Some years ago in Boston, I was a regular visitor of "Tin Tin bufet", an all you can eat place for 5.99. There was regular American fare as well as more exotic dishes, breakfast cereal and even ice-cream to choose from.

Almost all Religion are like "Tin Tin buffet"s of the spiritual needs. There are deep moral stories for people so inclined. There is fire and brimstone for all those who seek it. There are farces, even a hint of sex. All this is because the needs of people vary according to their social, economic ..or cultural backgounds. The religions have evolved to solve issues that were critical to certain times in history, or even to accomodate people from different geographical locations. All of this is a work in progress.

Works like this column, that seek to find the "true" begining of Christianity, is like trying to find the core of the onion by discarding the outer layers. It is all fine and good, and there are people who would probably get a thrill out of it, but the complex totallity that is Christianity of today, that is the real issue in hand.

I was born a Hindu, although I am not much of a one. I grew up to be an agnostic and got along in life without a god (or God) - I am 70 now and see no reason to reconsider. I insist on my absolute freedom of religious beliefs and stand for similar right of everyone else.
As years rolled by I became attracted towards the Buddha, another teacher of mankind who had no great role for god in his scheme of ideas. He never spoke about god, either for or against. Gradually I realized that it was not important what he said, or did not say, on the subject. It was more important to look at his teaching. I came to a view that the Buddha's teaching has validity for all mankind, all climes, and all times.
Perhaps something similar ought to be said of Jesus. Historical facts of his life may be hard to establish - according to the principles and practices of historical research. It is perhaps more important to look at his teaching, which likewise ought to be for all mankind, all climes, and all times.
What is common between Jesus and Buddha? It is their teaching of love for all men (and women) and for all living beings, including non-human. If only we would act on that teaching.
V.C. Bhutani, Delhi, India, April 13 2009, 0520 IST, vineycb1@vsnl.com

He is risen! Alleluia!
His risen indeed. Alleluia!

This is the day the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad!

ohhhh gaaaaaah boooogaaaaah!

I would be trembling in fear at this moment but I don't by your twisted belief in a god of "love" who fries his babies in hell.

Colorado dog wrote "Jesus tells followers that spiritual grace does not come from ritual or belief, but from acts of compassion. "

I appreciate your view, but what Jesus and the Bible teaches is that Grace comes from God alone, leading one to repentance and faith and the fruit of that is acts of compassion - of which the ultimate act of compassion is preaching the Gospel: which is God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in Justice, you have broken Gods moral laws and are guilty and are storing up wrath for the day of wrath. You are an enemy of God in your mind through wicked works. But God so loved the world that He gave his only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Jesus said "I am the truth, the life and the way, No man comes to the Father but by me." Therefor - turn from your sins and put your faith for forgivenss in Jesus.

Wow, how did this get in the Post ?? ( thats indicative ! ) His dates on manuscripts are way off, his claims are under researched and his hypothesis is sophmoric.

Is there any real proof that Caesar ever really existed ?? there is 10,000 times more archaeological and manuscript evidence that Jesus existed than Caesar !!

Just look at the writing of Josephus ( A.D. 37– A.D. 100 Jewish historian who was not friendly to the cause of "Christians" )

njoebott wrote:

To all who have read this blog entry and are considering buying Mr. Weyler's book, I ask (and pray) that you also consider reading Pope Benedict's book, Jesus of Nazareth. The Pope has dedicated his life to the teachings of Christ and he is the recognized leader of His church. Mr. Weyler is an accomplished environmental activist and journalist and as such clearly has motives beyond spreading the message of Christ...like selling a book and furthering his liberal agenda.

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Your selfish prayer that I buy the Pope's book is proof that God doesn't answer selfish prayers (in other words, don't hold your breath.)

To me, the Pope is an anathema to Jesus teaching his followers that spiritual grace does not come from ritual or belief, but from acts of compassion.

The Pope's beliefs are that gays and those choosing a logical approach to abortion are damned.

The Pope's beliefs are that a father who rapes his 9 year-old daughter doesn't warrant excommunication but her mother who arranges her abortion does.

