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CajunRick
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Posted: Sat Mar 3rd, 2007 12:32 pm |
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On March 4 the Discovery Channel will air a documentary, "The Lost Tomb of Jesus," produced by James Cameron, Oscar-winning director of the "Titanic." Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici, the film's archaeological "expert," claim to have discovered the tomb of Jesus and his family.
They also claim to have found evidence that Jesus had a son with, guess who, Mary Magdalene.
If it sounds just like the Da Vinci Code all over again, you're right. But where author Dan Brown employed psuedo-art history, Cameron and Jacobovici have conscripted an archaeological theory rejected years ago by established experts in the field.
In an interview on the Today Show on February 26, Cameron confessed, "I'm not an archaeologist, I'm a filmmaker," which about says it all. (Oh, by the way, Cameron and Jacobovici have also co-authored a book, "The Jesus Family Tomb.")
Meredith Viera, co-host of the Today Show, acted as if she were interviewing Albert Einstein just after he discovered the theory of relativity: "If this is correct, what are the implications? They're huge," Vieira said.
But here is the rest of the story, or should I say hoax.
Ten ossuaries or "bone boxes" were unearthed in 1980 during a construction project south of Jerusalem. The ossuaries were removed and stored with the Israeli Antiquities Authority. Six of the boxes are marked with names: 1) Yeshua bar Yosef, Hebrew for 'Jesus son of Joseph'; 2) Maria, or Marya; 3) Matthew, or Matya, understood to be another relative, probably on Mary's side; 4) Yose, understood to be a brother of Jesus'; 5) Mariamene e Mara,interpreted by the filmmakers as Mary Magdalene; and finally, 6) "Yehuda bar Yeshua" or Judah, son of Jesus.
The existence of the ossuaries reported in 1996 by the London Times made identical claims to those of Cameron and Jacobovici.
Historians say these were very common names during that time. Cameron and Jacobovici, however, are relying on the estimates of statisticians that boxes marked with these names could belong to any other family. Their expert in the film says the chances are one in 600, which Cameron and Jacobovici conclude make the ossuaries very likely the real thing.
Help me here. Would anybody take that bet? 1 chance in 600!
Samples of the remains were taken to DNA experts who established there was no genetic link between the boxes containing "Jesus" and "Mary Magdalene," which are interpreted as establishing them as husband and wife. According to the Discovery Channel film, "Perhaps they were married, and perhaps it was kept secret to protect a potential dynasty, a secret hidden through the ages, a secret we just may be able to uncover in the holy family tomb."
I wonder if Dan Brown is going to sue the Discovery Channel for stealing intellectual property?
This is not the first time Jacobovici or the Discovery Channel have been associated with fraudulent claims about archaeological finds. In 2002 Jacobovici publicly supported the authenticity of the so-called ossuary of James, brother of Jesus, which was found to be a forgery by experts. The Discovery Channel dutifully reported on the James ossuary as if it were an established scientific fact. But it was determined that the words "brother of Jesus" were added to the box at a later date. Jacobovici has never backed away from his claim that the ossuary of James is authentic. It turns out that the James ossuary came from the original ten uncovered in 1980.
In the last few days, archaeological experts have come forward to denounce the film and the book. They did the same in 1996 after a BBC documentary reported a similar story on the ossuaries. Amos Kloner, an expert on Israeli tombs and the first archaeologist to examine the site, said the conclusions reached by Cameron and Jacobovici have no archaeological validity: "They just want to get money for it," Kloner commented (2/26/2007, Associated Press). Kloner told the BBC News website, "I don't accept the news that it was used by Jesus or his family."
Another expert in ancient antiquities, Professor L. Michael White, from the University of Texas, expressed doubt about the claims: "This is trying to sell documentaries," he said, adding a series of strict tests needed to be conducted before a bone box or inscription could be confirmed as ancient. "This is not archeologically sound, this is fanfare" (2/26/2006, Reuters).
Finally, there is the comment of Joe Zias, an archeologist at the Rockefeller University in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. Zias remarks, "Simcha [Jacobovici] has no credibility whatsoever" (Press release, 2/26/2006, Catholic League).
The Discovery Channel is supposed to broadcast programming about scientific discovery and exploration. The field of biblical archaeology boasts numerous experts with established scientific credentials. Why not commission a group of them to produce a film that would reveal the ongoing exploration of ancient sites in the Holy Land, such as that at the base of the Temple Mount itself?
The answer must be that the Discovery Channel is not interested in science that is respectful of its own methods or the beliefs of millions who believe in the sacred story of the Saviour who rose from his tomb.
If you would like to contact the Discovery Channel directly, here is the link to send a comment by e-mail: http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations
The above article was written by Deal W. Hudson of The Morley Institute.
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Ioannes silens
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 09:09 am |
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Here's a bit of ammunition to use when this nonsense flares up again after the documentary airs:
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleid=14A3C2E6-E7F2-99DF-37A9AEC98FB0702A&chanId=sa027
It would seem Dr. Feuerverger is distancing himself from this history fabricating discovery.
It is also interesting to note that this "1 in 600" seems to refer, not to the odds of not being the "Jesus family" as reported by Cameron and Jacobovici, but an estimate that 1 in 600 families would have this collection of names - and that given the spurious Mary Magdalene identification.
Personally, I find all such attacks like this faith affirming, don't you?
Last edited on Sun Mar 4th, 2007 02:16 pm by Ioannes silens
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 11:47 am |
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Ioannes silens wrote: Personally, I find all such attacks like this faith affirming, don't you?
