Jesus did exist, and he is the Christ/Messiah.

Is everything written about him in the NT true and the absolute facts? This is another question, but I myself would say no, not everything.

So we have a difference of perspective and opinion here. Does this constitute WWIII? I hope not.

There are proofs of Jesus's existence in all the texts and belief systems that people have built around him.

There are also a good number of people who think that having experienced his presence and his light is proof of his eternity and his existence. - - - Does this prove it to anyone else? Probably not, or not so much.

Probably we will have to go on with this difference of perspective and opinion for some time. Possibly forever.

Do we want to "proselytize" or "convert" each other one way or the other? This is perhaps not such a good idea.

We do all have the right to state our opinions and perspectives on the subject, however.

Here's to the right to state and be open about our outlooks and perspectives! Let Freedom Ring!

But maybe we should try to be nice about it.

Comment 135

"What nature doesn't do to us
Will be done by our fellow man"

Porphyry said
>>  I have suffered for my art and now it’s your turn.
 
Oh, Stephen, we've suffered every of your 5,000 posts along the way. 
; )
  

Porphyry I very much hope you will continue to suffer with us.  I'm glad to do my part.

Oh, Stephen, we've suffered every of your 5,000 posts along the way. 

; )

Stephen said
While you're at it, what is the difference between Holland and the Netherlands?  And who the hell are the Dutch? 

I'm half Dutch.

The country names Holland and the Netherlands are interchangable. They mean the same thing and equally refer to the same country.

However, there is only one Dutch.

Dutch, refers to the people of the Netherlands/Holland.

Your failure to appreciate and take me seriously is an aberration.

Please, if you will, name many of the posters in the last decade who have appreciated your contributions and have taken you seriously.

With 8,199 posts that should be quite the list.

I am easily appreciated and taken seriously because my socio-economic network is rich.
Your failure to appreciate and take me seriously is an aberration.
But that how you want to use Bart Ehrman's website.
I'm fortunate not to have known you two when I first was given two books by Bart Ehrman as a gift,
then heard him live twice, and joined his online communities.

Despite your disrespect, I and others are life-long learners and I know other people are studying in the library as opposed to disturbing the peace.

For you two to behave the way you are behaving shows you two want to control what people are studying about the TANAK, the New Testament, archaeology, Early Christianity, and related topics as people are making sense of it all.

You can start a thread congratulating members for their number of posts.

Stephen said
I just noticed that my previous post in this here very thread was #5000.  Jeepers.  Either I am simply loquacious or I need to seriously get a life.   Ah well my logorrhea was diagnosed early and I suffer happily. (Just don't get me drunk or stoned.  I'm serious.)  I am most fortunate to have this here forum to spew my Deep Thoughts.  Or, to put it another way: I have suffered for my art and now it's your turn.   

Rather than congratulate you, I will instead express the appreciation of the forum members for your so many wonderful contributions here, and in recognition of such I award you with this additional bonus video:

From TV programs I've seen on it, it looks like a beautiful country.

Stephen said
While you're at it, what is the difference between Holland and the Netherlands?  And who the hell are the Dutch?

I'm so sorry that you no longer feel comfortable asking Lila since she moved in with me, so I encourage her to reach out to you directly:

The Netherlands is the official name of the entire country (consisting of 12 provinces), while Holland refers to only two of those provinces: North Holland and South Holland.

Historically, Holland was the wealthiest, most powerful, and most commercially dominant part of the country during the Dutch Golden Age. Foreign traders and sailors mostly interacted with these coastal provinces, so "Holland" became a popular nickname for the whole country. (In 2020, the Dutch government officially dropped "Holland" from its national branding to promote all 12 provinces).

"Dutch" is the demonym for the natives and citizens of the Netherlands. It derives from an old Germanic word (diets or theodisc) that simply meant "the people" or "of the common folk" (differentiating them from the religious and academic elite who spoke Latin).

Centuries ago, English speakers used "Dutch" to refer to people from both Germany and the Netherlands. Over time, English speakers started calling people from Germany "Germans," while the label "Dutch" remained stuck on the people of the Netherlands. (Locals themselves call their language Nederlands and refer to themselves as Netherlanders or Nederlanders in daily life).

I do know Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia.  That should count for something. 

Despite the double use of the double 'a' vowel transliteration into English from modern Mongolian Cyrillic (Улаанбаатар), Ulaanbaatar is not a Dutch word, but Mongolian for "Red Hero," in honor of the then recently deceased Damdin Sükhbaatar, the national revolutionary hero who had liberated the city with Soviet Red Army assistance. 

Yes, Lila encouraged me to award you 50 points, but I chose to also add the Cyrllic as an extra bonus, just for you.