Having re-read the thread, it occurs to me that some here might think from my posts that I believe there was no physical, historical Yeshua/Joshua/Jesus at that time and place about 2,000 years ago.

On the contrary, I do believe (though on what I consider logically unsatisfactory evidence) that such a man existed. Note that I said "believe", not "know". As I pointed out, I don't know of any contemporary independent historical corroboration.

Now I tend to disbelieve many of the incidents and characteristics attributed to that man. I will credit that he was a good man, a relatively learned man (addressed as "rabbi"), a sincere Jew, a committed purifier and shaker-up of the status quo of the Judaism of his time, evidently a persuasive speaker, and all-round charismatic leader. I'm told those things by the gospels, and they are all quite within the realm of believability; I have no particular reason to question those things, so I'll take them as given. But when we come to the virgin birth, various and sundry miracles, or his putative status as "the" son of God (as opposed to "a son of God"), it's a different matter, and I consider the burden of proof is on those who would persuade me of their truth. I have not in my 73 years seen, nor do I ever expect to see any such proof.

Dave Oesterreich