“I have not yet begun to fight. ;^)” Let me ask now a question of you. What did you mean by that statement?
I mean I will not give up and go away. I will keep answering questions and asking my own until we understand each other, or you go away.
“[A] harmless crackpot...” 541
I did not call any poster here that. I said that was probably how Jesus appeared to Pilate.
“Insanity defense is a very modern notion.” 478
The poster I was addressing said that Jesus might be afraid of his trial being damaged by legal questions about his sanity. I answered that this is a modern notion, that insanity would be a reason to halt a trial.
“fake prophet” 480
The Jewish elders would harass the disciples because they thought Jesus was a fake prophet.
“I am glad you have a life, because I wouldn’t want to see you trying to earn a living at online debate.” 455 (to Prairiebreeze. I advise you kindly to watch your manners toward her.)
She indicated that I don't have a life. I indicated that she is not good at debate. Stay out of other women's catfights.
“Hasn’t happened yet, though, has it?” 399
That's not an insult, it's a fact.
“There can only be 3 explanations that I can think of. 1. He was deliberately misleading them as to his intentions. 2. He tried to explain but was terrible at making himself understood. 3. His followers were mostly the village idiots that he picked up on his travels.” 391
This is not insulting, this is a list of the only possible explanations for all his disciples being unable to understand him.
“...does not require people to adhere to the abominations of Leviticus...” 256 (Tipped your hand here, didn’t ya?)
This is not an insult, this is fact: Christians can eat pork.
“He’s being asked a direct, YES or NO question, and is refusing to answer. Of course that is being cagey. But I’m not blaming him for it; crucifixion’s a nasty way to go.” 245
This is not insulting, this is fact. He did not answer directly, and crucifixion IS a nasty way to go.
“This suggests to me that as he grew more famous, Jesus may have become less aesthetic and more materialistic. Also, his comment to the woman whose daughter was sick (“...”) and dismissive (“...” – of course we never see her again so chances are he was just blowing her off) suggest a gathering arrogance.” 245
Someone asked me what possible flaws Jesus could have and I answered. I did not insult the poster.
“[He] plays this little game …. This is a very cagey move by someone who very clearly does NOT want to be sentenced to death.” 226
This is not insulting. He did not want to be sentenced to death. I don't blame him.
“Jesus makes evasive responses like, “my kingdom is in another world,” and “whatever happens is God’s will”, and Pilates (sic) responds, “Okay, whatever, this kook isn’t my concern.” “You are living your life studying the legends of some other culture’s Che Guervara.” 223
If you prefer, I'll compare him to William Wallace.
re the Bible: “... which now exists as a relic that some people like to comb through looking for mystical signs to make their lives more interesting.” 222
Well, if the shoe fits, this is not my fault.
“Oh yes, he probably lived. I’m just very aware of how legends spring up around charismatic men, and how many humans need some magic and mystery in their lives.” 201
And here's the other glass slipper.
“You are afraid that if you put it into plain language, it will lose the mystery and glamor and be revealed for a silly bunch of nonsense. It doesn’t have to be gussied up to sound like Gandalf crossed with Peter Singer.” 200
It's true. If you can't put it in plain language, you are up to something.
“Mysterious language is the very first line of defense when employed to conceal a bunch of hokum.” 197
Again.
“Nothing in the acid trip that is Revelations (sic) has come true yet.” 190
It hasn't.
“The most plausible explanation is that it is a made-up story, like the apple of discord in Greek mythology.” 147
Who am I insulting here, the Greeks?
“I started out simply pointing out to one poster that there were more possible explanations for Jesus’s life than TRUTH or MADNESS.” yada yada yada … “You like those legends? Have at it. It’s better than Islam, at least.” 93
You wanted me to say it's worse than Islam?
“...we know that Hebrew legend is in some ways similar to Greek, Hindu, and Aztec legend. We can READ.” “We know that these texts were translated several times. We know that humans lie to each other and to themselves.” “I think Jesus lived. I think the legends that sprang up afterward are to be taken along with the stories of Beowulf and Zeus.” 88
It is increasingly clear that I misunderstood you. I thought you were accusing me of insulting other posters. I didn't realize that any disagreement with your views was considered "an insult." I will not apologize for disagreeing with your views, or insulting anyone who behaved in an insulting manner to me first. If you catch me insulting someone who has not insulted me first, however, feel free to bring it to my attention.
LOL. I understand now. You want me to go away.
.
.
.
Tough.