Was Jesus Christ Married?

Mr Gill,

It is not a matter of any motives ulterior or not. It is a matter of the ridiculous and cheap (not necessarily you) intellectuals who make crows out of feathers, cause dissent and earn infamy (believing it to be fame). What difference did it make if Christ had a wife or a lover? If it jingles your bells, please continue to research the topic.

However, a hocus pocus literature penned 3 centuries after his death wont give you any reliable clues to his marital status.

As far as religion`s role. Eastern thoughts/religions have a better grasp on the purpose of religion. It is for better individual progress as human beings. It has soothed me and helped me in hard times. If people use it for perversity, it shouldn`t be negated all together. Science should be banned too because it has played roles in advancement and destruction of humanity as well.


Regards,

KS.

The western cultural norm of ``disrespect`` and the subhuman culture that atheists promote makes my stomach turn. I do not understand the fascination of atheists with being at the level of primates. What is wrong with being respectful and loving to your fellow human beings. If being caustic is the only way of getting heard then, there is something sickeningly wrong with this culture.

bjkumar:
Like others, you believe, I am waging a vendetta against religion - any religion. I know that religion will remain in the world for ever; it will evolve like other natural phenomena but it will remain in one form or the other because majority of the people believe that they need it.
I had explained in some detail why I had chosen to write on Christ`s marriage in my last interact; there was no other ulterior motive. I hate ulterior motives. The persona of historical Christ is shrouded in mystery. The concept of virgin birth, for instance, is quite unreal and completely incredible. Hadn`t it tickled your inquisitiveness what makes people believe in it? You don`t have to be necessarily anti-Christ to ponder on such issues; you can do so with an open mind. Similarly, why do you believe in your religious doctrines, if you believe in a religion? You don`t need to depend on what others tell you to believe. Can`t we think about these issues dispassionately? The logic that since religion A is unrealistic or morally bad hence religion B should necessarily be true is fallacious.
Most of the interactors are possessed by anti-Islamic feelings and the others suffer from Hinduphobia, which is ridiculous. A fairminded researcher doesn`t write with a mission to oppose a viewpoint, a belief, a religion, if you will, at all costs. He (she) is more interested in finding out the truth. I do not choose the topics of my articles with the intention of waging a dedicated war against a viewpoint.
Hope this will enable you to understand better why I write and what I write.
Mohammad Gill

hamidm #2 &10

Jesus Christ...you had me laughing aloud in my office...God bless you!

Author, your interact #12 is more illuminating and perhaps more interesting than the body of the main article. Had you not drafted your original write-up for a different publication, it could have been part of the text – it would have been consistent with your by now familiar style, and it certainly would have allowed a less abrupt opening than we see here. However, if the hidden purpose of this article was to stimulate curious thinking in minds of individual members of the ummah in a stealthy way – that very stealth ensures its fate of futility. From all accounts, the types of individuals who consider themselves “defenders of Islam” (and sometimes masquerade as “defenders of Pakistan” – while touting the oxymoronic canard of a “secular” Pakistan) are likely to jump even upon the shadow of a doubt. As you imply, openness to ideas of others is simply one aspect of a generally open mind. As indicated to others, this interactor’s understanding of Islam is minimal, and this interactor, like most people of the world, tends to judge by the actions of some of its adherents and to a lesser extent by what can be (rather unkindly) called the moral cowardice of those adherents who in their hearts know better – but refuse to say so and chose to become part of the problem. It can be argued that you are providing vague hints of light to individuals who have chosen not to see it, who like it that way, and who will not allow anybody to dispute the issue of light or darkness, either. Also, you have chosen a “safe” topic – the chances of the “devoted” Christians coming after you or causing you any harm are minimal. It has been said that members of the Christian faith are like sitting ducks – only capable of gentle protests. It is a different story with the Muslim world (if there is such a thing) – as Salman Rushdie found out the hard way. A few vocal members of the mullahcracy can come after the “doubters” with swords while the vast masses simply collude by staying more silent than a dead door-nail. In fairness to you, at least you are not trying to create fake “culprits” from the past like certain “authors” and interactors at this site frequently do – to provide cover to inexcusable deeds of dead demagogues who nurtured those very seeds of “exclusivity” which bring us to this juncture – and who essentially sold their children to a life of slavery without shedding a single tear drop!

