I tend to think Richard Carrier is right about Jesus. It seems very likely that it started as the concept of a celestial, sacrificial, messianic figure and the tale evolved by the time of the gospels to be a flesh-and-blood person. It wouldn't bother me if Jesus were a historical figure (and in many ways I'd prefer it, because we'd have a shot at learning a lot more about who he was and what he did), but historians seem to accept the effect of the stories (the gospels, the letters, etc.) and the proliferation of the religion as proof that Jesus existed. That seems very much like saying that the spread of Scientology through L. Ron Hubbard as prophet is proof of the existence of the overlord Xenu, or that the existence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as promoted by Joseph Smith is proof for the existence of Mormon and Moroni. Just because a story has influence doesn't mean the story itself is literally true. So, I suspect — but cannot confirm — that Jesus is merely a fictional figure that became the basis for a religion as the stories morphed and grew.

I went with one big lie.

If he was doing all of this miraculous stuff, his name should have been in every damn book written at that time.
Only the bible guys got an exclusive on that story? Ok.

There’s a lot we don’t know and may never know. Rather than guess, I’d prefer to focus on what I know. He was the central character in a book that had arguably the most widespread and most long lived effect on the human population of any book ever written. The question becomes... why? What is it about human psychology that resonates so profoundly with this story, regardless of whether he was real or fiction?

I think it's possible he was the Gandhi or MLK of his time. History just made him more.

Jesus is a blunt instrument used by the unscrupulous to beat people's psyches.

When I say OTHER, it is because to me Jesus most likely did not exist at all; so I was inclined to say one big lie or fictional zombie. However; there is a possibility that many embellished stories of many characters are responsible for the story of Jesus; not unlike Pecos Bill or Paul Bunyon So the embellished answer also resonated with me...so I had to say other. Just because I have to admit I have not done the research necessary to have a definitive stance...just my feelings based on what I do know and have heard.

Jesus backwards (susej) sounds like sausage.
I don't know what to make of the character, 1%wise, 72% contradiction, 27% nutter that argued with a tree, 100% unbelievable.

The perfect product for brainwashing people and damaging them mentally and emotionally. Even some of the things he said and did wasn’t always kind.

Oh yeah ....Jesus. He's the guy who ...uh...died for our sins, right ?

And did a zombie thing after that, and popped out of a cave, so kids could eat jelly beans ?

He was kinda cute - with a beard and long hair, and sandals.
Looked like a lot of my hippie friends !

Fictional character in a very old book of fiction.

He really hurt me... I'm sure he is the story of him. I imagine hes hurt a lot of people asking why.

Millions of people believe. If he actually lived, this has been going on for over 2000 years. If he actually lived, he's the most influential person who ever lived. If not, the person or people who created his story are the best bullshit artists ever.

We know from characters like Joel Olsteen that some people are fully ruthless enough to use the beliefs of their followers to gain power for themselves.

It looks like Jesus might have attempted to do the same, to gain power, wealth and influence. Unfortunately for him, the Romans were having none of it.

A myth...

[en.wikipedia.org]

The late Dave Allen sort of sums up my thoughts on the matter..

Jeff Foxworthy lookin mutha fucka.

He may have existed. Perhaps in the glorified evangelist, snake oil will heal you kind of way. I also believe mental illness existed. So was Jesus and his homies all a part of writer’s imagination, or perhaps it was real and events were exaggerated to set guidelines and manipulate behavior to a specific point of view? Could be. But I could be wrong.

A dude that fixes my kitchen cabinetry with his plethora of carpenter tools and skillz to pay the (holy) bills!

Think the last Christain died on the cross.

Interviewer: “You accept the historical existence of Jesus?” Einstein: “Unquestionably. No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life. How different, for instance, is the impression which we receive from an account of legendary heroes of antiquity like Theseus. Theseus and other heroes of his type lack the authentic vitality of Jesus.” †

Key word is myth.

Jesus used a lot of magic mushrooms and marijuana for medicine. If they were not high on drugs, they were high on Jesus. Perhaps many Stories of Jesus were true, it is the widespread of wrong translations makes it all flawed.

Christianity has demonstrated time and again it's art of assimilation and melding. They don't just adsorb be the holiday, they blend the traits into Jesus(or if the can't they declare it a saint). Jesus is just the archetype of the good guy, but was probably mostly based on some relaxed guy who just didn't want to have any issues with anyone.

Our mental institutions are full of people with delusional fantasies of grandeur. Few, however, proclaim themselves to be the son of god, perform "miracles" or claim to have risen from the dead. That makes Jesus, if there ever was such a person, an extreme case of severe mental disorder. Though obviously the world is still full of gullible people 2,000 years ago mysticism, ignorance and superstition were the cultural norm. It was not too difficult for an expert flim-flam man to gain notoriety and gather a "flock." I almost chose "Other" because sometimes I wonder if the character "Jesus" was not a visiting alien who violated the prime directive of not interfering in the progression of any culture he might come across in his galactic travels and left a mess here after his brief visit and "ascending unto heaven." Whether a mental case or a rogue alien he planted seeds that have become the most noxious of weeds to torment and slow the progress of mankind.

Nothing

Aim for the head!!!!

Jebus wasn't a Zombie

no smoke without fire. there is a hell of a lot of smoke, however.