - the same would apply if there were definitive proof that L R Hubbard had really existed. Doesn't make his claims or the claims of his followers any more convincing.