Atheists Accuse Christian "Archaeologists" of Inventing Jesus Evidence 

In a controversial video, James Randi, atheist, former magician, and arch-apostle of skepticism, has vigorously endorsed the atheist  position that Nazareth did not yet exist when Jesus was supposedly  alive (above). "The amazing Randi" thus supports a growing number of experts who suspect that "Jesus" was  no more than a fiction. In his remarks, Randi highlights René Salm's  recent book, "The Myth of Nazareth: The Invented Town of Jesus"  (American Atheist Press, 2008). In that book Salm (also an atheist)  accuses Christian pseudo-archaeologists such as B. Bagatti, C. Kopp,  and E. Richmond of changing and even fabricating evidence to support  the fantastic story of "Jesus of Nazareth" portrayed in the gospels.  For more information, see  Salm's web site, www.nazarethmyth.info.

Christian apologists are lining up to try to refute Salm's meticulously researched book that conclusively demonstrates that the town now known as Nazareth was not inhabited at the time that "Jesus of Nazareth" was supposed to have been living there, and it is clear that they must succeed in refuting this book if Christianity is to survive. Without a Nazareth, "Jesus of Nazareth" becomes a close cousin of The Wizard of Oz.

Randi's video appears to have been "inspired" by a recent article by René Salm published in the journal "American Atheist,"   "Nazareth, Faith, and the Dark Option—an Update" (January, 2009).  This article updates several earlier articles published in "American Atheist" by Mr. Salm "The Myth Of Nazareth: The Invented Town of Jesus" [November/December, 2006]), "The Myth of Nazareth, Does it Really Matter",  and an article by Frank Zindler ("Why the Truth About Nazareth Is Important" [November/December, 2006]). 

According to Frank Zindler, the managing editor of American Atheist Press, Nazareth isn't the only geographical fiction in the New Testament. In his article "Where Jesus Never Walked" he showed that such places as Capernaum, Bethany, and Enon are also literary inventions [Winter, 1996-1997].