Originally posted by Palynka
Tacitus:
http://www.tektonics.org/jesusexist/tacitus.html#tacforg
Pliny:
Don't you think around 80 years is quite fast (at the time) for such an elaborate ploy of a fake Messiah to be set and followed by a sufficient number raise concerns?
For such a ploy, I would imagine it's much easier to pick one of the so-called Messiahs of that time that REAL ...[text shortened]... and followed by a significant number in less than 100 years in a time, I find it very unlikely.
Tacitus:
http://www.tektonics.org/jesusexist/tacitus.html#tacforg
I'll see your link and raise you two:
http://essenes.net/m12.htm#tacitus
http://www.positiveatheism.org/mail/eml9846.htm#TACITUS
http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/rmsbrg02.htm#TACITUS
Pliny: For such a ploy, I would imagine it's much easier to pick one of the so-called Messiahs of that time that REALLY was executed and build from there.
Perhaps. Excellent point.
Thallus:
The thing with Thallus is not proving that the darkness existed or not during the crucifixion. As an atheist I believe it didn't, but the fact is that the "he" that is mentioned by Africanus quotes of Thallus is clearly Jesus Christ:
Please refer to the eariler Thallus link I've posted. Additionally, this reference of Africanus to Thallus is from a third hand (Syncellus)
circa 9th century. An apologist, at that. Not credible, in my estimation.
I look at both sides and see no reason to embark on conspiracy theories. If you think it's likely that a mythical Jesus could be concocted and followed by a significant number in less than 100 years in a time, I find it very unlikely.
I appreciate your point of view. I strongly disagree, as the mythical "Jesus" was "concocted" over a far longer period...both before and after the epoch he supposedly existed.