If you've kept up with news, this shouldn't be new

[NiX]

Discovery Channel's The Lost Tomb of Jesus Reveals New Scientific Evidence Supporting Possible Find of Jesus Family Tomb
Sunday February 25, 12:43 pm ET
-- Award-Winning Filmmakers James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici Chronicle Investigation of 2,000-year-old Artifacts Related to Jesus of Nazareth and Mary Magdalene --


SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientific analysis of limestone ossuaries (bone boxes) and physical evidence found in a 2,000-year- old tomb in Talpiot, Jerusalem, provide credible new information that the tomb once may have held the remains of Jesus of Nazareth and his family. A new Discovery Channel documentary THE LOST TOMB OF JESUS, from executive producer James Cameron and director Simcha Jacobovici, exclusively reveals what might be the greatest archaeological find in history. The film presents the latest evidence from world-renowned experts in Aramaic script, ancient DNA analysis, forensics, archaeology and statistics. Among the major discoveries chronicled in the program is new evidence that Jesus and Mary Magdalene, also known as "Mariamene e Mara," may have had a son named Judah.
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A press conference will be held by Discovery Channel on Monday, February 26, at 11:00 am in New York City. At that time, what are thought to be the ossuaries of Jesus of Nazareth and Mary Magdalene will be unveiled. (To register for the press conference and receive location information, please call 212- 751-3342.)

In attendance will be Jane Root, president and general manager of Discovery Channel; James Cameron and; Professor James Tabor, chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Dr. Shimon Gibson, archaeologist with the Albright Institute; Professor Andrey Feuerverger, professor of statistics and mathematics at the University of Toronto; and Dr. Charles Pellegrino, co-author of The Jesus Family Tomb.

THE LOST TOMB OF JESUS, which premieres on Sunday, March 4, at 9 PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel, follows an investigative journey into the identities of and relationships among 10 ossuaries, which originally were discovered more than 25 years ago but never were connected conclusively. In conjunction with the film, HarperSanFrancisco is publishing a companion book, The Jesus Family Tomb, co-authored by Jacobovici and Dr. Charles Pellegrino, with a foreword by Cameron.

The Talpiot tomb originally held 10 ossuaries, nine of which are still within the Israel Antiquity Authority's domain. Six of the limestone bone boxes that served as First Century Jerusalem-area coffins include inscriptions of names found in the New Testament - "Jesus son of Joseph," "Maria," "Mariamene e Mara," "Matthew," "Yose" and "Judah son of Jesus."

"This has been a three-year journey that seems more incredible than fiction," says Jacobovici. "The idea of possibly finding the tomb of Jesus and several members of his family, with compelling scientific evidence, is beyond anything I could have imagined."

"It doesn't get bigger than this," says Cameron. "We've done our homework; we've made the case; and now it's time for the debate to begin."

"Discovery Channel brings our worldwide audience the latest information about life's enduring mysteries through the network's extensive funding of scientific research and analysis," says Root. "It is an honor to be part of what might be the most important discovery in history. This program provides viewers with the latest forensic evidence, information about the Talpiot tomb, and important historical context. We invite viewers to review the facts, engage in discussion, and come to their own conclusions."

Could this have been a holy tomb for Jesus and his family? Evidence shows the following:


- Leading epigraphers agree about the text inscriptions;
- Expert archaeologists confirm the nature of the finds and their
historical relevance;
- The tomb contains a mysterious symbol over the entrance found on other
Christian artifacts; and
- A statistical study concludes that the odds - on the most conservative
basis - are 600 to 1 in favor of this being the Jesus family tomb.

Dr. Carney Matheson from the Paleo-DNA Laboratory at Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada, conducted a mitochondrial DNA analysis on microscopic bits of matter recovered from the "Jesus son of Joseph" and "Mariamene e Mara" ossuaries. The test genetically concludes that the two were not maternally related. Given that this was a family burial place reserved for spouses and blood relations, it is possible to deduce that they were a couple.

As shown in the film, Jacobovici and his team use robotic cameras to locate the tomb, which was believed to have been destroyed but is actually in the center of a modern-day apartment complex. After briefly entering the tomb, the filmmakers follow local regulations and seal the tomb with the hopes that they will return to conduct further analysis.

For further reading: <a href='http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17328478/site/newsweek/' target='_blank'>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17328478/site/newsweek/</a>

[Goat]

Nice, this is interesting. Now I get the feeling that a lot of people will debate regarding these topics.

[J.E_Magog]

I'l call this The second coming of christ

[R.Leonhardt]

Ever since that stupid Fiction "Da vince Code" was released,everyone keeps believing that Christ and Mary M. are somehow like lovers or something,didn't they read the book,it sez "FICTION"

[NiX]

Oh and by the way, if you want a more neutral take on this, read the newsweek article that I linked.

[Grim]

Interesting.

I'll try to catch the special on Discovery when it shows again, I'm not sure if I missed it already.

But yeah, anything regarding religion, and especially the figure of Jesus Christ, is bound to stir up a storm.

