Buzzsaw Season 1 Episode 2 Caesar's Messiah with Joseph Atwill

In the second episode of Buzzsaw season 1 titled "Caesar's Messiah with Joseph Atwill," the show explores the controversial theory that the Roman Empire created Christianity as a form of control over its population.

The episode begins with host Sean Stone introducing Joseph Atwill, an independent scholar who has written extensively about the origins of Christianity. Atwill claims that the Gospels, which most Christians believe to be historical accounts of the life of Jesus Christ, were actually written by the Romans as a way to pacify Jewish rebels after the failed uprising of 66-70 AD.

Atwill argues that the Romans created the story of Jesus as a way to transfer messianic expectations from a militant Jewish leader to a pacifistic messiah figure, and to make it seem as though the prophecy had been fulfilled. This, he believes, would have convinced many Jews to abandon their revolutionary ambitions and accept Roman rule.

The episode features several experts who weigh in on Atwill's theory, including historian Robert Eisenman, religious scholar Thomas J. J. Altizer, and anthropologist James Aho. While not all of the experts agree with Atwill's specific claims, they all acknowledge that Christianity has been used as a tool of political control throughout history.

The episode also delves into the similarities between the story of Jesus and other mythological figures from ancient religions, such as Mithras and Osiris. These similarities, Atwill argues, are evidence that the Romans borrowed elements from these earlier religions to create the story of Jesus.

Throughout the episode, Stone and Atwill visit various historical sites in Rome and Israel to illustrate the connections between the Roman Empire and the creation of Christianity. They visit the Arch of Titus, which commemorates the Roman victory over the Jewish rebels, and the site of Masada, where a group of Jewish rebels made a last stand against the Romans.

Overall, "Caesar's Messiah with Joseph Atwill" is a thought-provoking episode that challenges viewers to rethink their beliefs about the origins of Christianity. Whether or not one agrees with Atwill's theory, the episode raises important questions about the relationship between religion and power.