Codex Sinaiticus

This just in! A really old book has just been published on the internet. Not cool enough for you? OK, well the book is actually the oldest known copy of the Christian Bible, the Codex Sinaiticus. 1600 years old.

Why is this cool? Well, it just might have serious implications in the Christian realms. In the past, Christian theologians, scholars, and religious leaders were only as good as the materials they had available. They fed the masses what was agreed upon as the definitive works, a collection of books selected at the Council of Nicaea long ago (subject to debate).

The Codex Sinaiticus includes those books and a few more. So what is in the new books being introduced to EVERYBODY? Will the information bring age old teachings into question? Will religious leaders accept the data now available to their followers? What of the general understanding of the Christian Bible, could men have cut out entire books throughout history in order to fit their own credence? How does one go about changing a religion, even if it is a very small change?

Besides the modern day debates that may ensue, the history of the actual manuscript is fairly interesting as well. Check out the articles:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/07/24/online.bible/
http://www.thestar.com/living/religion/article/661728

And the website: http://www.codex-sinaiticus.net/en/ (english translations coming soon...)

On a lighter note, people in California like to moon passenger trains: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124718939724920855.html