Moses and Jesus, which one was real?

[davefoc]

Who is more likely to have been an actual historical figure, Jesus or Moses?

For the purposes of this poll historical figure is interpreted as this:
Jesus:
1. Person existed that served as inspiration for at least some of biblical Jesus stories.
2. At least some aspect of biblical stories about him must be true. Perhaps, the sermon on the mount, or maybe the "he who is without sin, cast the first stone" story.

Moses:
1. Must have been leader of a group of people that moved eventually into what is approximately Israel.
2. Must have been born in what is roughly Egypt.
3. Lived in approximately timeframe attributed to Moses.

My own cut at this, is that it is more likely that Jesus was an actual historical figure, but I think there's a strong case to be made that he wasn't.

My cut at the Moses story is that it is made up in its entirety. There is no archaeological evidence of large encampments in the desert suggesting no 40 years of wandering in the desert. There is no contemporary Egyptian writings about him. And he predated the writing about him by hundreds of years.

 

[davefoc]

Please ignore this thread. The same topic with the poll attached is here:
http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33709

 

[triadboy]

Who is more likely to have been an actual historical figure, Jesus or Moses?

For the purposes of this poll historical figure is interpreted as this:
Jesus:
1. Person existed that served as inspiration for at least some of biblical Jesus stories.
2. At least some aspect of biblical stories about him must be true. Perhaps, the sermon on the mount, or maybe the "he who is without sin, cast the first stone" story.

I think if there was a Jesus, The Sayings (Q) are the only thing remaining. The life stories were formulated along the same lines as other mythic traditions. (i.e. Dionysus changes water to wine - Jesus changes water to wine, etc.)

Moses:
1. Must have been leader of a group of people that moved eventually into what is approximately Israel.
2. Must have been born in what is roughly Egypt.
3. Lived in approximately timeframe attributed to Moses.

My own cut at this, is that it is more likely that Jesus was an actual historical figure, but I think there's a strong case to be made that he wasn't.

My cut at the Moses story is that it is made up in its entirety. There is no archaeological evidence of large encampments in the desert suggesting no 40 years of wandering in the desert. There is no contemporary Egyptian writings about him. And he predated the writing about him by hundreds of years.

Agree. Also, Moses' mythic birth adventure is VERY similar to Sargon.