Re: # 9

Fear of Mulavis is wide-spread, even Primi Minister of Pakistan has to declare he is not

Here is what Quran says about ``Mutawafika``

[2:235] And as for those of you who die and leave wives behind, these (wives) shall wait concerning themselves for four months and ten days. And when they have reached the end of their period, no blame shall be attached to you concerning anything that they do with regard to themselves in a decent manner. And Allah is Aware of what you do.

So if you ``mutawafika`` and leave your wife behind and she has to wait for 4 months and 10 days before getting marrying again, as you are not going to come back,

Then you can ask your Mulavi Sahib why jesus is alive up there; if it is the fear of being labelled Qadiani. Also, you can ask Mulvi Sahib why Quran at thirty places mean death for ``mutawafi`` but for jesus it is going up alive to heaven? and that is the only place where your Mulvi sahib insists this word means going up alive. One Last question you ask your Mulvi Sahib, Why Ibn-Abaas, cousin of our Prophet Hadrat Muhammad Sal-ullah-ho-Wa Alahi Wasallam beleived that Jesus had died, as narrated in Sahih Bokhari.

Beware, you will be labelled Qadiani before getting any answer. If this is not clear in Quan, then what is clear.

Is Islam really not clear about death of Jesus?

I couldn`t care less if he was married or not! After all founders of world religions were married. prophet Muhammad few times, Buddha once, Then Moses- I understand several with concubines.

What is important is their message to the followers and the actual practice and not words.
Kamath

Off course Jesus was married, Here is the pciture of real off-spring of Jesus, as posted on Yahoo few days ago.

His real off-springs are in sri-nagar, Kashmir, as reported on May 16, 2006.

http://travel.news.yahoo.com/b/rba_daily/20060516/rba_daily/rba_daily4337

Interactors:

According to a news item, the film “The Da Vinci Code” is banned in Pakistan. In the west, majority of the people have trivialized it calling it ‘fiction’ and ‘fictional.’ The book (and the movie) is a work of fiction in as much as the story in the book is fiction. The critics are calling the issues regarding Jesus and Mary Magdalene and other relating to Christian beliefs fictional. This may not be completely correct.
People in the west are usually inquisitive not only about religion but about every thing. People in the Muslim world, on the other hand, are not inclined to read (what to say of writing any thing) any thing which goes against the traditional beliefs. An insignificant minority which is inquisitive about these matters is simply shut up; they are not allowed to articulate their critical views.
My interest in Christianity began when I started reading Bishop (retired) John Shelby Spong’s books. He has criticized and rejected many fundamental orthodox beliefs of Christianity, such as, the virgin birth, Immaculate Conception, Jesus’ resurrection after death and ascension, concept of a theistic God, etc., etc. I published an article titled “Bishop Spong’s Critique of the Traditional Christianity,” at chowk.com on January 10, 2005. I published a review of his book “A New Christianity for a New World” at chowk.com on August 22, 2004.

After Dan Brown’s book “The Da Vinci Code” was published, I was intrigued by its reviews by numerous critics. So, I borrowed the book from an area library and read it cover to cover, I published an article “Brouha’ha on The Da Vinci Code” at chowk.com on March 28, 2005. From this book, I came to know of Mary Magdalene and his position with Jesus Christ. Brown was sued in a court of law on the charge of plagiarism (from Holy Blood – Holy Grail); the suit was eventually resolved in Brown’s favor. The question whether Mary Magdalene was Jesus’ wife was debated in the press, news media and it was topic of many books. I was again intrigued and wanted to find some more about the subject. The article under discussion is the result of that quest.
After writing this article, my search continued (still continues). On searching the Internet, I learnt that William Phipps had published a book titled “Was Jesus Married” (quite close to my title of the essay) in 1970. I tried checking if this book was available in any nearby library. In most of the libraries, the book was checked out. It was available in only one library which was at quite a distance from my house (about 15 miles one way); I didn’t have the heart to go there.
I came to know of another book “Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene” by Bart D. Ehrman. My search revealed that this book was also checked out in most of the libraries but was available in the same distant library. It appeared as if every one was reading about Mary Magdalene.
One day, I gathered courage and went to the distant library and borrowed these books.
Majority of the people in the Muslim world are not inclined to read critical reviews of religious issues. Anybody who questions about these issues is considered a blasphemer. Why do we shut the minds of the people? After all, religion is more important than any thing else in the Muslim world, or so it appears. Why are we so defensive about religion?
I am planning to write some more articles about Christianity based on my current critical studies about it. My intent is not to hurt any sensibilities and that is the reason that my style of composition is usually neutral and not deprecatory. There are readers who believe it is pointless to write on these issues. My suggestion to them is not to waste their time reading such articles. I am addressing the readers who have open minds.
Mohammad Gill

Re: # 3
> So it doesn`t matter Jesus was married or not when God didn`t care to give him the status
> more than a Imam...
Yeah right ....

