Judas

I once heard that most historians believe Jesus had two apostles named Judas, but he changed one's name to Thaddeus to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot.

Well, to step away from the Biblical discussions above, here is something on the usage of the name: Lady GaGa released a single called "Judas."

Judas Iscariot did not betray Jesus. It's been found that Jesus specifically spoke to Judas telling him that he (Judas) must be the one to reveal him (Jesus) to the Romans so he could die for the sins of mankind. Judas was a hero, in a way. And go ahead and tell me I'm wrong, I'm a die-hard Catholic, too ;)

Judas Maccabaeus was one of the greatest Jewish heroes in the Old Testament he was responsible for re-establishing Israel's independence by kicking out the Greeks. However the Book of Maccabees is not considered to be part of the Bible by Protestants but it is by Catholics.

Judas is the name of the very mean dog who belongs to the horrible abusive Garbos in Jerzy Kosinski's haunting novel 'The Painted Bird.'

Judas might not actually be a bad character. Some scientists have found the gospels of Judas and he might not be bad after all.