Do You Believe Jesus Spent 18 Years in India?

The idea that Jesus Christ spent 18 years of his life in India is a controversial one. While some people believe that this is true, others dismiss it as pure myth. In this blog post, we'll explore the evidence on both sides of the argument and try to come to a conclusion.

The Theory

The theory that Jesus spent 18 years in India is based on the idea that he traveled there during his "lost years" - the period of his life between the ages of 12 and 30 that is not accounted for in the Bible. According to this theory, Jesus went to India to study Buddhism and Hinduism, and this is where he developed his spiritual teachings.

The Evidence

There is some evidence to support the theory that Jesus went to India. One of the main pieces of evidence is the Gospel of Thomas, a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus that was discovered in 1945. Some scholars believe that the Gospel of Thomas was written in India, and that it reflects the influence of Buddhist and Hindu teachings.

Another piece of evidence is the tomb of Jesus' supposed uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, which is located in Kashmir, India. According to legend, Jesus visited his uncle's tomb during his time in India.

The Counterargument

Despite this evidence, there are many people who dismiss the theory that Jesus went to India. One argument against it is that there is no direct evidence in the Bible that Jesus traveled to India. In addition, some scholars argue that the Gospel of Thomas was not written in India, but rather in Syria or Egypt.

Another counterargument is that the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea is not actually his tomb, but rather a shrine that was built centuries after his death. Furthermore, the tomb does not contain any evidence that Jesus visited it, and there is no historical record of Jesus ever being in India.

Conclusion

In the end, it doesn't really matter whether or not Jesus went to India. What matters is the message that he left behind - a message of hope, love, and forgiveness. As long as we continue to embody these values, we can honor his memory and continue to make the world a better place.