"On the other hand, a card bearing the image of a near-naked man being stripped, beaten, tortured, and nailed through his hands and feet onto a wooden crucifix is a markedly less pleasant piece of mail. "

He was nailed through the writs. If you nail someone through the hand the weight of the body will force the hand down, allowing the nail to tear through the soft tissue. If its done through the wrists the bones in the area will keep the body suspened.

Sickening I know, but I had to point it out.

So would you say that the stigmata of St. Francis, for example, were no authentic?

I think it was a generalization; the specifics aren't important to the point - it's gruesome either way.

It is surely the symbolism that counts.

It's all just made up by a bunch of people who see God as superman.

And the Roman empire was made up, along with the practice of crucifiction? You're not going to change anyone's religious/non-religious view, any more that I am, but at least don't stoop to rewriting history.

Crucifiction = Fact

Roman Empire = Fact

Virgin Birth = Myth

Resurrection = Myth

Jesus = Probably a real person but certainly nothing as he is portrayed in the Bible.

Here's one for you Smart guy, Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem. Before you answer, think about it for a minute, Or in your case 1/2 hour.