You've no doubt heard that on March 4th, famous Hollywood director James Cameron will be releasing a documentary about a "recently" discovered ossuary containing {ahem} the remains of Jesus Christ, his wife (Mary Magdalen), and their son. In his press conference, Mr. Cameron detailed how the names inscribed on the plot and some DNA evidence prove {Must contain gag reflex} statistically that this is most likely the tomb of the Jesus of the Bible.
I have to admit, I'm a fan of Mr. Cameron's moves: The Terminator, Aliens--classic SciFi, baby. But this…C'mon. He doesn't need to do this kind of sensational ploy to make $$$. Just make another Aliens movie.
But really, I'm concerned that once again, the press and media will hype this out of context and the same gullible people who were duped by the DaVinci Code will jump on this bandwagon too. Don't let it go there please.
Here's a great response I found on {of all places} Yahoo Answers:
But Bar Ilan University Professor Amos Kloner, a former IAA archaeologist who oversaw the excavation 27 years ago and has authored detailed reports on the findings, said the IAA was "very foolish" to loan the ossuaries.
"There is no likelihood that Jesus and his relatives had a family tomb," said Kloner.
"They were a Galilee family with no ties in Jerusalem. The Talpiot tomb belonged to a middle-class family from the first century CE [Common Era]," he said.
During an interview with the film's producers, Kloner said that "Jesus, son of Joseph" inscriptions had been found on several other ossuaries in Israel, along with the other names.
"It makes a great story for a TV film," said Kloner, "but it's impossible. It's nonsense."
That about says it all....
So much for the sensation.
But I say, Cheer Mr. Cameron's efforts. Once again, people of all ilks will be talking about Jesus. And when they open up the subject…
