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To: Green Knight; CCWoody
Seems to me that a historian, at least a decent one, must concern himself only with facts, those things either proven or provable. Absent those, he must then utilize the most likely story extant, until such time as he has facts to either confirm or deny the original history. That, quite simply, is the scientific method.

The available records clearly show that Jesus of Nazareth was crucified for political and religious crimes by the Roman govenment of the period. Thus, historians are perfectly within their craft to state so.

The questions of his "dying for our sins", or "the Resurrection" are only testified to as fact in the Bible and by those faithful to it. While fine for them, this does not meet the standards of proof required for history's sake. That is hardly a blasphemous statement, as truth cannot be blasphemous.

One can debate history or one can debate theology. One cannot debate both at once, as there are completely differing standards of proof for both. One does NOT, in all cases, invalidate the other.

Religious dogma CAN be useful to the science of history, as it can provide possibilities which can be investigated of unexplained events. History, likewise, can be of value to the religious, in telling the tales of religious figures as actual events, and their signifigance to the world at large.

No one, no historian, could deny, for example, the impact that Jesus had upon world history. They must, however, explain that impact by what is recorded as provable fact. Alas, faith, however strong, cannot meet this requirement.

Slinging the "blasphemer!" tag around too readily only burdens those seeking objective truth, and comes too close to the refusal to see, or look upon such truth. What can be so frightening about it, that the eyes must be shut?

155 posted on 01/06/2003 8:10:18 PM PST by Long Cut
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To: Long Cut
Would it be alright if I clone your brain and replace mine with the clone? LOL!

You pretty much said what I've been trying to say for quite a while, now, in a single post and much more eloquently. THANK you!
156 posted on 01/06/2003 8:12:43 PM PST by Green Knight
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To: Long Cut
One can debate history or one can debate theology. ~ Long Cut Slinging the "blasphemer!" tag around too readily only burdens those seeking objective truth, and comes too close to the refusal to see, or look upon such truth. ~ Long Cut Woody.
168 posted on 01/06/2003 8:32:37 PM PST by CCWoody
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