Was Jesus Christ A Married Man? (NYPost Review – “a tad confusing – pretty pictures”)

NY Post ^ | November 3, 2003 | Adam Buckman

[dead]

And was Mary Magdalene his wife?

Apparently, a lot of people will be upset if the answer to both these questions is yes.

As explained in tonight's "Jesus, Mary and Da Vinci" - a new ABC News prime-time special inspired by the best-selling novel, "The DaVinci Code" - proof that Jesus of Nazareth was a married man enjoying conjugal relations with his wife would upset the apple cart, so to speak, of all of Christianity since Jesus' divinity has been based for so long, at least in part, on the notion that he was celibate.

[Bohemund]

What's worse, that the painting shows that Da Vinci thought Jesus was married, or that Da Vinci thought Jesus was homosexual?

You're making some pretty big leaps there. Who's to say that the painting says anything about Jesus's preferences? Either it shows the Apostle John as effeminate to our modern eyes (which is how he was traditionally depicted), a position that art historians have held for centuries, or it shows a woman at the Last Supper, a recent theory co-opted by a potboiler.

[A CA Guy]

No, people like to watch fantasy like Star Trek sll the time as well.

[Paulus Invictus]

Throughout history, many men, sadly, have filled Christianity with numerous flaws.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

"Heh. With friends like you, Jesus
doesn't need enemies, does he? "

Since you do not believe in Jesus, why the hell do you keep referencing Christianity and criticizing Christians?

I do not practice the Christian faith, but I do not feel the need to make it a FR priority to attack them.

Why do you?

Get over it...no boogeyman is out to get you.

[Paulus Invictus]

The Jesus genealogy is the basic theme of the "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" book, and a very unconvincing genealogy at that.

[aCookieMomster]

YES! and Amen!

[cwb]

Last time I checked, the Boy Scouts weren't a part of government...nor was that Mission in Tennessee. You want religion out of government? Get government out of our schools and everything else. At the rate governments growing and accumulating "private" interests, there will be no public left to practice any religion. People who speak about the Separation of Church and State always seem to forget that the 1st Amendment specifically says that Congress shall also make no law "prohibiting the free excersize thereof." Why don't you talk to Ashcroft, Pryor and Pickering, all of whom were assaulted because of their deeply held beliefs, Nah...no persecution there. Oh, but I forgot...we need concentration camps for you to call it persecution.

There is a big difference between government endorsing a religion, and approriations that are sought by all types of groups, that many of us object to. And it's much more than "government" as ABC had to bleep out the word "God" when one of "The Views" gals used it in monolgue she was giving. While it aired live on the East Coast, it was bleeped during its rerun on the WC as if it was a swear word. I Hope you enjoy your secular/humanist society were the only faith is that of Man and his desire for power and control. Of course, we all know that such secular faiths, as socialism, fascism and communism are much more tolerant and peace-loving than that of Christianity. And better yet...no rules or judgementalism to get in the way of your decadence. Hey, and maybe you'll finally get your wish:)

[Trampled by Lambs]

I am not a religious man and you can make of that what you will but I've been reading here on FR about this and have to admit my ignorance.

Why is the possibility or the insinuation that Christ was married so offensive to christians?

This is not troll bait. I am just curious. I have read the bible but its been.. oh, 30 years or so.

Can anyone answer me without getting upset or offended?

[stevem]

Christ's crucifixion, including his death, is the "message". I can't dispute that although so many of the stories in the gospels that are both interesting and inspirational are not the crucifixion.

Regardless of how you slice it, I will liklely read the book, although I doubt it will change my views on the world. I think I'll skip the TV show.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Art through the ages, has always revealed more about the artist than about his/her/it's models. What was obvious then is doubly obvious today, girlie boys have always permeated the art community.

[JoeGar]

I read The Da Vinci Code last month and thought it one of the best mystery novels I've ever read. I'll be watching with you.

I just read it last week and thought it was fabulous too. Read his other one, "Angels and Demons" (almost as good).

I just started reading his "Digital Fortress" yesterday.

[Pahuanui]

Quit your job. Slack off.

[Pahuanui]

I have to say that if the person on Christ's right isn't a woman, it's one gay looking man! "Youth," my Aunt Fanny!

A 'fussy bachelor', perhaps?

[F.J. Mitchell]

THe answer is simple-if Christ was married, the scripture lied. Therefore it would not be the gospel (truth).

[gcruse]

I want to help these tortured souls see that
a religion-neutral government is in the best
interest of all, and that being treated the same
as those with other or no beliefs need not be
seen as persecution, destruction, or Armaggedon.
It's a mission of mercy.

[Scenic Sounds]

THe answer is simple-if Christ was married, the scripture lied. Therefore it would not be the gospel (truth).

Does the Bible say that Christ wasn't married?

Beyond that, I don't think that there's any risk of anyone proving a marriage. It's not like anyone is gonna come up with a marriage license.

[JoeGar]

For those who want a more thorough discussion of the historical inaccuracies in The Da Vinci Code, you can find at the Envoy blog by Carl Olsen and Sandra Meisel: Part One of a Special Planet Envoy Critique of The Da Vinci Code

For Heaven's sake, the book is a work of fiction. Olsen and Meisel don't seem to recognize this.

[F.J. Mitchell]

THe interpretation of Art , is in the eye of the beholder. Obviousely what you see there is very personal and revealing. Hee hee, I feel like a window peeper.......sorry.

[Some hope remaining.]

Why is the possibility or the insinuation that Christ was married so offensive to christians?

When it comes down to it, it's probably not offensive to most Protestant Christian groups because it doesn't really affect their theology AFAIK. It's just kind of different/uncomfortable because it's always been assumed that He was single. Sometimes people tend to think of marriage as carnal but in reality it is from God. The man is not without the woman in the Lord, etc.

For Catholics it makes a bigger difference because of the Perpetual Virginity, celibacy of priests, and other concepts that are part of their faith. I'm sure I don't begin to do it justice so I won't even try. :)

Now if you really wanted to offend people you'd post something like this one: Wives? But that would only stir up controversy... :)

[F.J. Mitchell]

"Does the Bible say that Christ wasn't married.

As Christ was dying upon the cross, he was making arrangements for the care of his Mother. He said to a deciple I believe, "Behold thy Mother." and to his Mother Mary he said, "Woman, behold thy son." It's there, look it up for your self.

I cannot recall him making any such arrangements for Mary Magdaline, something he surely would have done, had she been his wife.