The Pope's beliefs are that it's OK for his Cardinals Rivera and Mahoney to hide a pedophile priest from US justice in the Mexican State of Pueba while the Pope cries crocodile tears about little boys being raped by priests and while giving the complicit criminal Cardinal Law not only refuge in the Vatican but a high position there as a reward for his looking the other way for decades while the priests under him diddled little children.

The Pope's beliefs are that condoms cause AIDS.

The Pope's beliefs are that Protestants are "wounded", Muslims are to be insulted and the Jewish Holocaust is to be denied or ignored.

Apparently, by your post, you also think the Pope's beliefs are that anyone who is an environmentalist is also a "godless liberal" and your promoting his book furthering taking the Catholic Church and the rest of the world back into the dark ages is somehow something Jesus would ever want.

Jesus tells followers that spiritual grace does not come from ritual or belief, but from acts of compassion.

Looking at the hatred, intolerance and just plain meanness of of modern "Christian" religions makes one ask the question: "What the devil happened?"

As I re-read the column and the comments posted here, I wonder how many of you are able (or even willing) to recognize the true power of Christ and His Church here on earth. This point is especially for those who, inevitably, bring up the regrettable past of the Church when trying to make the point that religion is evil based on the acts of some of its adherents. Time and time again Christ's Church has brought good to humankind throughout the world: Over 1000 Catholic-run universities, over 5800 Catholic-run hospitals, over 8000 Catholic-run orphanages, about 14000 homes for the elderly, and almost another 75000 missionary institutions. (These numbers don't reflect the other, and just as important, Christian denomination led support organizations) These organizations are sustainable not because of just the moral teachings of a mere man named Jesus 2000 years ago, but rather because there was a true-man and true-GOD who was resurrected from the dead...this is the basis of Christianity and Christ's Church. A Christian believes either Jesus was truly God because of His resurrection from the dead OR he was a lunatic and / or liar. Many readers here will point to the latter I imagine.

I challenge any one here to point to the exact dogma, doctrine, or theological point that explicitly states that it was OK to perpetuate the evils of the past that so many call on when trying to invalidate Christianity.

To follow-up on BMXPAYNE's comment: you are darn right that the Pope has an agenda...to proclaim Christ's teachings through his Church. That is his mandate; one that he has held since becoming a priest many many years ago. It is not hidden. The Pope is for Christ and the truths behind His teachings. A teaching that is made legitimate because He is God. What mandate or responsibility is Mr. Weyler trying to fulfill? Other than one for personal advancement and gain.

Happy Easter, everybody! Like clockwork, here comes someone to crap on your parade! You know ...

Jesus wasn't God
Jesus wasn't real
Jesus was just a moral man
Jesus was just an extraordinarily gifted teacher
Jesus was a gnostic who picked up magic in Egypt
Jesus was married to Mary, had a little slice of Martha on the side

etc etc etc

It's the crucifixion all over again. Everyone gets to take a swipe.

No matter -- Christ told his apostles that He was the Christ, and the voice of God said Christ was God's son. Now, you can say that's a bunch of bunk or just confabulation. But if you do, please be sure to throw out the stuff in the Gospels you like as well.

You can set your watch by how the main stream media will try to dump on Christianity every Christmas and Easter.

It is time for post-religion. Intelligent human beings - for, perhaps, 2000 years, the most intelligent human beings - have spent their lives striving to understand the questions supposedly answered by religion. The biggies: What happens after death? What is heaven? What is hell? What/where is god? The language has gotten more complicated, the explanations more esoteric, but the understanding has not grown one iota. The child's understanding is still as deep as the most renowned scholar's. After a couple of millennia, is it not time to concede that religion is mere semantics sustained by ignorance and a few points in each nation's GDP? It's an unnecessary industry. One more quirky book about it only reinforces that.

I really enjoyed this piece, and it fits into how I, as a former Christian, now view the life of Jesus. After all, popular myths are taught to American children about George Washington and other historical figures that lived a mere 200 years ago - imagine what happens over many hundreds, and thousands of years.

