[Old Man G Funk]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/01/04/italy.jesus.reut/index.html

Did Jesus exist? Court to decide

Wednesday, January 4, 2006; Posted: 1:35 p.m. EST (18:35 GMT)

ROME, Italy (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.

"Cascioli says he didn't exist. And I said that he did," he said. "The judge will decide if Christ exists or not."

Even Cascioli admits that the odds are against him, especially in Roman Catholic Italy.

"It would take a miracle to win," he joked.

Copyright 2006 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 

[MudGrrl]

would they make Jesus swear on the holy bible?


"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you god?"

Jesus: ummm, yeah sure......whatever man

 

[N8 v2.0]

would they make Jesus swear on the holy bible?


"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you god?"

Jesus: ummm, yeah sure......whatever man

Flash back to the movie "Oh God" where George Burns, as God, is testifing in court...

"So help me me."--God

 

[Andyman_1970]

Jesus need Johnny Cochran to represent him..........if the shroud does not fit you must aquit........LOL........I crack myself up.

 

[LordOpie]

"It would take a miracle to win," he joked.

 

[Tenchiro]

I have partied with a few guys named Jesus.

 

[Old Man G Funk]

I have partied with a few guys named Jesus.

Did they turn all your water into wine? That would make for some good party mates.

 

[Tenchiro]

Did they turn all your water into wine? That would make for some good party mates.

Kind of, but just the other way around. Although I can do that myself.

 

[MudGrrl]

I knew a Jesus.....








he was muslim

 

[Westy]

If the cross doesn't fit they must aquit.

 

[Andyman_1970]

If the cross doesn't fit they must aquit.

Good one............ [much better than my shroud joke]

 

[Damn True]

I say they go with the Chewbacca defense.

 

[Westy]

Good one............ [much better than my shroud joke]

D'oh, I have to admit that I didn't read anything more than the thread title before posting. Sorry to plaguerise.

Edit lets try this out: Jesus has an ironclad alibi. At the time of the crime he was walking into a bar with Moses, Mohammad and Buddah.....

 

[Damn True]

Jesus has an ironclad alibi. At the time of the crime he was walking into a bar with Moses, Mohammad and Buddah.....

......and the bartender say's, "What is this, some kinda joke?"