[Troubleshooter]

An interesting point by Dr. Michael Shermer:

Allow me one brief comment of a theological nature. If Jesus did not die for
our sins then there is no point in being a Christian--one might as well be a
Jew (no religious belief is also acceptable). If Jesus did die for our
sins--indeed, if he HAD to die for our sins as we are told he did in order for us to
be saved--then why must ANYONE be blamed, let alone condemned? If this was a
foreordained event by God, then it was out of human hands. If it was not
predetermined by God and was instead a contingent event that might or might not have
happened, shouldn't we be THANKING the Jews (or the Romans) for doing the
unpleasant but necessary deed? After all, thanks to the crucifixion and the
resurrection, all who accept it are born again, saved, and will have everlasting
life. Shouldn't Pilate, Barabbas, and Ciaphas get special dispensation from God?