Especially agreed with "spiritual grace does not come from ritual or belief, but from acts of compassion" - witness the Evangelicals, who put all emphasis on belief (faith). I've had many Christians worry about me and my lack of belief - they never ask me if I helped a poor person today, or spent time with the sick or prisoners. No, the main thrust is "do you believe in Jesus Christ as your personal savior who died for your sins and who rose from the dead?" If you answer in the negative, the response is "but you must!" Never is it an entreaty to live like Jesus... it's all about "believe as I do!"

On a side note, it's dismaying to see so many typos in the Post these days - "pealed back"??? Not once, but twice. Bells peal. Layers are peeled.

Jesus' message of compassion and humility is indeed an inspiration. But as this piece seems to suggest, the entire notion of Jesus' "divinity" is mythological. The truth of the claims of religion must me treated with the same scrutiny as any other claim. Revelation is not a source of truth. Hence, many of the claims of all religions are highly questionable.

"I ask (and pray) that you also consider reading Pope Benedict's book, Jesus of Nazareth. The Pope has dedicated his life to the teachings of Christ and he is the recognized leader of His church...

...as such clearly has motives beyond spreading the message of Christ...like selling a book and furthering his," Conservative Catholic agenda.

I like this post b/c it helps me understand and accept Jesus. I have been raised (and continue to learn from) family and mentors that are Christians, Catholics, etc.

attempting to keep my response orderly...

1. "he was 1st and foremost a human teacher." -- Is there any other way that religions could be formed?

2. "Jesus (Yeshua) was a peasant Jew from, "the People of the Land," -- This makes me think of the "meek shall inherit the earth", which may be happening right now thanks to the too-big-too-fail corporate & political-pork-loving leaders.

3. "Nazorean" and "Magdalene" may be honorific titles that had nothing to do with towns... My experiences with the church and it's followers, lead me to believe that white men have a tight grip on leadership and want to control the conversation. What are these men afraid of?

Other questions... WWJD if he was asked to advise The President? WWJD buy first right now if he had a credit card with an unused $10k limit?

How wonderful:

Jesus tells followers that spiritual grace does not come from ritual or belief, but from acts of compassion.

Oh...... that this would were to be read in everiy church on every Sunday. We wouldn't need much more..would we?

Jesus was a Bodhisattva of the Earth. In India, they raised Shakyamuni to godlike status and Buddhism disappeared because the important message is that we, ordinary mortals, can get in touch with the divine, if we apply ourselves to it and find happiness in the here and now. Dividing the secular and divine is a mistake in life and in death. Heaven and Hell only exist here on earth and in people's perceptions of it.

This was a very thoughtful article. There is great value in trying to discover the real-- historical--Jesus, rather than spending a lifetime defending doctrine and dogma. While organized Christian religion provides guidance and support to millions, it also has created much mischief in the world. The murderous crusades, Spanish Inquisition, Salem Witch Trials, and KKK all somehow managed to incorporate Christian Theology in their agendas. Less murderous but more insidious are the condemnatory and exclusionistic doctrines of many Fundamentalist and Evangelical sects--quite possibly the exact opposite of the original teachings.

Perhaps the basic human need to put a face on the Fearful Void is stronger than the need to understand our human history as accurately as we can.

I can more easily accept the guidance of a loving teacher who disclaimed supernatural ties than a supernatural teacher who was not loving.

To all who have read this blog entry and are considering buying Mr. Weyler's book, I ask (and pray) that you also consider reading Pope Benedict's book, Jesus of Nazareth. The Pope has dedicated his life to the teachings of Christ and he is the recognized leader of His church. Mr. Weyler is an accomplished environmental activist and journalist and as such clearly has motives beyond spreading the message of Christ...like selling a book and furthering his liberal agenda.

more confusion from someone trying to do away with the consequence of sin. jesus's first followers weren't christians? wow,thats deep. there couldn't be any christians till His coming back from the dead. he was a jew as was everyone else around him. why did i read this?