Did Jesus Exist?
 

Reuters Jan 4, 2006

An Italian Court is to decide whether Jesus really existed or is a hoax.

By Phil Stewart

ROME (Reuters) - Forget the U.S. debate over intelligent design versus evolution.

An Italian court is tackling Jesus -- and whether the Roman Catholic Church may be breaking the law by teaching that he existed 2,000 years ago.

The case pits against each other two men in their 70s, who are from the same central Italian town and even went to the same seminary school in their teenage years.

The defendant, Enrico Righi, went on to become a priest writing for the parish newspaper. The plaintiff, Luigi Cascioli, became a vocal atheist who, after years of legal wrangling, is set to get his day in court later this month.

"I started this lawsuit because I wanted to deal the final blow against the Church, the bearer of obscurantism and regression," Cascioli told Reuters.

Cascioli says Righi, and by extension the whole Church, broke two Italian laws. The first is "Abuso di Credulita Popolare" (Abuse of Popular Belief) meant to protect people against being swindled or conned. The second crime, he says, is "Sostituzione di Persona", or impersonation.

"The Church constructed Christ upon the personality of John of Gamala," Cascioli claimed, referring to the 1st century Jew who fought against the Roman army.

A court in Viterbo will hear from Righi, who has yet to be indicted, at a January 27 preliminary hearing meant to determine whether the case has enough merit to go forward.

"In my book, The Fable of Christ, I present proof Jesus did not exist as a historic figure. He must now refute this by showing proof of Christ's existence," Cascioli said.

Speaking to Reuters, Righi, 76, sounded frustrated by the case and baffled as to why Cascioli -- who, like him, came from the town of Bagnoregio -- singled him out in his crusade against the Church.

"We're both from Bagnoregio, both of us. We were in seminary together. Then he took a different path and we didn't see each other anymore," Righi said.

"Since I'm a priest, and I write in the parish newspaper, he is now suing me because I 'trick' the people."

Righi claims there is plenty of evidence to support the existence of Jesus, including historical texts.

He also claims that justice is on his side. The judge presiding over the hearing has tried, repeatedly, to dismiss the case -- prompting appeals from Cascioli.

The Debate Over Jesus Existence
 

The proof that Jesus existed is overwhelming. There is more proof for his existence than any other historical figure. To rule against the existence of Jesus would be to challenge the existence of almost every historical figure in the last 2,500 years. Now if you want to debate whether he was the Son of God, that's another issue. That takes faith. But, to say Jesus never existed is to be historically ignorant. Way too many facts that would prove the existence of Jesus.

Keith

"God Bless" Cascioli.
Every morning I wake up and see His creation and feel His presence. And He loved me so much that He sent His son to save me from my sin and bleed on a cross for me. Jesus is my only hope and I have faith and trust in Him.

....... what Stick said..............

Italy's version of the ACLU
Bob K

Between Pat Roberts and now my generational countrymen I can't tell if its something that air born or just something that is affecting the entire world of late.

Boats - ?????

I mentioned this earlier how the ACLU sued the Indiana Government for starting the sessions off with a prayer....and won
Now the Government is pushing through a bill for a personalized license plate which will have the inscription "IN GOD WE TRUST" on it, and it looks like its gonna make it
Bob K

Interesting set of laws. Seems if we had those two, most of our politicos and MSM moguls and talking heads would be shaking the bush with Cool Hand Luke. I wonder if Luigi really thinks he?s going to bust the Catholic Church in Italy and maybe Luigi doesn?t understand that the Vatican is a separate country and not necessarily subject to any Italian laws.
The whole episode looks to be a tempest in a teapot that will do little more than annoy and upset Parish Priest Fr. Righi and get the arguers, arguing.

Hmm, I wonder how many churches of all denominations send out newsletters each week. So many Churches, so little time, eh, so Luigi best get cracking. Plus Mohammed is 650 years newer than Jesus so maybe Luigi wants to grab a hold of that as well. This is the time of the Haj so there is a huge audience in Mecca just waiting to hear such advisories and no doubt the undaunted Luigi is the guy to make it happen. Go Luigi go, go to Mecca. ;)

Scamp

Jesus is the son of God. He came here in earthly form to atone for our sins. He saved me and many more like me. He sure did live. I don't care what Italy's version of ALCU says Jesus is my Lord and savior.