I just LOVE this depiction of Mary, mother of Jesus, in an effort to capture her state of mind after the resurrection of Easter. If the resurrection of Christ really happened (and I believe it did), one should be 'taken' by the impact it would have had upon those closest to him.

The Easter Story of Christ's resurrection has "impacted" people for a few thousand years. I'm glad to see debates about this most astounding historical claim taking place in my lifetime. For it is a pivotal consideration in religion among true skeptics. And smart people are still seeking truth - no matter how difficult it might be.

Its AMAZING to me that such rigorous challenge to spirituality is taking place in the public squares of the USA ... especially when it comes to the truth-claims of Christianity and Easter. It seems that all other world religions are somehow "acceptable" in American culture - EXCEPT the one in which most of the founding fathers of America believed. Were they intellectually weak or something?

My observation is there are some really "brilliant" men and women who believe the story of Easter. And debate over the truthfulness of this event goes on. I think 2000 years of debate and academic energy expended on the subject is a testimony to its importance. For me, the recorded history of people being burned alive for claiming to believe anything is most disturbing to my logic. I don't know why anyone would go through that kind of agony for a lie - or even something they had significant doubt about. But martyrdom seems to be readily accepted as a real part of history in the Ancient Roman empire. Amazingly, there a still people giving up their life for Christian beliefs in our day.

As a Christian, I just LOVE Easter! Here in Maine, the celebration is heightened because the Easter season also welcomes a pleasant change in the weather. But THIS holiday is celebrated by Christians all over the world - in all kinds of climate. And not all of these people are intellectually weak. Is there really something of substance to this holiday? A good place to start looking for answers to THAT question might be this online interview between opposing minds: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6080701868320096275&ei=dqDcSamiJ4bSqQKQ1bTMCQ&q=resurrection%2BHabbermas&client=firefox-a

HAPPY HUNTING!