Some Jesus Mythicists see arguments for the existence of Jesus as being based on Christian belief. Christians are forced to grasp at any hope that Jesus might have been real or else their faith falls apart. However true that statement may or may not be, responses to the Jesus Myth come not just from Christian circles.
The Jesus Myth Theory has been attractive within atheist circles. Hugh Harris admits: “For atheists, the idea has obvious appeal – with this truth-bomb we can dismiss Christianity outright.” I know if I was an atheist again, I would find it appealing.
But Harris goes on to say: “The argument fails on several key measures.” In his article, he outlines the reasons why atheist and others should not embrace the Jesus Myth. The arguments are not based on devotion to Jesus but reliance on historical method. I am in general agreement with all of Harris’s arguments, even if I might want to dialogue some of the finer details.
I encourage you to read Hugh Harris’s article Challenging the Jesus myth theory from the Rationale website.
