Who Really Killed Jesus (2008).avi

The traditional view in the Bible states that Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, gave in to Jewish demands that Jesus be executed. But this film re-examines the evidence to discover what really happened at the most famous trial in history, and who was to blame for the outcome.

The story of Jesus’ death has typically been presented from one point of view. The traditional version, as recorded in the Bible, holds that the Jewish High Priests demanded his execution and that the Jewish crowd bayed for his blood. The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, who was prepared to set Christ free, gave in to the mob’s demands and ordered his crucifixion. In case there were any lingering doubts about the Roman’s innocence, the Bible provides the compelling image of Pilate washing his hands – symbolically absolving himself of Jesus’ death.

But how accurate are the accounts in the Gospels? Does this portrait of a weak-willed Pilate stand up to historical scrutiny? This film re-examines the killing of Christ, placing Pontius Pilate at the centre of the investigation.

This programme, which is part of the Bible Debunked series, shows another way in which religion is being undermined, this time through the work of scientists who are subjecting the building blocks of religion to scientific scrutiny and finding them lacking.

The first part of the 21st century has seen a turning away from religion by many people.

Part of this has been brought about by the work of the like of Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris and others.

Part of this has been brought about by the rather shocking rise in religious fundamentalism, both in Islam and Christianity which has led to terror attacks and also wars in Iraq and Afghanistan leading to the loss in life of hundreds of thousands of innocent individuals.