You assert that the central aspect of Jesus is the words of his assertion that he was divine.
And on this, that you claim as the central aspect, your witnesses either vanish into the ether, or disagree.
Not very convincing. Perhaps you can take your argument to a 3rd grade Sunday school, and convince them.
your witnesses either vanish into the ether, or disagree.
***Not according to the normal standards of history, only according to your standards upon which no other single person in ancient history could meet.
No, Jesus does not meet an irrational standard. He meets a rational standard of history.
Since you are not interested in rational standards of history, Matt 5:7 applies to you.
You know, you'd be just as well off by manning up and having the integrity to admit that you don't believe because you don't WANT to believe, than to try to blame shift it off onto questioning the historical records and applying double standards as to what you accept as proof and setting up pretend scenarios that we know still wouldn't convince you.
It'd be better if you'd just admit that you have no use for the god that you have your notions about and that you don't see that He's relevant to your life. At least at that point, you'd be being intellectually honest and we could respect THAT.