The talk focusses on the crucifixion, and the doctrine developed around it.
Focusses on Jesus as a sacrifice, dying in our place, justifying our actions.
So the talk sets out to prove, at length, that we are all sinners,
and then dives into the evangelical doctrine of sin and salvation,
so beloved by Paul and valued by the church,

Herein lies, and has always lain, the power of priest and temple.
Pacifying the spirits is the shaman's main concern and benefit;
Divine forgiveness is, has always been, the prop of religion;
The threat of eternal damnation its underlying strength.

Yet we may ask, "why was Jesus executed?" and realise that it was justified.
When Israel was getting ready for rebellion, he was a focus of discontent.
He was acting as a tinder-box in an inflammable environment.
The theme that Jesus taught was, and is, political dynamite.
We would probably treat him much the same today,
though with less accountability.

Jesus died because of his convictions, because he would not keep quiet,
because he followed his conscience, the voice of his Father,
beyond the boundaries set by the religious leadership.
He was a pain in the side of the authorities!

Of course the stories of his death became embellished and sanctified,
adjusted to something suitable for the founder of a global faith;
then became confused with the allegory of resurrection,
the re-emergence of his ideas after he had died.

We may believe that he died because of our sins,
or at least because of the way that we too would have behaved.
We may believe that his example may cause us to change our ways,
that through that change we may find our, or humanity's, salvation.
But let us not confuse the parable of atonement
with the reality of an agitator's death.

For further thoughts see "The Death of Jesus"