DaSilva, Jereza, Peill, and PetagnaPhotos: Tim Murphy
Titanic director James Cameron was in town yesterday to unveil boxes that he said may contain the remains of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. And Sunday, the Discovery Channel will air a new Cameron documentary claiming that the two were married and bore a son named Judah, all three of whom were buried together. (So much for the whole resurrection-and-Ascension thing.) We asked people in front of St. Patrick’s today whether they’re buying Cameron’s latest epic tale.
CARLOS DASILVA, VISITING FROM BRAZIL
Do you believe this story today? Sure, why not? Jesus is a guy. He needs a wife. Would you name your son Judah? No. I don’t like the name. Nothing to do with religion or anything.
PHILIP JEREZA, VISITING FROM WEST VIRGINIA
Do you believe this? I don’t think they had the time to settle and have a kid. Jesus would have more important things to do. So you think Jesus would be an absentee dad? Yeah.
JAMES PEILL, ORIGINALLY FROM U.K.
Do you believe this? It’s rubbish. It’s not what it says in the Scriptures. Do you believe everything in the Scriptures? Yes. Do you think Judah is a cool name? Yes. It was one of the tribes of Israel. Would you name your son Judah? I might, yes. And your daughter? Clementina, after my great-grandmother.
AMELIA PETAGNA, WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN
Do you believe this? No. I think the Gospels would have mentioned there was a son hanging around with Jesus. And historically, Jesus died on the cross. We all know it. The wounds were fatal. Wife or not, does Mary Magdalene get a bad rap? In those days, they stoned prostitutes. If Jesus had shown her any kind of love, she would have traveled around with him. He was respecting her as a woman. She was kind of the original hooker with the heart of gold? I guess so. I haven’t known any hookers in my life. Some people I’ve suspected, but even they’re good people deep down inside. Would you name your son Judah? Maybe Jewish people would, but I’m not Jewish. I’m Italian. —Tim Murphy
