Patty Jr.......the point I was making is that your side (the anti-religious,; irreligious; atheists)has brought the most suffering....in fact, more bloodshed and suffering in the twentieth century than in all previous centuries combined, yet I would never hold you personally responsible for what some of your fellow-travellers have done. I usually find that when people rant on about all the religious wars I ask them which religious wars they have in mind and that usually shuts them up. Of course there has been blood spilt and suffering caused in the past by some followers of Christ but nothing compared to what your lot has done. So, let those who live in glass houses not throw stones. It's interesing that you cite a web-site re the treeatment of Jews by the Nazis........I reiterate, read Rabbi David Dalin's recent book: The Myth of Hitler's Pope. How Pope Pius XII Rescued Jews from the Nazis....www.lewrockwell.com/woods/woods48.html (I'm sure a Jewish Rabbi would be fairly objective and independent). Don't forget, the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide is approaching (tomorrow?) upon which Hitler modelled his genocidal intentions re the Jews. (Who remembers the Armenians?) It intrigues me that the irreligious etc, like yourself, refuse to acknowledge the misery and suffering, death and destruction that your beliefs have brought to humanity. You say that you attack all religions.....well so did the atheistic Soviet atheistic communists....and with brutality; as did the irreligious Mauo Tse-tung as did numerous other despots throughout histroy. Finally, I don't feel that I have to kill another human being.....what a stupid statement! I haven't killed anyone since the last time!

Patty Jr. Satanic Feminist and Francis,
By this time you have both got your point across. I am not sure how it relates to Easter?

I remember a vilified Jewish stonemason whose country was occupied by the Romans who seemed to express more sympathy for the irreligious Romans than for his zealous countrymen; who were devout lawkeepers. He being a rebel against the intollerance shown by his religious countrymen, they finally had him accused of blasphemy and crucified by Roman guards on the side of a road. Perhaps we can share some compassion to those ignorant of our position. They may crucify us but that leaves forgivness and reconciliation as open doors.

Philo, thank you. Your post is a breath of fresh air.

Who was the 'vilified stonemason'?

Was he a friend of the 'vilified Carpenter'?

Tregenna

tregenna,
I recognise popular opinion and Hollywood portray Jesus, as a carpenter in wood but this seems unlikely. From research done in Nazareth during the time very little timber was used in building which makes it more likely that Jesus was a builder using stone and mortar.

Hewn stones were the major resource of builders during that period. Even utensils were fashioned from stone [John 2: 6]; graves were hewn from stone [Matt 27: 60 – 66; Luke 23: 53]. Jesus disciples drew Jesus attention to the beauty of the stonework in the Temple, thinking he would appreciate its mastery [Mark 13: 1 – 2]. Anyone visiting Israel today knows well the importance of stone to the ancient city.

Joseph was a ‘tekton’ [Matt 13: 55], one who uses a hammer and chisel. The Sources outside the NT verify the Romans had employed Joseph for several months building a Stone construction before he returned to take Mary as his wife, but found she was six months pregnant; he immediately knew the child was not his because he had been away. If we take the line that Jesus followed Joseph’s trade profession it would put him among builders of stone and not among timber furniture manufacturers.

In Jesus 'word pictures' he constantly refers to stones eg stones instead of bread [Matt 7: 9], used millstones as a sinker [Matt 18: 6], base of a building [Matthew 21: 42; Mark 12: 10] stone walls formed a sheep fold, water-pots of stone, sepulchre etc. Jesus never alludes to constructions of timber. Being an artisan he would naturally refer to things with which he was familiar. The falling stone was a familiar occurrence in his work [Matt 21: 44], and the destruction of the city by the enemy was the scattering of the stone buildings [Matt 24: 2].
As well as identifying Simon as a stone [John 1: 42] and the sons of Abraham [Luke 3: 8] he identifies himself as the chief corner stone [Luke 20: 17]. Peter follows up Jesus analogy by identifying Jesus as the chief corner stone [Acts 2: 11]

Philo, who are you? Are you a man of God? You have an analytical ability that goes beyond the ordinary. Of course Jesus was a stone mason and not a carpenter. It makes so much sense. There was a shortage of wood. Humans had to import or travel a great distance to acquire wood. One more inconsistency in the official Biblical version.
That is why I hold fast to the idea that a humans beliefs are personal. A relationship with your creator is personal. Should be respected as such. Not judged, because it does not conform to accepted dogma.
If you are judged by authority let that judgement come as a result of a breaking of humanistic, not religious law.