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Let's say scientists figure out human cloning around the same time Jesus' remains are discovered. And let's say they find enough of Jesus' DNA in his remains to clone him. Should we? And if so, do you think Christians as a whole would approve and consider it the legitimate second coming of Christ, or would they consider it blasphemous and try to prevent scientists from cloning him?

Due to the amount of chrsitians in the planet the answer is bound to be…both some christians would embrace it, some would reject it. Contrast to what some anti theists beleive, christianity is far from a hivemind and has a lot of infighting. But anyway this would be bound to create a global shitstorm and would probably be a bad idea but that just me.

Edit: All speculative of course

The thing people forget is that dna deteriorates over time and is only preserved if in extreme circumstances. The reason why we might be able to bring back woolie mammoths is that some of them were frozen in ice.

Chances are no original biological material of the guy was preserved. The chance of this happening is pretty much 0.

And don't even get me started in the spiritual-supernatural properties! Whatever clone was created would have a completely different and entirely human soul so he would just be some completely normal dude that looks like Jesus. (I am kiind of serious creating a clone of Jesus would prove absolutely nothing becuse of all previous things neither for atheists or christians, necromancy is not simple it takes years and very few ever master it).

Even if you, for the sake of speculation, ignore YHBF's point and did fine some of Jesus' DNA intact, I'd say no, simply because of what the world will view and pressure the resulting clone as. Remember, cloning means growing the clone like a normal human, meaning they will have to go through childhood like everyone else. Could you imagine what being the clone of fucking Jesus would do to a child? Between the millions who are looking to you to solve all their problems, the millions who think your an abomination to their religion, the sheltered life they would have to have because of both groups on top of the possible mental trauma that comes with being a clone in the first place, I'd say cloning Jesus would be a great cruelty to the clone himself.

Also, it's a guarantee the clone will not be like Jesus in terms or personality, between the sheltered life, the different time, and the fact that clones are nothing more than identical twins biologically, which can have different personalities based on environment, there is really no value to making a clone of Jesus to being with. Not to mention if the Christian God does exist, this is an act that could very well piss it off enough to smite some people. All in all, this is a "No, just, no" idea.

>Jesus’ remains are discovered
Leaving aside the obvious theological issues over the complete implosion of the central tenet of Christianity, how could you ever prove it was Jesus? It's not as though the Bible contains a DNA sample you could compare it to.

As to your second question, it would depend on the denomination. As a Baptist, I can tell you we'd outright reject it. There's clear doctrinal requirements for the second coming and none of them involve a clone. If anything, the spectre of Revelation and the Beast would be heavily raised--more so if the clone possessed some supernatural abilities and if there were someone (the false prophet) trying to shill him.

i'd just feel bad for the clone for the aforementioned reason. also, whatever his skin color would be (probably middle eastern because obviously), it would be guaranteed to piss people off.

knock-knock

Hello there, do you have a minute to discuss our savior JesusChrist?

Quoting xTSGX: "Leaving aside the obvious theological issues over the complete implosion of the central tenet of Christianity, how could you ever prove it was Jesus? It’s not as though the Bible contains a DNA sample you could compare it to."

Or to put it more simply the central tenet of Christianity is that Jesus' body isn't dead in the first place so there would be no ability to take any DNA from it. Of course, should he show up the second part of the observation of xTSGx would be a mute point since you would automatically know it was Him.

Of course the central questions being posed seem to be: would a cloned Jesus be the same Jesus in his abilities and impact -- a question the answer of which is probably more reflective of the person answering's view of nature/nurture -- or if the Christian Church would recognize Him (hmmmm….would he be a diety? -- which would mean the capital "H" would be appropriate, but if not then it would have to be "him." A bit confusing in the grammar department here.)

Personally, as one of those Christians, I doubt most Christians would acknowledge him as Jesus or as Jesus Christ. He would be, as one person put it, "a dude who looked liked Jesus." The reason I don't believe anybody would take much notice is that even if we knew for certain he was a clone of Jesus of Nazareth, most Christians are Christians by tradition rather than by any sort of personal conversion to following Jesus of Nazareth. Most Christians are followers of the the traditions their culture, and if that culture calls itself "Christian" they consider themselves to be one. Few are, personally speaking, committed disciples of a man who lived, died and rose again, almost 2000 years ago but are very good at declaring that they are in the camp of those who actually are committed to following that man. So if a new clone of Jesus came around it is very doubtful the bulk of Christians would take much notice and even less likely that many would recognize him as the same Jesus who "ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God."

AJ

This is pretty much a Rick and Morty episode ready to happen.

The big question then ultimately comes down to: can you clone divinity, and if so, is divinity then a physical thing that can be replicated? It would open up a lot of the older debates that colored early Christianity regarding the divinity of Christ as a man. Many schools of thought on this but there is greater questions about the human soul and spirit. And what in fact makes us individuals…is it our unique biology or is it our memories and experiences?