Which Is More Probable: Jesus’ Disciples Saw a Reanimated Corpse or They Were Sincerely Mistaken?

The debate regarding the historicity of the alleged bodily resurrection of Jesus comes down to one’s views of probability. Question: Which is more probable: the disciples only thought they saw an appearance of the resurrected Jesus or they really did?

99.9% of skeptics (including theists–Jews, Muslims, etc.) will choose the first option and 99.9% of Christians will choose the second.

That is the problem. Why do Christians believe a corpse reanimation is more probable than a mistaken belief based on an illusion, vivid dream, false sighting, hallucination, or a combination of some or all of the above?

It is simply baffling

My questions for Christians: I believe that Jesus’ followers sincerely believed that he had appeared to them after his death and burial. I do not believe that the disciples made up this story. People do not die for a lie.

But is it possible that the disciples were mistaken? Is it possible that they sincerely believed that Jesus had appeared to them when he had not? Is it possible that the original sightings of a resurrected Jesus involved vivid dreams, illusions (bright lights), and false sightings? Is it possible that the detailed appearance stories in the Gospels are theological embellishments created for apologetic purposes, to counter first century skeptics who were saying that the disciples had only seen a ghost?

Christians may not believe that this scenario is plausible, but if it is possible, it is plausible in the minds of most non-Christians, including most non-Christian theists (Jews, etc.); much more plausible than the reanimation of a brain dead corpse. Why are Christians’ views of probability on this issue so different from that of the rest of the planet, theist and non-theist?

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End of post.