# Does Batman or Jesus seem more real to you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 18, 2015, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338 "2015-03-18T23:32:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/41 "2015-03-19T22:56:02Z")
For me it’s not a question of whether or not Jesus existed; it’s more a question of: “Is he really the son of God?” Since that’s a question that I’ve not come to a satisfactory answer to in my own mind I’ll leave it at that. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/42 "2015-03-19T23:02:38Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > When you think about them, which one do you think of more like you think of an actual person that you know? Well, when you consider that Jesus is without sin and the like, he ain’t nothin’ like anyone I ever met. Batman just wears funny clothes. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/43 "2015-03-19T23:17:05Z")
> [@Paxx](#): > > What is the fairly convincing argument that Jesus was entirely mythical? The fact that a person of his significance is not reliably attested at all by unbiased contemporary sources. Robin of Locksley has the appearance of being a composite drawn from multiple sources, it is not really unreasonable to guess that Jesus of Nazareth is probably of similar-type origin. Which would make him mythical in terms of being a person. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/44 "2015-03-19T23:22:26Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > It really depends on whether the Jesus we’re talking about is “literal Bible” Jesus, or historical “just a guy” Jesus. > > If the former, Batman. The latter, Jesus. Pretty much this. I think Jesus (the man) was a real person, while I don’t think there is a real Batman behind the comic book character. But if we are talking about Jesus the Son of God (which is also an aspect of God) then I’d go with Batman as more plausible. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/45 "2015-03-19T23:41:34Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > When you think about them, which one do you think of more like you think of an actual person that you know? I’ve met a handful of spiritually inclined people who make their life’s task to perform acts of charity, decry injustice, preach against bad behavior, and would likely lay their lives down for others. I’ve met no stark raving mental billionaire polymath socialite-by-day, vigilante-by-night types. Then again I’ve never actually met on the street a dude who with his mere word can turn water into wine, heal the sick and disabled and stop a storm; or who got up and about just three days after being killed in a brutal manner. And I have met people who never let go of avenging whatever they consider a wrong. But overall I have met more people who try to live like Jesus than who try to live like Batman (OK some dream of becoming super rich, owning awesome technology, kicking the ass of anyone who’s a pest around them, and retiring to bang Anne Hathaway or someone in her league happily ever after… Hmmm… Then again, would the first group be even trying to live like Jesus if not for the example of the mythical Jesus…) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/46 "2015-03-19T23:51:32Z")
> [@Paxx](#): > > What is the fairly convincing argument that Jesus was entirely mythical? I have no reasonable evidence that says Jesus definitely didn’t exist, but the evidence he did is thin on the ground. Outside of the Bible it’s tenuous at best, and as the Bible is full of allegory and parables, basically admitted fiction, amongst the “true” facts, we can’t rely on its veracity either, not least because it attributes Jesus with doubtful miraculous abilities, which seem to be borrowed from other historical or mythical figures from centuries before his time. I can’t say for certain he didn’t exist, but, if he did, he was probably a vocal trouble-making figure, upsetting the powerful with his radical ideas of being nice to people for a change, rather than the miracle-wielding son of God. ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/47 "2015-03-20T00:08:35Z")
I absolutely believe in Jesus ---
**Author:** ![CaptainAmerica\_1987](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@CaptainAmerica\_1987](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptainAmerica_1987)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/48 "2015-03-20T01:56:12Z")
> [@janis\_and\_c0](#): > > I absolutely believe in Jesus Than do you believe in Superman? ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/49 "2015-03-20T02:50:51Z")
Sure. He lives just down the street. Of course, he’s been exposed to Gold Kryptonite… ---
