# Jesus mythicism is reaching mainstream **URL:** \ **Category:** Religion and Secularism\ **Created:** [January 23, 2026, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868 "2026-01-23T15:19:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/1 "2026-01-23T15:19:28Z")
More are adding to the consensus > **[A CERN-Level Proof of Mythicism | Free Inquiry](https://secularhumanism.org/2026/01/a-cern-level-proof-of-mythicism/?fbclid=IwdGRzaAPgcCtjbGNrA-BwDGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHgD7HLb1OlvpJrwibo7sM5mUmGxnqGQYP0n1kJLaCpzYgvufL_Szq2kiFgI2_aem_zuJyAnQcGb0dASpsYow0zw)** > > This article will serve as a response to Bill Cooke’s Free Inquiry article “Five Challenges to Christ Myth Theorists” (August/September 2024). I object to t ... ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 12:13am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/2 "2026-02-19T00:13:32Z")
What consensus? That there was an actual historical charismatic person who gathered a lots of fans, and who’s death touched the hearts of many. That this person’s memory was then “deified” by humans, long after his death - furthermore that his memory and image that was then used to form a powerful political-religious movement? ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 2:55am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/3 "2026-02-19T02:55:38Z")
> [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > What consensus? The consensus on Jesus mythicism. The consensus of Biblical scholars is that there was probably a person named Jesus and he was most likely crucified. Really, that’s it. Carrier’s books have been about proving that there never was a person named Jesus behind the Biblical stories. It was myth from the start. It was turned into a historical figure, a process called euhemerism. ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 7:08pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/4 "2026-02-19T19:08:54Z")
Well that was a wonderful late night brainstorming session. Party is over. Snip. ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 7:19pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/5 "2026-02-19T19:19:25Z")
As for getting a _real_ world appreciation for who Jesus was, I don’t think there’s a better source than: Jesus Christ Superstar (1970 Original London Concept Recording) [Full Album] https://www.youtube.com/embed/yZD9b-NRfN8?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8 > [Rand0mBananaGuy](https://www.youtube.com/@Rand0mBananaGuy) - Apr 13, 2014 > > Side one: > > 1. Overture - [0:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1) > > 2. Heaven on Their Minds - [3:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=239s) > > 3. What’s the Buzz/Strange Thing Mystifying - [8:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=499s) > > 4. Everything’s Alright - [12:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=753s) > > 5. This Jesus Must Die - [17:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=1067s) > > Side two: > > 1. Hosanna - [21:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=1284s) > > 2. Simon Zealotes/Poor Jerusalem - [23:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=1413s) > > 3. Pilate’s Dream - [28:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=1701s) > > 4. The Temple - [29:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=1789s) > > 5. Everything’s Alright (reprise) - [34:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=2072s) > > 6. I Don’t Know How to Love Him - [35:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=2101s) > > 7. Damned for All Time/Blood Money - [38:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=2322s) > > Side three: > > 1. The Last Supper - [43:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=2634s) > > 2. Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say) - [51:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=3061s) > > 3. The Arrest - [56:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=3394s) > > 4. Peter’s Denial - [59:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=3595s) > > 5. Pilate and Christ/Hosanna (reprise) - [1:01:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=3683s) > > 6. Herod’s Song (Try It and See) - [1:04:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=3847s) > > Side four: > > 1. Judas’ Death - [1:07:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=4029s) > > 2. Trial Before Pilate (Including the 39 Lashes) - [1:11:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=4284s) > > 3. Superstar - [1:16:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=4597s) > > 4. The Crucifixion - [1:20:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=4851s) > > 5. John Nineteen: Forty-One - [1:24:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZD9b-NRfN8&list=RDyZD9b-NRfN8&index=1&t=5098s) > > > Jesus Christ Superstar is a 1970 rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The album musical is a musical dramatisation of the last week of the life of Jesus Christ, beginning with his entry into Jerusalem and ending with the Crucifixion. It was originally banned by the BBC on grounds of being “sacrilegious.” > > > > **The album’s story is based in large part on the Synoptic Gospels and Fulton J. Sheen’s Life of Christ, which compares and calibrates all four Gospels. However, greater emphasis is placed on the interpersonal relationships of the major characters, in particular, Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene, relationships that are not described in depth in the Gospels.** > > > > The album topped the U.S. Billboard Pop Albums in 1971 and served as a launching pad for numerous . . . ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 8:28pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/6 "2026-02-19T20:28:49Z")