<!--QuoteBegin-msnbc.msn.com+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (msnbc.msn.com)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->With the help of statisticians, archeologists, historians, DNA experts, robot-camera technicians, epigraphers and a CSI expert from New York's Long Island, Jacobovici puts together a case in which he argues that the bones of Jesus, Mary and Mary Magdalene, along with some of their lesser-known relatives, were once entombed in this cave. James Charlesworth of the Princeton Theological Seminary consulted with Jacobovici on the project and is intrigued: "A very good claim could be made that this was Jesus' clan." Faced with the controversial theological and historical implications of what he calls his "rediscovery," Jacobovici is sanguine. "People will have to believe what they want to believe," he says.[/quote:19e4c70666]
True.

[NiX]

Just to clarify: That March 4 schedule there applies to Discovery U.S.

Dunno when they're gonna air this documentary on Discovery Asia though.

And here's my take on the topic:

Alright, fine, if they prove that Jesus was entombed, yep that would destroy the entire basis for the Catholic religion, end of story, so I won't bother with that. But maybe in some way, such proof might be beneficial.

BUT if they do prove that Jesus was married and had a son, what would be wrong with that? If Jesus had a son with a woman that was legally married to him, would it make him any less holy? Does engaging in marital sexual intercourse make a person any less holy, even if that person were the son of God? I don't think so. It is the Church itself that teaches that matrimony is holy.

So what are people so worked up about? Stupid notions.

And just as a disclaimer: I am not anti-Christ, anti-Christian, or anything like that. I happen to be fully confident in the existence of a supreme being. The thing that is difficult for me to have faith in, however, is organized religion.

[Grim]

<!--QuoteBegin-NiX+Mar 4 2007, 08:19 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (NiX @ Mar 4 2007, 08:19 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> BUT if they do prove that Jesus was married and had a son, what would be wrong with that? If Jesus had a son with a woman that was legally married to him, would it make him any less holy? Does engaging in marital sexual intercourse make a person any less holy, even if that person were the son of God? I don't think so. [/quote:821e66b445]
Exactly. I couldn't have put it any better.

<!--QuoteBegin-NiX+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (NiX)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->So what are people so worked up about? Stupid notions.[/quote:821e66b445]
This part, however, is something which I believe is only amplified, or worse, made by the media frenzy surrounding such news. I think if people were left to think for themselves alone, devoid of any sensationalism brought about by outside forces, many would actually be able to come to terms with it. Of course there'll still be the occasional the-world-is-going-to-end-because-Jesus-had-offspring cult types, but most would probably see through that.

[NiX]

<!--QuoteBegin-Mix+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Mix)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I think if people were left to think for themselves alone, devoid of any sensationalism brought about by outside forces, many would actually be able to come to terms with it. Of course there'll still be the occasional the-world-is-going-to-end-because-Jesus-had-offspring cult types, but most would probably see through that.[/quote:f64f6eb181]

Good sir, I hope you're right.

[Lord_Leperman]

I doubt it'll be as easy as that. Religious fundamentalisim is pretty vocal and touchy-feely about material that attacks their beliefs and ideoloogies. They will find a way to somehow voice their feelings on this mater, which I predict would include some mud-slinging on the credibility of the scientists involved in this research, and a call to some crusade they'll pull out of their heads.

However, I believe in the human capacity to simply look at these things objectively and as they are regardless of the discovery's impact on religious dogma, I just hope this doesn't turn into a conflicting zone for another science vs. religion debate.

[NiX]

Rick, OF COURSE that's what will happen.

But what's so sad is how science and religion can never seem to see eye to eye when the connections between them are... right on their faces.

[Lord_Leperman]

I've always thought that religion was just there to help people sleep at night. I'm talking about letting unexplained phenomena in society, or in ones life, being atributed to supernatural phenomena inexplainable by man, and there's an institution in charge of explaining that particular source of supernatural intervention called religion.

Science on the other hand, explains things through tests and deals with facts. It explains phenomena through the use of variables and a strict scientific method of data gathering and see if such event can be replicated with varying conditions.

We see the difference quickly as both provide explainations for phenomena through different methods. Science has mostly proven itself by being able to replicate phenomena, while religion still seems to have a long way to go when it comes to credibility and accuracy. This is why I believe that both can't be truly and completely reconciled at the moment, as they're both worlds apart from each other.

But still, one can hope that they'd finally, and fully complement each other.

*I'm sleepy, I might not be making sense or I've totaly missed the point of what the topic/you are saying. Please ignore if unrelated. My apologies in advance*

EDIT: After re-reading my post I've concluded that my serious post is so serious

[NiX]

Actually, they do compliment each other in some ways.

Some of the greatest scientists, as they learned more, became even more convinced that a supreme being HAS to exist. Cases in point: Newton, Einstein. Then again, Hawking had his own (convincing) ideas. But ANYWAY, as an example, the big bang theory in itself needs a supreme being to be complete.

And religion can use Science to show that the vastness of the universe cannot simply be coincidence.

But meh. I say we were made by the Xel'Naga!

[wanzerfreak]

there's a big ac garage in the sky run by the almighty super-PLOW ninebreaker

[Goat]

Who should be god? Nineball or Leos Klein?!?!