**Author:** ![CaptainAmerica\_1987](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@CaptainAmerica\_1987](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptainAmerica_1987)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/50 "2015-03-20T03:02:47Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Sure. He lives just down the street. Of course, he’s been exposed to Gold Kryptonite… Very good 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Paxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/50afbb/32.png) [@Paxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paxx)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/51 "2015-03-20T11:13:11Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I can’t say for certain he didn’t exist, but, if he did, he was probably a vocal trouble-making figure, upsetting the powerful with his radical ideas of being nice to people for a change, rather than the miracle-wielding son of God. So you’re not convinced that Jesus was entirely mythical. Okay. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/52 "2015-03-20T13:56:00Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I have no reasonable evidence that says Jesus definitely didn’t exist, but the evidence he did is thin on the ground. Outside of the Bible it’s tenuous at best, and as the Bible is full of allegory and parables, basically admitted fiction, amongst the “true” facts, we can’t rely on its veracity either, not least because it attributes Jesus with doubtful miraculous abilities, which seem to be borrowed from other historical or mythical figures from centuries before his time. > > I can’t say for certain he didn’t exist, but, if he did, he was probably a vocal trouble-making figure, upsetting the powerful with his radical ideas of being nice to people for a change, rather than the miracle-wielding son of God. What ‘admitted fictions’ (in the New Testament specifically are you referring to? The Gospel accounts present themselves as straight up historical accounts of what Jesus said and did. Obviously you don’t have to believe them, but I’m struggling to see what you mean by ‘admitted fictions’. I’m not impressed by the evidence that the stories about Jesus were ‘borrowed from other historical or mythical figures’ either. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/53 "2015-03-20T14:18:03Z")
I’m an atheist. Jesus of Nazareth was almost certainly a real person. Batman is a cartoon character. Jesus’ PR exceed the reality, but he was real. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/54 "2015-03-20T15:03:55Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > There was a preacher named Jesus in the holy land, though he certainly didn’t have supernatural powers (and IIRC, never claimedthem). So he’s a real historical figure. > > Batman is completely fictional. > [@PlainJain](#): > > I very seriously doubt this. Ambiguous much? What do you very seriously doubt? That there was a preacher named Jesus in the Holy Land? That he didn’t have supernatural powers? That he had them but never claimed them? That Batman is completely fictional? To quote Wikipedia on the [Historicity of Jesus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_Jesus): “There is near unanimity among scholars that Jesus existed historically” To quote Stan Lee on [what he thinks of batman:](http://www.comicbooktherapy.com/stan-lee-says-the-same-thing-hes-always-said-about-future-marvel-movies-he-doesnt-care-about-batman-or-superman-either-159766) " I find Batman a little more interesting than Superman because he’s more fallible." ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/55 "2015-03-20T15:23:02Z")
If I were out late at night and got jumped by a gang of bikers who mistook me for someone they had a beef with, I’d be less shocked if The Batman showed up and saved me then if The Jesus did the same. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/56 "2015-03-20T15:26:06Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’m an atheist. > > Jesus of Nazareth was almost certainly a real person. Batman is a cartoon character. Jesus’ PR exceed the reality, but he was real. I guess the problem with the OP is some of us assume the questions was “God Jesus” not “person Jesus.” It’s not a very interesting question if it’s just about historical Jesus vs. fictional Batman. However, the question about whether a fictional Jesus or a fictional Batman “seems more real to you” is a good one. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/57 "2015-03-20T15:33:42Z")
I was intentionally vague. I didn’t specify which Jesus because I wanted people to pick their own Jesus. Which Jesus they picked, as well as how they chose to interpret the question, is of interest to me. My “clarification” upthread was intentionally vague for the same reason. FTR, Batman seems more real than Jesus to me. ---
**Author:** ![Paxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/50afbb/32.png) [@Paxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paxx)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/58 "2015-03-20T15:46:40Z")
Yeah, it would make an interesting question for a first date. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/59 "2015-03-20T18:32:41Z")
The question is who SEEMS more real. I can believe one nut case dressing up playing good guy. I can not believe any one person getting about 20% of the planet to think he is an embodiment of a god. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338/60 "2015-03-20T19:34:50Z")
LARPers periodically dress up as Batman and walk around casually in public, I cannot remember the last time I saw someone on the sidewalk dressed to look like Jesus. Though, maybe the mask helps, in terms of not worrying who might see them looking like that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-batman-or-jesus-seem-more-real-to-you/715338.md?page=4)