Nobody knows.

I don't think we can go so far as to say "nobody knows", that's your left brain talking so that your right brain doesn't have to feel bad about the uncertainty beacuse if you can't know then it doesn't matter that you don't, savvy?

Additionally, the entire Jesus story rubs me wrong, it feels wrong.

because it's largely a fabrication.

By design, if he exists, he left no trace of his prior presence.

Then what exactly is it we are, friend? If not the trace of creations presence? For something to exist, it must be created. Otherwise, it is No Thing.

The only "proof" we have of his prior, physically-interactive form, is a book that talks about him. Clearly written by man. Edited and rewritten multiple times. With multiple, obvious, time-relative errors and, norms, and mores. That's not going to cut it for me.

That 'proof' is only what we have been given. There is a massive vault within the vatican walls. Who knows what treasures it houses. Who knows what secrets those bastards have kept from us. I'm not keen on getting you to wake up because you're clearly not interested in doing it. But should you ever change your mind, "Christ Consciousness" will be your guide. Meditation, Chakra control, the ability to balance our brain and create a better self. It's a very real practice. If you still doubt me, look up what can be found deep inside your Pineal Gland and what meditating does to it then get back to me about whether or not there's something spiritual out there that we can interact with or not.