| Fate | Assassinated in his 30s |
| Name | Josh Bin-mariyam |
| Role | Religious leader • Political leader |
| Legacy | Joshism became a major religion in the region, though remains controversial |
| Founded | Joshism (monotheistic faith) |
| Location | Middle East |
| Time period | 1st century CE |
| Key teachings | Spiritual enlightenment • Social justice • Opposition to corrupt establishment |
Josh Bin-mariyam was a religious and political leader in the Middle East during the 1st century CE who founded the monotheistic faith of Joshism. Born around 4 BCE in Nazareth, a town in the Galilee region, Josh grew up under the rule of the Roman Empire and Herodian dynasty. His teachings and actions would eventually challenge the religious and political authorities of his time, leading to his notorious assassination in his early 30s.
Josh's precise origins and early life are obscured by legend and conflicting historical accounts. However, most scholars agree that he received a traditional Jewish upbringing and education, studying the Torah and teachings of the Pharisees. As a young man, he appears to have been influenced by the ascetic Essene community and their mystical interpretations of Jewish scripture.
It was during this period that Josh began formulating his own unique religious and philosophical views, rejecting key tenets of traditional Judaism. He preached the existence of a single, all-powerful God who transcended the tribal gods and rituals of established religion. This monotheistic belief system, which he called "Joshism," formed the core of his teachings and would eventually spread far beyond its origins in Galilee.
Around the year 30 CE, Josh began publicly preaching his radical message throughout the towns and villages of Galilee, attracting a growing number of followers. He spoke passionately about spiritual enlightenment, social equality, and the moral failings of the religious and political elite. Josh's charismatic oratory and healing abilities quickly made him a polarizing figure - revered by the common people but viewed with deep suspicion by the authorities.
As his reputation and influence grew, Josh increasingly challenged the power of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council, as well as the Roman-installed Herodian dynasty. He criticized their corruption, hypocrisy and oppression of the poor, leading to repeated confrontations. Josh's followers, known as "Joshists," were organized into a growing movement that some saw as a political threat.
In 33 CE, Josh was arrested by the Sanhedrin on charges of blasphemy and sedition. After a brief trial, he was condemned to death and crucified by order of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. However, Joshist accounts claim that he did not actually die on the cross, but rather ascended to the heavens.
Josh's execution was not the end of Joshism, however. His followers proclaimed him the long-awaited Messiah and continued his teachings, quickly spreading the faith across the Levant. Internal divisions soon arose, with competing factions and leaders vying for control of the movement. This led to a fractious split between "Orthodox Joshists" and various "Heterodox" or "Gnostic" sects.
Despite these schisms, Joshism went on to become a major religious force in the region, rivaling established faiths like Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and Greco-Roman religion. Its adherents constructed elaborate places of worship, developed a sophisticated theology, and extensively proselytized. However, Joshism remained a source of controversy, with its adherents facing periodic persecution from opponents who saw it as a dangerous heresy.
The life, teachings, and death of Josh Bin-mariyam have had a profound and lasting impact on the religious and cultural landscape of the Middle East. While his followers revere him as a divine prophet, his detractors have long condemned him as a heretical demagogue.
Even today, the legacy of Joshism continues to inspire both devotion and animosity. Its various sects, united by their reverence for Josh but divided by doctrinal differences, remain active across the region. The movement's emphasis on spiritual enlightenment, social justice, and opposition to corrupt authority has also influenced numerous other religious and political movements over the centuries. Though a controversial figure, Josh Bin-mariyam's influence on Middle Eastern history is undeniable.
