The big difference Jesus kept his beliefs and didn't run in the face of the enemy and was martyred for his faith.

Therefore he would never achieve the high profile and praise from those upholding Hicks as a martyr. Well, Hicks would have been a martyr, and a damn good one, if he hadn't been a coward and a liar and had had faith in his conversion to Islam. Instead he was just one more person who dug around until he could find justification for the psychopathic behavior he premeditated. Sadly like so many others, he found it in twisting religion to suit his personal ends and ran to those brethren who were looking for death. In the end -believing in nothing, failed utterly.

On Jesus's cross above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
As Jesus was dying his concern was for others "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

What is being writ for Hicks cross? They're certainly lining up to carry it for him. Those who also believe in nothing.

aqvarivs, you make a good point, Jesus concern was for others while Hicks concern was for himself. The good news is that despite the cowardly attacks throughout the centuries on Jesus His church continues to grow throughout the earth. Many believers are matyred simply for identifying with Him. Hicks has no followers just those who want to use his case to push their own little barrow. The Lord Jesus will continue to be worshipped as KING of KINGS while many will have to find another hero or political figure when Hicks usefullness to them is gone. Many of our journalist in the West are 'brave' in their mockings of the Lord Jesus and totally gutless when they won't even print cartoon mocking Mohammad. They are wise in their own eyes with their sneering.

DAVID HICKS SUPPORTERS ANSWER ME THIS:- If you had just won a gun battle with German soldiers and then rounded up the ones who surrendered, how would you prove in a court of law that any of them had actually been involved with the others in firing guns at you?

You dont see the faces of people who are firing guns at you from distances. So how could you identify any of them in a court of law?

If what you say about DAvid Hick's case is right then just the fact that the soldiers were captured with the enemy doesnt prove that they actually fired a gun at you.
That means if you tried any one of these German soldiers in a court
of law you would have to let them go as innocent and let them rejoin the German army again. You wont win any wars that way.

Jesus was killed because he had become a leader and was developing a huge following, an emerging leader who has the power to control huge groups of the population is always a threat to an occupying army just as in Iraq where a couple of the Holy leaders have basically become the leaders of military dissidents.

That is why religious intolerance exists not so much in opposition to religious beliefs as is the commonly held simplictic view, but in fear of the power of religions to muster huge armies and overthrow exsisting rulers.
As I often point out man kills not out of intolerance but out of fear of loss of territorial control.
The Jewish priests also feared the loss of their own control over the Jewish people and the easy income they recieved from religious donations and gifts to the church.

This has nothing to do with Hicks. It is interesting that some see this as loaded symbolism.

This was just an artistic representation. You could say that this could at worst be a postmodern or even revisionist piece of writing.

With these words, you know I have woken up Boazy. But this is only a style of presentation and it got people thinking.

When I think of the Jesus story without the "Thou's and Thine's and Begets" and other distractions, I find it much easier to relate to.

There are different interpretations of the Bible but this is just a style of presentation. There is nothing radical here at all.

Dear Yvonne... Jesus is made 'mincemeat' by many on OLO, and is regarded with the same disdain as He was on those days, by certain un-named elements here.

But you did make a very important statement mate... and regarding Jesus earlthy fate, if I may offer a statement of his, recorded for our edification and benefit.

"I came not to be served, but to serve, and give my life as a ransom for many" Mark 10:45

I found a most interesting reference in Luke, which is not found in any other gospel. It fits in with Lukes carefully presented understanding of Jesus (based on the Lords own words) as being 'fulfilment of scripture'.

To gain an insight about Lukes approach please read Luke 24:44-49.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapter=24&version=31

The unique reference of Luke is in connection with what are to some, rather enigmatic words about 'swords'.
Luke 22:36-37
[if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me.]

They key words here are 'numbered with the transgressors' which is a quote from Isaiah 53.12 which is the chapter where those glorious and gracious words are found:

5 "But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray,
each one has turned to his own way,
and the Lord has laid on Him, ...the iniquity of us all"

and this is the key to understanding Jesus role on earth.

Yes, they made mincemeat of Him... as Isaiah 52:14 says:

14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness.

Jesus was indeed declared 'guilty' by man, but it is we, who are the truly guilty ones. The Cross was Grace in action. Undeserved kindness.