First of all, welcome to CHN, and welcome back to the Catholic faith. We're glad to have you here with us, and we're looking forward to hearing your faith story.
Yes, it definitely affirms my faith that after 2000 years of this kind of attack, no one has ever proven that scripture is false.
I say "attack" but I really don't believe anyone is maliciously attacking Christianity except Satan. The rest are just in it for the money. Of course everything is manipulated. This is "journalism" from the Oliver Stone School of Film, where you start with an assumption and then find the facts to fit. Many "documentaries" most recently including Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" are not objective examinations of all the facts but contain selective truths. Frankly, if I was making a documentary on Jesus, I doubt if I would include stuff from The DaVinci Code.Last edited on Sun Mar 4th, 2007 11:50 am by
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BodRod
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 03:23 pm |
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Does that "discovery" mean we need to cancel Easter???  Last edited on Sun Mar 4th, 2007 03:24 pm by BodRod
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 03:47 pm |
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BodRod wrote: Does that "discovery" mean we need to cancel Easter???
Not only Easter, but Christmas, too.
We'd better cancel all the political holidays, too, like Labor Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Independence Day, too. Since our nation was founded on Christian principles, we'd better reject it all.
And don't forget Halloween and Mardi Gras.
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Truthseeker
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 05:53 pm |
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how would anyone know if DNA matches Christ's or Mary's? I'm sure we don't have their samples?
Laura
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BodRod
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 06:03 pm |
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This kind of science is the type of science that came up with the idea of global warming; we just make it up as we go! 
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sewnsew
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 07:25 pm |
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| And so how many of us have families/friends just wainting to jump on the bandwagon? :?
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JillD
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 08:03 pm |
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Truthseeker wrote: how would anyone know if DNA matches Christ's or Mary's? I'm sure we don't have their samples?
Hmmm.... If you have two samples that are absolutely indentical except that one has the XX chromosomes (Mary) and one the XY (Jesus), that might do it. If they find that, I'll express some interest. Otherwise..... yawn........
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"Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men." Ps 140
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sewnsew
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 08:04 pm |
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| I have just been told by a family member that the "Ultra Religious' will just dismiss it but open minded people will listen and accept it since they have some valid points and after al this is an old discovery that the religious community has supressed"
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 08:15 pm |
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JillD wrote: Truthseeker wrote: how would anyone know if DNA matches Christ's or Mary's? I'm sure we don't have their samples?
Hmmm.... If you have two samples that are absolutely indentical except that one has the XX chromosomes (Mary) and one the XY (Jesus), that might do it. If they find that, I'll express some interest. Otherwise..... yawn........
Wouldn't do it for me. If Jesus didn't ascend into heaven, then there was no virgin birth, either. If it's a lie, the WHOLE thing is a lie. There's no halfway.
My commitment is one of faith. Manipulated facts are irrelevant. Remember, this is the same group that brought us Jim Garrison charging Clay Shaw in a CIA plot to kill JFK; the vault of Al Capone; and countless other examples of manipulation. They have no credibility whatsoever.
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BodRod
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 08:38 pm |
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<<<.....absolutely indentical except.....>>>
How's that again???
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BodRod
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 08:40 pm |
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<<<.....since they have some valid points.....>>>
Like what?
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sewnsew
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 08:52 pm |
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| I don't know what their valid points are- just like the Da vinci code I choose not to debate issues- I have found it futile with this relative- if I point out other opinions by other people I am just a religious nut so I shut up usually and let time tell the tale.. which it will, just as the hype over Da vinci is forgotten so will this since it won't stand up to close scholarly scrutiny
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JillD
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 09:00 pm |
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BodRod wrote:
<<<.....absolutely indentical except.....>>>
How's that again???
I have read and it makes sense that Jesus' DNA came from his mother. (I suppose we can make this whole thing TOO comprehensible to our human minds... So, with a grain of salt, I continue...) That His flesh was from her flesh. When I read that, I always wondered because Mary would, of course, have two X chromosomes because she is female. Jesus, being male, would have an X and a Y. Where did that Y chromosome come from? Again, He's God and He can do whatever he pleases with His creation. But what I meant was that, if all the genetic material on the other 44 chromosomes were identical for "Jesus" and "Mary," well, that would be pretty weird. It would be like identical twins being born male and female. Impossible. But it would definitely be inexpicable on a human level. That's why I say I might be a little shaken by that. But I don't expect it to happen at all.
'Any biologists in the room who could explain this more clearly??
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"I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are our works! My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret." Ps 139
"Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men." Ps 140
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 09:02 pm |
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kimdyuma wrote: since it won't stand up to close scholarly scrutiny
It already hasn't. Remember the ossuary of James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus, that's already been discredited? It's from the same collection.
If it doesn't stand up to scholarly review, sensationalize it and get as many bucks as you can as quickly as possible. For the Discovery Channel, this is the Super Bowl. They'll have 10 times as many viewers as normally on a Sunday night. For the rest, it's a chance to make a few bucks.
For Satan, it's a chance to cherry-pick souls. He'll be the real winner.
I won't be watching.
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BodRod
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 09:15 pm |
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JillD,
My point was that if the samples are indentical, there can be no exceptions.
OR, to say it they other way, if there is an exception, they are not identical.
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BodRod
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Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2007 09:18 pm |
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<<<I won't be watching.>>>
Me neither. If I want ANY scientific information, I'll go to a scientist, not a show-biz guy!!!
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