KGB maps discovered in Jesus's coffin

Letters Why not kick off with the obvious big story of the week? Yes, James Cameron finds the tomb of Christ. We had upwards of a trillion responses on this one, but very few were actually written in anything approaching comprehensible English, so we've trimmed the pile, somewhat.

One theme that has troubled many of you, though, is the question of confirming identities using DNA analysis. Who, you wondered, were they comparing the samples to?

We have worked this one out: to obtain a comparative sample, one merely needs to wait for the transubstantiation of the Eucharist during communion and, presto! You have your sample for comparison...

On with the mail box:

DNA analysis is used to compare unknown DNA with known DNA to attempt an association. In this case, what is the known DNA? or did this analysis just establish that this is a family unit with the right names, more-or-less.

PS I thought DNA didn't survive in dead & decomposed material.

John

So I'm assuming he's seen or read the DaVinci Code, and didn't want the hero to be a woman.. Still I wonder if the son of Jesus had super powers or a magic sword that lights up when orcs are near.. no?.. probably meant to free us all from the Matrix then.

Andy

"it has taken this long to decipher the names and to confirm the identities using DNA analysis".

WTF?

Did they do a direct comparison with someone in particular (TB the PM would no doubt be humble enough to think its him), or just a trawl through the increasingly large database run by ukpolice.plc

Once the ID of any descendant IS confirmed (as appears to be the case) then maybe HMRC will be after unpaid duty and interest for the "water into wine" tax avoidance dodge.

Charles

While I was reading your story on Cameron's 'documentary', I had a feeling of 'deja vu' that prompted me to look at my bookshelves. As a matter of fact, the plot you're exposing is the basis of Kathy Reich's novel "cross bones". This novel is loosely based on the same findings that prompted Cameron to make his film. Moreover, Kathy Reich being a real scientist, she states exactly why in the event of such a finding, no scholar would ever dare certifying besides a mere statistical 'probability' that such a tomb would be Jesus' one.

Not having seen Cameron's opus, I can't vouch for its entertaining qualities. But the aforementioned novel is really worth reading, at least just to understand the impossibility to assert any authenticity, and at least has no other ambition than being a good thriller.

Regards,

MV

Do you think this is real or not? You seem to be very sarcastic when it comes to this.....it seems as if you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God....I have seen other articles on this matter, and yours is the best I have seen by far. It seems to be on the side of Christianity and not James Cameron.

Buddy

When will the tomb be up for sale on eBay, and by the way I have the original basket used by the Easter Bunny!...

John

Shock news: developers have a difference of opinion over our take on Microsoft ordering ROM removals:

I'd like to take issue with your last paragraph - I'm an owner of a HTC Universal (cost €900) and a HTC TyTN (cost €700). I think I share the sentiments of many other users of XDA-Developers, when I say that I would LOVE if there were paid upgrades available to Windows mobile, made available by carriers or device manufacturers. They are it seems to greedy for this, and intead they want you to buy a new device. Imagine as a busy IT consultant, how much I'd rather simply spend a little money (far less than an hours earnings, in the rare case that I've seen upgrades offered!) rather than spend hours browsing message boards, and trying to divine whether a particular ROM upgrade will destroy my expensive phone. I would like nothing more than to see these upgrades being made available -that, combined with timely updates, would see XDA-Developers return to its status as hobbyist adventuring, instead of a vital resource than thousands of desperate owners are turning to. Let me know what you think!

Regards,

Colm

You would be doing the XDev community a favor by considering the publishing of this XDA petition page. I would never have purchased a Smartphone or HTC Wizard without this resource and if this is a permanent removal, I never will again. I'm not alone in this. My Wizard (Cingular) has supported functionality, ei, flawless WIFI g, stereo bluetooth, much more with complete stability for a long time.. Among the reasons for my purchase. Cingular's latest ROM does not support (and likely never will) these functions. Cingular's ROM was almost unusable. Having to remove the battery to unlock daily, etc. I'm still running a single instance of WM5 and don't consider it an act of piracy at all. Without XDA Developers WM5 would not have the market penetration they have and if Microsoft persists they will kill the platform.. Thanks for reading and here's the link..

http://www.petitiononline.com/xdadevs/petition-sign.html

Stan B.