James Cameron is coming out with a new documentary in which he claims the body of Jesus Christ has been discovered in an ancient tomb. I find the claim ridiculous. Please note that I critique his claim not because of it’s content, but because of it’s intellectual lameness. If someone presented credible evidence that Jesus Christ did not raise from the dead, that would pretty much cause me to leave the Christian faith. Such has never been presented, though. Anyway:
Cameron claims he has DNA evidence to backup his description of the body as that of Jesus Christ. Pretty obvious problem here: DNA only works as evidence if one has a credible sample with which to compare. Since no sample of Jesus’ DNA was preserved from his time on Earth, what could Cameron possibly be thinking? Probably something along the lines of “people are wowed by science, so I’ll appear more credible if I say I have DNA evidence”. 
I have some ocean-front property in Montana to sell, and I have ten scientists with DNA expertise who will vouch for what a great deal it is. In fact, they’ll do so in PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS!! (the gold standard of truth)
UPDATE 2.25.07: It seems that Cameron’s DNA claim is not that the body is that of THE Jesus, but that a “Mary” in the tomb is specifically not related by blood to the body labeled “Jesus” (both incredibly common names). In Dan Brown-esque fashion, he’s apprently pushing a marriage between Mary Magdalene and Jesus Christ. To put this in perspective, imagine someone 2000 years from now discovered side-by-side burial spots labeled George and Barbara. From this and little else, they inferred they had discovered the final resting place of Bush 41 and his wife. Amazing.
Posted by poppies
