Did Jesus exist? Italian court to decide
05 January 2006
ROME: Forget the US 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 2000 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 said.
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.
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 to 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.
Full Version: Did Jesus Exist?
QUOTE(lov4all @ Jan 4 2006, 09:16 PM)
Did Jesus exist? Italian court to decide
05 January 2006
ROME: Forget the US 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 2000 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 said.
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.
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 to 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.
[right][snapback]31578[/snapback][/right]
05 January 2006
ROME: Forget the US 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 2000 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 said.
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.
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 to 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.
[right][snapback]31578[/snapback][/right]
There is a day coming that God spoke of: "I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to me every knee shall bow and every tongue will swear allegiance. They will say of Me, 'Only in the Lord are righteousness and srength.' Men will come to Him, and all who were angry at Him shall be put to shame."
The results of that trial will mean nothing against what God has spoken!!!
justaservant
QUOTE(justaservant @ Jan 4 2006, 07:26 PM)
QUOTE(lov4all @ Jan 4 2006, 09:16 PM)
Did Jesus exist? Italian court to decide
05 January 2006
ROME: Forget the US 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 2000 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 said.
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.
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 to 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.
[right][snapback]31578[/snapback][/right]
05 January 2006
ROME: Forget the US 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 2000 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 said.
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.
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 to 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.
[right][snapback]31578[/snapback][/right]
There is a day coming that God spoke of: "I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to me every knee shall bow and every tongue will swear allegiance. They will say of Me, 'Only in the Lord are righteousness and srength.' Men will come to Him, and all who were angry at Him shall be put to shame."
The results of that trial will mean nothing against what God has spoken!!!
justaservant
[right][snapback]31597[/snapback][/right]
amen..they are trying to reinvent the wheel...Jesus has already been proven to have existed.
Dear Lord,
I bind all these self proclaimed atheists in Jesus Name, let their mission to disprove the Living God - be in vain. Let all their attempts fall on deaf ears of the courts. Let the Courts rule in Your Favor. Lord, I ask you to not allow man to crucify my Jesus again. Send your angels to put a hedge of protection around those that are being procecutted for your NAME SAKE.
I know that these things must happen, so Lord, I ask if it is happening now, come quickly. We are ready for your rapture of the Church. We need your Words as our food. Help us to reach the lost quickly. We ask you to keep all the snares of the devil and his followers before us and gaurd us against the influx from the enemy. Defuse his evil works before they manifest. Bind him quickly into eternal damnation for your kingdom's sake. Establish your kingdom with your Bride soon. O'Lord the writing is so clearly being formed. We love you so much, there are so many who still refuse you. Help them and save them. In Jesus Name, Amen.
I bind all these self proclaimed atheists in Jesus Name, let their mission to disprove the Living God - be in vain. Let all their attempts fall on deaf ears of the courts. Let the Courts rule in Your Favor. Lord, I ask you to not allow man to crucify my Jesus again. Send your angels to put a hedge of protection around those that are being procecutted for your NAME SAKE.
I know that these things must happen, so Lord, I ask if it is happening now, come quickly. We are ready for your rapture of the Church. We need your Words as our food. Help us to reach the lost quickly. We ask you to keep all the snares of the devil and his followers before us and gaurd us against the influx from the enemy. Defuse his evil works before they manifest. Bind him quickly into eternal damnation for your kingdom's sake. Establish your kingdom with your Bride soon. O'Lord the writing is so clearly being formed. We love you so much, there are so many who still refuse you. Help them and save them. In Jesus Name, Amen.
After reading that I will simply fall on my knees and worhsip Him!
Every nation will know that He is God!
Keep on praising Him everyone. The devil just hates that.
We have nothing to fear what men through at us. However
I am in tears everytime my Lord is mocked. Oh Lord you
knew it would be hard to love our enemies. Please give
me patience and help me to still love in all circumstances.
Please forgive me when I get angry instead of praying to
you for guidance.
Every nation will know that He is God!
Keep on praising Him everyone. The devil just hates that.
We have nothing to fear what men through at us. However
I am in tears everytime my Lord is mocked. Oh Lord you
knew it would be hard to love our enemies. Please give
me patience and help me to still love in all circumstances.
Please forgive me when I get angry instead of praying to
you for guidance.
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