> [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > This is what I’m confuse with - _what difference does the reality of the person Jesus, who apparently impressed an awful lot of people, and got killed for his efforts_ - make to the fact that Jesus the Savior is myth created by later generations? > > Jesus himself had nothing to do with it. Carrier’s thesis, and it’s not just his, he just did the first major peer-reviewed major book on it, is that there was no “Jesus himself.” That matters to a lot of people that believe God came down from above and incarnated as a man, then was sacrificed, literally. There are a few variations on what that did, what “atonement” means, if he’s coming back, etc. but all of that matters to many of the people that are affiliated with a Christian church. I’m not going to try to defend them or explain that right now. This is an entertaining way to absorb the scholarship. It has a storyline of getting together some comic book enthusiasts to decide what Batman works are “canonical”, another one in the future when Batman is an actual religion, and the scholars being interviewed in between those scenes. [Batman & Jesus (2017) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5070262/) ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 5:13pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/7 "2026-02-20T17:13:33Z")
> [@lausten](#): > > Carrier’s thesis, and it’s not just his, > [@lausten](#): > > That matters to a lot of people that believe God came down from above and incarnated as a man > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > Both follow a figment of our imagination, tailored to our specific wants and expectations. Okay, no argument. The point I’m trying to make is the importance of acknowledging the Human Mind ~ Physical Reality divide. > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > Jesus represents the ultimate honorable human, and example to emulate. A person whose story reflects the same trials and tribulation that we humans endure, better than anyone else has managed. > > His myth speaks to the loneliness and fear in our hearts. > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > Nothing wrong with that. > > **The problem arises when we can’t tell the difference between what’s happening in our mind - and what’s happening in physical world that we were born into as biological animals.** > [@lausten](#): > > Batman & Jesus (2017) - IMDb And there you have it - keep the mind game going, as we watch ourselves destroy the biosphere we depend on, as science get’s reduced to irrelevance, beyond processing data and creating “better” weapons. _Is it any wonder some have little but contempt left for “theology” (and most of today’s philosophy for that matter.)/_ ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 5:35pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/8 "2026-02-20T17:35:07Z")
> [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > The point I’m trying to make is the importance of acknowledging the Human Mind ~ Physical Reality divide. I know. > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > …keep the mind game going, … as science get’s reduced to irrelevance, It’s a movie that draws people in with an entertaining way to show how myths develop then has actual science in the form of historiography. ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/9 "2026-02-20T20:22:27Z")
> [@lausten](#): > > historiography. Okay > Historiography is the study of the history of history, focusing on how historical interpretations, methodologies, and perspectives change over time Which belongs to the realm of our “Mindscape.” Which is different from biology and evolution, which belongs to the physical realm. There is a line in there worth understanding and respecting. ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/10 "2026-02-20T21:40:44Z")
> [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > There is a line in there worth understanding and respecting. And that line has nothing to do with the question of Jesus being a real person or not ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2026, 5:12am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/11 "2026-02-21T05:12:34Z")
> [@lausten](#): > > > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > > > There is a line in there worth understanding and respecting. > > And that line has nothing to do with the question of Jesus being a real person or not That’s being silly, of course it does. Along with most everything else we think about. ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2026, 12:10pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/12 "2026-02-21T12:10:48Z")
> [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > Along with most everything else we think about. This is why it’s impossible to have a conversation with you. You bring your human mindscape - physical reality divide to every topic. ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/13 "2026-02-21T14:34:15Z")
> [@lausten](#): > > > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > > > Along with most everything else we think about. > > This is why it’s impossible to have a conversation with you. You bring your human mindscape - physical reality divide to every topic. What is it about a fundamental concept, out of which all else flows, that you don’t get? You remind me of folks used to complain that I always dragged AGW in every conversation as thought everything in our lives revolves around weather. Well guess what, climate does impinge on every f’n thing we do in this planet, for better or for worse. Whether people are too lazy to recognize it or not. Without getting clear on the **Physical Reality ~ Human Mind divide** - our thoughts remain a muddle. _Like we gotta get the map pointed in the right direction before we can start making sense of it._ ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/14 "2026-02-21T15:16:52Z")
