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I believe it does matter. Blood libel deserves a response. I do not question anothers faith but when the accusation is made at me and my people I think I have the right to call the story into question by way of defence.

As to the historical record there is some. 1)The events are said to have taken place during Passover. The high Jewish court would never have met on a sacred day. 2)If they had met, they had the power to declare the sentence on their own. The did not need Pilate. 3) Josephus records that Pilate presided. 4)Pilate in the New Testament account does not want to go against the Jews assembled who are calling for death. Why would a powerful Governor with seasoned troops at his disposal care what some street rabble thought? History records him as being a brutal ruler who did not hestitate to use troops to put down Jewish trouble makers. Why would he give in to them on this account? 5) the fact that Pilate presides suggests that the matter was political and not primarily spiritual.

As far as the matter of Christian faith, I leave them to believe what they want. They can believe we did it, as Gibson seems to. But if they make a public spectacle of it at my expense, I will have something to say.

They can believe we did it, as Gibson seems to

and as their scriptures state. To call into question the very basis of their religion is akin to slapping them up the side of the head.

IMHO It is more appropriate to verify their faith, and show that (a) any duplicity was G-ds plan, (b)who was considered duplicitous sheds light upon antisemitism (and here your points are well-taken) (c) by definition a part does not define the whole (ie the actions of a few do not indict an entire people)