Review of The Root of All Evil - The God Delusion

A television documentary, 

written and presented 

by Richard Dawkins

As in The God who Wasn't There , we have yet another Christian bashing film that makes the same allegations, yet in many ways it is more bold in its assertions that Christians are basically stupid. "If you have faith you have no intelligence". Yes, verbatim.

Richard Dawkins, with his admittedly, very smart sounding English accent,  informs the viewer that there is an  elephant  in the room and it is  called Religion. He is an Oxford graduate  scientist who makes  outlandish statements, which don't make him sound very smart , such  as Christians possess a dangerous thing such as the  "process of nonthinking called faith "  which he says is common to Judaism, Christianity and Muslim  religions. That science is in direct contradiction  or rather that it is a " profound contradiction between science and belief " that exists when one looks critically at religion. 

And the greatest ignorance of all that there is "no well demonstrated reason to believe in God" or "A divine creator"  to do so really   belittles the universe as we know it! 

Dawkins  claims that the the 21st century should be an age of reason, true but he feels rather our century is one of "irrational militant faith". Dawkins implores people of reason to say "enough is enough"  in regards to religion and irrational faith, he commands them " no more tip toeing away" lets face it head on, Christians and all those others are irrational , they don't know how to think , or deduce, and are devoid of reason. Come on , lets admit it , out loud once and for all. Well, Dawkins makes no bones about it, he is not going to take it anymore, he is issuing the battle cry for all thinking peoples, faith is stupid. A few more words out of the oxford Scholar :

..."religious faith discourages independent thought, it is divisive and it is dangerous" .

"Christians at Lourdes are delusional"  and refers to the people, the believers  as a "herd"... albeit a benign herd. Elitism at its best and he holds nothing back from his disdain and disgust at viewing and commenting on these poor fools who believe that God is capable of miracles .

Lourdes, Dawkins reminds us, is  the mother Mary  myth, where the faithful believe that they can receive cures , these predominately catholic  pilgrims who "wallow" in the waters are simply  "poor desperate peoples of  faith". Dawkins refers to a few 'facts' to prove his point as he interviews a Priest.

evidence

The Lourdes facts
66 cures true cures recognized by the Vatican
1000's  of other non church sanctified  healing and  
millions healed in different ways, such as  spiritually and  mentally
80,000 people  per year visit

Dawkins says these are the hard fact of the years,"statistically it adds up to no evidence at all "  This is the type of reasoning that is running rampant in so called scholarly circles such as is found with D. M.  Murdock, where she states that history is fraudulent   and interpolated because  she says so, and therefore, there is no evidence. Dawkins might believe that a miracle was present if , for instance  a served leg was regenerated ! And the  cures that have been claimed , well they would have gotten better anyway.

Faith and science can not live side by sideDawkins sees science and religion as "deeply opposed".  Stating that science investigates,  looks for evidence and then uses  reason to draw conclusions. Science sets  up models and then sets out to disprove them, they are skeptical, therefore reasonable and they are looking for answers. Unlike those of Faith... faith  simply turns "untested belief into unshakable truth."

..."faith demands a positive suspension of critical facilities" , in other words, Christians don't think rationally. 

 Then, a somewhat compelling example, Mary did not die, no evidence , bible says nothing of this sentiment . It is only a  belief  that she was lifted into heaven, this story  was made up and spread by word of mouth until it  became established tradition. Time made it a fact. by 1950 the tradition, the story or myth,  became official truth, the Vatican said  now in fact , that Catholics must believe this doctrine. Why?  The Pope said so, and how did he come to this decision? It was revealed to him, by God, that's how. the Pope thought  about it , and now it had to be so. 

Sadly, the corrupt Catholic church and its history are easy target practice for anti-christian, religion bashing authors and atheistic  advocates. Dawkins asks "What about the Popes conviction about not using condemns in aides ridden Africa?A legitimate question in my mind.

Next Dawkins mocks the God-alpha male in the sky.

Alpha male in the sky is absurd according to Dawkins . It does make for great art however.

Why because "tons and tons of evidence tells us that evolution is true."

  The alpha male in the sky was created by man for man because "humanity had no choice but to rely on supernatural beliefs to explain creation." Yet  now science has pieced together what really happened. We don't need these stories, myths, man made creation epics and we certainty don't need religion or faith...we have  Darwin . 

 Oh and that whole intelligent designer, well , that  cant be real, because hey...  who made the designer silly? Our Oxford Science  Scholar shows his lack of quantum physics and the current prevailing theories . I suggest he watch Ben Stein. That is right, this nerdy movie star has made an important documentary on the trend in Science , much like our friend Dawkins, to dismiss , intelligent design., limiting freedom of thought. 

Stein uncovers, a scientist must be prepared to lose his or her job and reputation in the scientific community if he brings forth the idea that there is a designer at the source of creation. This film is very worth while. 

Watch Ben Steins Documentary here...full movie, no cost.

