John the Baptist Cave Discovered Near Jerusalem

[Petra]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...n_041205191050

A British archaeologist has uncovered a cave in the mountains near Jerusalem which he believes conclusively proves that the Biblical figure of John the Baptist existed.

[...]

Gibson, who holds a degree from University College London and has written several works on Biblical archaeology, believes the discovery to be "the first archaeological proof of the historical veracity of the Gospels".


Other archaeologists, however, believe Gibson's conclusions go too far, and that the discovery of an ancient place of worship linked to John the Baptist does not prove that he actually existed.

What do you think?


Personally, I don't think it proves beyond reasonable doubt that J the B existed; it only proves that the legend, and rituals associated with the legend, existed in ancient Israel.

As to proving "the veracity of the Gospels", I don't think it does any such thing. How does a cave with a few drawings prove the veracity of the Gospels or the divine?

[Roland98]

This is actually old news. I'm not sure why they're reviving the story again; AFAIK, there's nothing new in it from when it first ran a few months ago. As for my opinions on it, I completely agree with you.

[Clutch Munny]

It's unqualified bullshit, which is what the "other archaeologists" were saying in otherarchaeologese. A cave with wall-carvings that might be depictions of the JBap story is moderately suggestive of the existence of the JBap story. Why the pictures should suggest that there was any such person, still less that the cave was "his", is left curiously obscure. (Is the idea that John carved them there himself after having his head cut off?)

No remotely serious intellectual of any stripe would say such a thing. The key to the puzzle, perhaps, is in the final lines of the story. Those holy sites have turned eyepopping profits ever since Constantine's sainted mother first started lucking into them -- with her first guess every time, would you believe.

[Petra]

Oh, I didn't realise it was old news! Sorry 'bout that.

I wonder if it's been revived because Xmas is near.


I think you've pretty much summed it up, Clutch. Prophets = profits.


I wonder if this Gibson guy is related to Mel and/or supported by the Isreali Ministry of Tourism.

[wade-w]

The way I see it, even if this find could be conclusively linked to John the Baptist and could somehow prove he actually lived, that still says nothing about the validity or otherwise of the Gospels. After all, archeologists uncovered Troy back in the 19th century, complete with indications of a seige. The Minoan Labyrinth has also been found. I don't see anyone claiming that means the pagan Greek pantheon was real, or that Theseus really did slay a Minotaur.

[seebs]

If Theseus didn't really slay the Minotaur, then where is it now!

[wade-w]

Originally Posted by seebs

If Theseus didn't really slay the Minotaur, then where is it now!

/me laughs

[beyelzu]

Originally Posted by seebs

If Theseus didn't really slay the Minotaur, then where is it now!

empty labyrinth, empty labyrinth, lets all worship zeus.

[Dingfod]

Originally Posted by seebs

If Theseus didn't really slay the Minotaur, then where is it now!

OK, now I'm scared. The woods up behind my house are very dark right now.[cue eerie music]

*gasp* I just heard a twig snap and something that sounded like a grunt.