Reply #19: With respect, notmyprez, Jesus has to take his lumps along with -- [View All]

[saltpoint]

-- everyone else in history. Whether one believes in his magical powers and divine origin or merely considers him a dynamic teacher, leader, or revolutionary figure who rose against the tyranny of local Roman authorities, he is on the historical record.

No one is under obligation to treat him nicely just because you or someone else believes he is magical. In Shakespeare, characters may exclaim, "By His nails and wounds!" -- a reference to the crucificixion. Should we bash Shakespeare, then? Should we bash the fictional character who mouths those words?

No.

We should maybe choose our own sense of faith or religion or a given path or what have you, and quietly go about pursuing it. If I stub my toe and shout "Jesus!" at the top of my lungs, it should be an indication too you not that I am a coarse person but that my damned toe hurts.