Dawkins claims evolution today is under threat ! Seems free thought in the world of science is under threat...those who oppose evolution and offer intelligent design might be able to explain how life begins  bible belt new world as free enterprise, competing to save souls and collect their money . In steins film they call the anti intelligent design thinkers , intellectual  terrorists. Clearly Science and religion are at odds. But we much ask, is a theory of intelligent design given by Science, religion? no , it is not. Oh, and Biblical  creationism IS NOT  the same as   intelligent design.

Dawkins says that 45 % believe the universe is less than 10,000 years old.

The new life church is a 18 million dollar church  built as the new Jerusalem. Dawkins takes delight  in  making fun of the whole  thing. He claims that  it strains belief....he belittles  a social network of 12,000 of 1300 groups, from marriage to dog walking....so what? Is it not a good thing to see people working together for a common good? These Christians are not planning terrorist plans, they are feeding the poor, working in their community and helping one another. Sad , that the pessimism of Dawkins can find no value in this but only mocks them, again because they are nothing more than fools .

And as Flemming , in The God who Wasn't there, Dawkins goes to the fringe evangelists , his choice,  Ted haggard , who according to Dawkins , is the "root of all evil." Haggard teaches  irrational faith and  it is thriving as  it attacks science.  Pastor Haggard , we are told, has  got a direct  line to God and to  even had one to then President George Bush.

 The Bible is nothing more than  "ancient scribblings" !

Bible  is not credible , why? because it is

1500 years old and is comprised of over 40 different authors into  one book which denies  scientific evidence to support the " bronze age myth" .

Haggard says boldly that is  type of thinking " intellectual arrogance!'" Hooray Haggard !!!!  I agree. The reason why they, the 'intellectuals' have a problem with faith, and air  of Superiority, is    because " I read books and  if  only  you knew the scientists  I knew then you would be great like me". Haggard  makes good sense, too bad, he like so many other evangelists went down the sex sandal road , which took away most of his credibility.But true words are true, irregardless of your sexual deviations 

 We are informed that many 'free thinkers' feel that Christianity is nothing short of McCarthyism,  In fact, it is more like Christian fascism, that dominates others threw its  theology, like an American Taliban. This is simply "lethal polarization".

Yep, the Christian fascists against the intellectual  terrorists !

To stand up for Christ, the war between good and evil, is really a war between two evils. I have to agree that all war is evil and I am strongly opposed to war.The slaughter done in the name of religion is appalling, as is the lost lives over oil,territory and power. It is not just war in the name of God that is evil.

Temple Mount

Dawkins takes a coveted trip to  Jerusalem  to explore the three religions that come out of this troubled region. 

Dawkins says, the holy city is the least enlightened place on earth and barely suppresses its  religious hatred.

All three of the  religions have irrational roots, It is  the role  of faith that has  promoted the  bitter conflict seen in this area . He points out the numerous soldiers everywhere at  checkpoints that are under  heavy guard. Dawkins explains that the temple mount is the  Muslims third most  holiest site,  where their  prophet flew up to heaven. Jews believe the same place is their holiest sight . It is the shrine of  king Solomons  temple , yet Jews cant go in as identifiable Jews . This place is a mess and is deeply concerning, how men, a people can kill over a plot of land. Personally, I wish they would get over it. Both of them, no plot of land is worth a world war, loss of life and the discord it has brought.

Dawkins , rightly says that it is a mater of "my book is right  and yours is wrong"...uncompromising,,,again I agree with these sentiments. This thinking , and the belief that you should be killed in the name of god, must change and it is this belief that gives fuel to the fires of atheists and anti-christian movements who love peace .

And so Dawkins relates that "religion fosters hatred" , he tells his viewers , that  as a atheist, he  is gentle, then he says he hates atheists! Conflicted Richard? In  this film the  director wants us all to get along,  good ending but Richard believes its faith and lack of looking at evidence that is the root to our worlds problems ,"killing for God is ridiculous. '"  I for one agree. Killing period , in fact. Yet evolutionary  science is not the cure .

In conclusion; the teapot in the Universe Bertrand Russel, the teapot in the universe only a lunatic would believed that there is a  teapot that is floating around.

Russell wrote that if he claims that a teapot orbits the Sun somewhere in space between the Earth and Mars, it is nonsensical for him to expect others to believe him on the grounds that they cannot prove him wrong.

teapot athesitcs the teacher, elders in the teapot, holy books on the teapot.cesical teapot

cant disprove unicorns we all are atheists all the other gods save one

Science is never wrong the earth is still flat! Science is even against itself, i.e. global warming. cant give me two people who agree on a subject , but that's the beauty of it1 Science created the atom bomb or did religion?

 Christians that have faith don't have reason .
 ad hominem fallacy  a verbal attack against the person instead of his argument.

Review of the film "The God Who was'nt There" by Brian Flemming

Watch film here

 The God Who Wasn't there 

 Independent Documentary made in 2005 written and . 

Directed by	Brain Flemming  watch here

A quick review of the film that may have been a inspiration for The Zeitgeist trilogy and Global movement.  More Christ bashing, Christ isn't real and Christians are ignorant fools propaganda .Lets take a look at the allegations that Flemming makes against Christians.

