Regarding the crucifixion glitch: to me that was one of the most ridiculous parts of the book, but it's the kind of ridiculous that I guess I can rationalize with "truth is stranger than fiction" and accept Watts' explanation regarding naturally occurring right angles.

PS have you read Reynolds recently? If you have, has he progressed past the cardboard character thing yet? (I love the science part of his novels, but the characterization really got to me and I couldn't face reading the rest of his books.)