> [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > What is it about a fundamental concept, out of which all else flows, that you don’t get? What is it about any given sentence can’t contain every required concept within it, that you don’t get? > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > You remind me of folks used to complain that I always dragged AGW in every conversation as thought everything in our lives revolves around weather. Right. I bet. It’s you. > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > Without getting clear on the **Physical Reality ~ Human Mind divide** - our thoughts remain a muddle How in the world did we figure out germ theory and put people on the moon without you? > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > Like we gotta get the map pointed in the right direction before we can start making sense of it. We need both map makers and explorers who charge into the unknown. We are born on a ship that is already sailing and have to figure out to navigate. ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2026, 5:53am UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/15 "2026-02-22T05:53:23Z")
Sorry dude, No time for that. ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/16 "2026-02-23T18:32:06Z")
> [@lausten](#): > > > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > > > There is a line in there worth understanding and respecting. > > And that line has nothing to do with the question of Jesus being a real person or not You are missing the point again. IT HAS TO DO WITH HOW WE THINK ABOUT JESUS AND RELIGION. > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > > [@lausten](#): > > > > historiography. > > Okay > > > Historiography is the study of the history of history, focusing on how historical interpretations, methodologies, and perspectives change over time > > Which belongs to the realm of our “Mindscape.” > > Which is different from biology and evolution, which belongs to the physical realm. > > There is a line in there worth understanding and respecting. > [@Regarding Jesus's mythicism. Mind v. Reality](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/regarding-jesuss-mythicism-mind-v-reality/11905): > > A recent post “Jesus mythicism is reaching mainstream” reminded me of an article at [Medium.com](http://Medium.com) by [Tanne](https://tannerontruth.com/theres-no-real-evidence-for-jesus-truth-or-myth-fa835c963940)r written Nov 15, 2025, [There’s No Real Evidence for Jesus. Truth or Myth?](https://tannerontruth.com/theres-no-real-evidence-for-jesus-truth-or-myth-fa835c963940). I read it a couple weeks ago and it keeps coming back to mind. The two have rekindled my interest in trying to formulate and share a comprehensible Earth-centrist’s perspective on Jesus. Why did Jesus become and remain the ultimate superstar for so many? What to make of the evidence regarding Jesus of Nazareth’s phy… ---
**Author:** ![cuthbertj](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/cuthbertj/32/18_2.png) [@cuthbertj](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/cuthbertj)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 8:22pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/17 "2026-03-10T20:22:49Z")
I would argue that it doesn’t matter whether there was an actual person. The fact of the matter is, lots of people believe it, and they vote. The good news IMHO is that people like James Talarico in Texas are taking the narrative back from the righties. So the historical progression is: Old Testament/Conservative Christianity gives way to New Testament liberal Christianity gives way to dropping Christianity altogether, and what’s hopefully left is something akin to Star Trek, advanced liberalism. ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 3:35pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/18 "2026-03-12T15:35:49Z")
> [@cuthbertj](#): > > I would argue that it doesn’t matter whether there was an actual person. I totally agree, still the reality is, many people do. Plus seems to me it’s always good to dig down into the substance of such issues. It helps us get/keep our bearings. At least for me it’s good to crystalize, and capture my experience in words that might make sense to others. 😉 > [the Jesus question](https://medium.com/@pmiesler/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream-ab6ea2760a55) ---
**Author:** ![lausten](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/lausten/32/23705_2.png) [@lausten](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/lausten)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/19 "2026-03-12T17:02:44Z")
> [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > I totally agree, still the reality is, many people do. > [@lausten](#): > > That matters to a lot of people that believe God came down from above and incarnated as a man, then was sacrificed, literally. We agree > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > Okay, no argument. And you agree that we agree. But, > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > And there you have it - keep the mind game going, as we watch ourselves destroy the biosphere we depend on, as science get’s reduced to irrelevance, beyond processing data and creating “better” weapons. ---
**Author:** ![citizenschallengev4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.centerforinquiry.org/citizenschallengev4/32/28718_2.png) [@citizenschallengev4](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/u/citizenschallengev4)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 6:54pm UTC](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868/20 "2026-03-12T18:54:03Z")
> [@lausten](#): > > But, > > > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > > > And there you have it - keep the mind game going, as we watch ourselves destroy the biosphere we depend on, as science get’s reduced to irrelevance, beyond processing data and creating “better” weapons. But, what? That quote requires the context it was set into. > [@citizenschallengev4](#): > > Nothing wrong with that. > > **The problem arises when we can’t tell the difference between what’s happening in our mind - and what’s happening in the physical world that we were born into as biological animals. …** [Next page](https://forum.centerforinquiry.org/t/jesus-mythicism-is-reaching-mainstream/11868.md?page=2)