Early Christians Hid The Origins Of The Bethlehem Star

New Scientist ^ | 12-21-2001 | Marcus Chown

[floriduh voter]

Catch my post 80. I have had esp my whole life but I don't work at it or meditate. It's just a part of me. This is an interesting thread. It think as long as we remember that there is an old testament and a new testament, we must accept there is esp, some people can read minds and have premonitions. It doesn't mean they are occult. I am a mild mannered, yet assertive conservative who has esp. I promise I won't read any freeper's minds. Then we'd all get banned from here. lol All I do or say is for good.

By the way, my mom heard on the tv that Barbara Olson's book is number one on the NY Times best seller list. Apparently, Ted Olson was on tv today, Friday.

[SpikeG]

Sorry I couldn't reply sooner but... had to go do that "job" thing. Just wanted to let you know that there was a wonderful book that came out in the early 80's titled "Holy Blood, Holy Grail". I don't remember the names of the co-authors but it was quite astounding and very controversial at the time. It is a detailed and well researched history of the 'Christ' origins and how the Christian religion came to be in the western world as we know it. It gives credence to an actual Hebrew king whose birth was engineered by the elders of his people specifically for the purpose of providing a leader to free the Hebrews of Roman oppression. ( what happened next is the stuff of legend and myth and enough to make todays political spin doctors pea green with envy). Based on thier research and resources,thier theory is quite credible. Even if you don't buy thier theory, the resource list will stand you in good stead in any debate on the subject of western religion.

[pcl]

The confusion comes from the multiple uses of the word "star." What really happened was a Roman Rock Concert that was touring the middle east stopped for a while in Bethelem. The "star" was lead rock singer Lapidus. The wise men were groupies. The frankincense was really just some good pot.

[SpikeG]

Astronomical conjunctions do indeed repeat themselves. When a planet moves to its closest point to the earth in its eliptical, it appears to slow,stop and then move in reverse. This phenomena is known as a retrograde planet. When it moves away from the earth again,it appears to,once again, slow, stop and then resume forward motion.

[Elsie]

Oh no, not me!

I'll leave THIS one alone. It's MUCH more fun getting Xman all tangled up in his apologetics for Harry!

[LadyDoc]

The so-called "New Testament" was written (mostly) about 100-140 years after the events described,

That theory is out of date. They have found fragments of both gospels and epistles dating prior to that. And most scholars point out that the later writings of early church fathers quote the scriptural books: some of them died in the early 100's.

The "theory" that the New Testament was written 100-140 years after Jesus' death comes from 19th century scholars, who made up that figure by guessing how long the story of Jesus would turn into complicated dogma. It's an open secret that that guessing was non scientific, but it's PC and hard to change in the PC religious schools.

[floriduh voter]

We all have different life experiences. I can assure you that I pray the Lord's Prayer and love Jesus every day. I love other people and take care of my mom and all my neighbors. I have tremendous compassion for friends and for strangers too.

Having esp does not make me a witch.

I took a morning nap at my family's home when I was in Jr. College because my classes were in the afternoon. I had a terrible nightmare during my morning nap. Before I left for school, I told my mom I had a horrible dream that someone had died. Then I left for Jr. College. When I came home from school in the evening, my mom told me an elderly friend of the family had drowned that afternoon at the bottom of a motel swimming pool. It's been like that ever since and I don't try to do this. I accept that it is a part of my being. I have also seen the grim reaper one time which I didn't enjoy at all. Things went downhill from there - I lost my dad and a young friend. I kept praying and my faith grew even stronger.

My mom whom I care for and I were at Goodwill a few weeks ago. There was a scrabble piece lying upside down in the parking lot. My mom bent over to pick it up. Before she had picked it up, I said it would be a "4". It was an F "4".

It doesn't matter if you question my faith because that's between God and myself. He knows my heart and I thank him every day for blessings that my family and I receive.

Maybe someday, you will pray for an answer and an angel will come to you and tell you "do not be afraid". God loves you and he loves me too. I am simply using all of the resources that God gave me.

[floriduh voter]

Please see my post 88. I am not Sabrina the Teenage Witch or Samantha from Bewitched. I have esp. Big deal

By the way Merry Christmas and this is the last religious thread I will ever post on. God and all the people I help know my heart.

[Redcloak]

They don't repeat in a fashion that leads people to individual houses.

[ez2muz]

"As a Jew, I've always found the idea of astrologers from the East following a sign to the Jewish messiah to be an odd one."

Thanks... I thought it was just me.

Actually, didn't Herod send the Magi after he consulted with the Sanhedrin (or at least a portion thereof) and determined from them where it was recorded that the Christ would be born?

Then I think he told the Magi to report back to him Jesus location so that he himself could worship.

So.... what really was the star's purpose? After two years or so, it seems Herod was the only one who found a use for the star phenomenon. -a bad use-

Who would want to locate Jesus through use of astrologers or, "observers of signs"... these, "diviners from the east" ?
God? Why? After the Magi learned of Herod's trick, they departed another way.
So who besides these pawns of Herod benefited from the star?

Who is REALLY behind the star's appearance?

[steve-b]

The "Jesus was a fabrication of the Romans" thing is pretty silly (though the Gospel accounts that have come down to us, particularly Luke, show some influences of Greek culture).

That said, the fact is that the Romans tended to tolerate local religions and customs as long as the subjects kept quiet and paid their taxes.

[steve-b]

There was an occultation of Saturn by the moon just a couple of weeks ago. My astrologer is vague on the meaning of this. Perhaps I don't pay her enough.

And the groundhog saw his shadow. This means six more years of Clinton attempting to repair his reputation.

[steve-b]

Addendum: The Jews (and later, the Christians) occasionally had difficulties with the Roman authorities because the latter considered the trappings of the Imperial rite to be part and parcel of loyalty to the Roman state, while the former considered it to be idolatry. The situation was not unlike that of Jehovah's Witnesses who object to the pledge to the flag on similar grounds.

[RightWhale]

I bought myself a bag of frankensense and myrrh

What about the gold? Did you trade it for the myrrh?

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[SpikeG]

I made no reference to individual houses. I merely corrected the misinformation you were basing your debate on. If it pleases you that it was an angel and not a planetary phenomena...Then,by all means, it was angel. In the future however you may want to refrain from using inaccurate facts to back up your faith-based arguements.

[floriduh voter]

Does Gold Master Card count? That's the only Gold I am familiar with.

[floriduh voter]

Does Gold Master Card count? That's the only Gold I am familiar with.