Quote:
I neither know or care if Jsus ever lived -- but the idea of "who would die for a lie" is based on a false premise.


Exactly. Having enough conviction in a belief that you would "die for it" is not equal to that belief being true. The fact is Paul's writings are the earliest, while the writings that claim to be about the disciples are from decades after Paul, let alone the supposed time of Jsus.

Tell you what, ask the pagans that were slaughtered, and murdered, and robbed when Christianity became the religion of the empire how you can die for a lie. These are the kinds of questions that are posed when all attempts to justify Jsus scripturally fail.
I asked for strength, and G-d gave difficulties to make me strong. I asked for wisdom, and G-d gave me problems to solve. I asked for prosperity, and G-d gave me brawn and brain to work. I asked for courage, and G-d gave me dangers to overcome. I asked for love, and G-d gave me troubled people to help. I asked for favors, and G-d gave me opportunities. I received nothing I wanted. I received everything I needed. My prayers were answered.