After all - how can one even compare Jesus with Mo.. Lets see JC`s score:
Paedophilia = 0
War = 0
Beheadings = 0
Rape = 0
Robbery = 0
And the worst of all - decides to sacrifice himself - so that others can learn from his life...

I see dame, where you are coming from ...

JESUS ROCKS



JESUS ROCKS

Well, i see no serious comments on a good researched article.

This issue brought to light by Mr Brown has to be looked at from two perspectives, Historical and Religious.

Historical review of the literature might speculate the Jesus COULD have been married but there is no real credible evidence that his lineage continues to this date.

Religiously the evidence which tries to prove that Jesus was merely an immortal would be dicredited by the Vatican, thus it would never be possible to prove it. ( As is the case with any other religion in the world)
Islam has never been really clear what happened to Jesus but ironically people rely on very unreliable ahadith to believe or prove that he is going to come back. Muslims also look into Quran to prove that he was taken upto Allah and shall return to the earth again. In Sural Al- Imran does the Quran refer to Jesus at the time of him being crucified and uses the word ` Mutawafaina` which literally means `To be taken`- Alive or Dead we cannot say. The conjecture of his return are all written in the ahadith which were collected 200 years after the prophets death, therefore the relibility of that document can be questionnable.

N.B- By the view before anyone gives me a fatwa let me re-assure you that i am not a Qadiani.

i dnt think this topic should disscussed in such a manner........i dnt understand y people write or made movies,ads or cartoons on religion issues....religions r for respect.......people should not follow them blindly but atleast should not make fun of them........this kind of things should be avoided.......n those who do it shold be ashamed of their act.........
vineeta

Gill saheb:

It has happened in all religions. Gradually, the myth develops and normal human beings approach the status of Almighty.

I see it happening in case of Sahaba Karam in Islam. Reading history written by muslim scholars we learn about all the great things they did and never see anything humane about them.

Maulana Maududi wrote a book, ``Khilafat Aur Malokiat``. In this book, he tried to humanize Hazrat Usman. He clearly established that due to his kind heart, hazrat Usman gave a number of important positions to his relatives and thus started the process of Khilafat getting converted to Malokiat.

There was a big resentment among Brelvi muslims who would never listen to any criticism.

Christ was a prophet of Almighty and great man. If he married Mary, then he did not commit any sin. My respect for him and his teaching did not diminish at all. All human being have certain needs like food, clothing and shelter. Since he preached people and a large number of people listened and believed in him as a spiritual leader, I am sure many women would have loved to serve as his wives.

However if one believe that Jesus was Almighty himself then he should not have any earthly human needs including food, water and oxygen.

Was Jesus Christ married? Let us consider:

Perhaps he was not married because:

He had a full head of hair.
He had a peaceful look.
He retained his slim figure.
He had no paternity lawsuits against him.
He could make a comeback.
He WAS a leader and not a follower.

Then again, perhaps he was indeed married because:

He was not a good cook.
He was not much of a writer.
He was not much of a poet.
He had this “lost” look.
He never had much money.
He DID get crucified.

It is absurd and pointless to dissect the life of Jesus. Most of it is written by his followers and missionaries who wanted to convert as many to the fold as possible......

The weapon of the time to convert the illiterate and desperate was to instill fear of the magical and supernatural....to give hope....miracles....etc. So, the followers just did that.....they created the stories.....to make their `prophets` attractive and supernatural....

It worked then in most cases; today the world has changed.....time to move on and try something new.....the missionaries use the same tactics today with little success....bcs what was attractive then is considered stupid today.....

Anyways, who cares if he was married or not.....as if marriage is a sin.....

Again, spend time on his message sans the fluff.......instead of these petty issues....