Bonnie, Scripture states quite clearly that the universe was created in seven days, that woman was created from a man's rib, that everyone spoke the same language until the unfortunate incident at Babel - do you accept that those things happened, too?

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion was composed with the sole aim of discrediting the Jewish people. The Gospels were written with the main aim of spreading the good news about God redeeming mankind through his only son. I would suggest that while that was their main aim, it was not their only aim. You are willing to apply your knowledge of human nature to the Jewish authorities of the day. Are you also willing to apply your knowledge of human nature to the authors of the Gospels, who were, after all, human?

If so, then consider this: the occupying Romans are making life miserable for the Jews. They are also making life miserable for the Christians, whom they view as just some other kind of Jew. You're writing up the life story of Jesus. If you pin the blame for his persecution and death squarely on the Romans, you are asking for trouble. If you blame it on the Jews, maybe you can put a little distance between yourself and them, and get the Romans off your backs. Who exactly it was that wanted Jesus dead won't make any difference to your message that Jesus died for our sins So, knowing what you know of human nature, is it plausible that there was a secondary, political aim to the Gospels? Does it strain credibility?

Howard, Christianity changes with time. There was a time when Christianity (or, at least, Roman Catholicism) was anti-heliocentric. To affirm the Earth's revolution around the Sun was heresy, and one could find oneself seriously dead for one's efforts. Eventually, Christianity decided that its anti-heliocentric parts were not essential to its central message. It rejected them, and we are all the better for that.

Christianity is not antisemitic, but some portions of the Gospel story are. Perhaps some day Christians will decide that those parts are not essential to its central message, and will reject them, and stop singing about them. We will all be the better for that.