Christians don't know Mythology?

During the interview of Christians found outside a Billy Graham crusade, Flemming asks wide eyed believers did they know of Mithra, Andonis , Dionysus , or  Osiris? Those presented in the documentary,  knew nothing of these ancient "Gods". The way the material is presented, the Christians look ignorant and uninformed. However , I think it safe to say, that Americans as a whole don't know their mythology either and if the same question were posed, at lets say the super bowl, ones findings would be similar . Once again , our public government controlled education system does not harbor true learning, therefor mythology  ,  as a required class, which I advocate  (along with comparative  religions for a well rounded world view ) is absent from the curriculum. With our media, plugged in cable or  satellite  brain washing, "dumbing down" hypnotic consumer producing T.V. recreation necessity, I ask how is the general public to learn its history? The history Channel?  

My advise during these times of debate, intellectual refutation to discredit the Bible, Christ and a monotheist creation deity , is simply,  Christians learn your ancient  history . It is important that you know your enemy. Mythology is rich and interesting. You need to be armed when the argument is brought up that Christ is nothing more than a repeat of these other mythological gods. Once you know them you can argue with confidence how the similarities are absurd. Lets look at Dionysus the God of wine...

Dionysus also known as "Bacchus" 

 Greek God Of Wine , grape harvest , wine making and pleasure

Dionysus 200 BC

Mithra

 Zoroastrian divinity (yazata) of covenant and oath .Mithra of Persia 400 BC

"Mithra is an Iranian god of light and the cosmic order, sometimes called the son of Ahura Mazda, whom Mithra assists in the battle against evil. Mithra was born from a rock or cave, fought the sun, captured the divine bull, and went to heaven. Mithra may be portrayed with thousands of eyes and ears riding a chariot with white horses. He is often shown slaying a bull. 

The cult of Mithra is a mystery religion which became popular with Roman soldiers. To the Romans, Mithra was known as Deus Sol Invictus - Unconquered Sun God. Mithra may also be called Mitra or Mithras". 

and

 "Mithra is described in the Zoroastrian Avesta scriptures as, "Mithra of wide pastures, of the thousand ears, and of the myriad eyes,"(Yasna 1:3)" .

Osiris 

  Osiris is the god which most affected Egyptians' daily life and their life after death. Originally the god of agriculture, he quickly became the god of rebirth because plants grow again every year. Osiris is often painted green in pictures because of his identification with growing plants. Osiris was also said to have been the first king of Egypt. While he was king, he was murdered by his brother Seth and his body was chopped up into many pieces. Some say 13 others 14. Each piece was hidden in a different place in Egypt. Osiris's wife and sister Isis and his son Horus searched all through Egypt to find the pieces and brought them together again. However they did not find the phallus, leaving 13 pieces in the event of 14 pieces. 13 a relevant number eventually . At any rate  she made one from gold and wax (some myths say mud or clay). Promptly inventing the rites of embalming, and with her magical powers in full force, Isis brought Osiris back to life and conceived their child Horus..Some say that mummies are wrapped with bandages to make them look like Osiris, not because the wrappings are actually needed for anything. 

I could go on and on with the story of Set, Horus, Isis and Osiris and it is one that I encourage my readers to look into , as D. M. Murcdck, author of The Christ Conspiracy, the greatest story ever sold and her recent book  Christ in Egypt:The Horus-Jesus Connection desperately attempts  to disprove Christ.

Andonis 

 Greek mythology, beautiful youth beloved by Aphrodite and Persephone. He was born of the incestuous union of Myrrha (or Smyrna) and Cinyras, king of Cyprus. (Similar in incest to Iris and Osiris , Horus, not very similar to Christ .) Aphrodite left Adonis in the care of Persephone, who raised him and made him her lover. Aphrodite later demanded the youth for herself, but Persephone was unwilling to relinquish him. When Adonis was gored to death by a boar, both Persephone and Aphrodite claimed him. Zeus settled the dispute by arranging for Adonis to spend half the year (the summer months) above the ground with Aphrodite and the other half in the underworld with Persephone. Adonis' death and resurrection, symbolic of the yearly cycle of vegetation, were widely celebrated in ancient Greece in the midsummer festival Adonia. The worship of Adonis corresponds to the cults of the Phrygian Attis and the Babylonian Tammuz. Read more:  here Adonis, in Greek mythology.

Double Speak 

Other "Gods" who are presently being deemed as the same as Christ, by none other than D. M. Murdock, from The Truth be known web site (this is  double speak at its finest, for it is a site of lies) [  Doublespeak is language that deliberately disguises, distorts, or reverses the meaning of words. Doublespeak may take the form of euphemisms (e.g., "downsizing" for layoffs, "servicing the target" for bombing), in which case it is primarily meant to make the truth sound more palatable. It may also refer to intentional ambiguity in language or to actual inversions of meaning (for example, naming a state of war "peace"). In such cases, doublespeak disguises the nature of the truth. Doublespeak is most closely associated with political language] and others in the Zeitgeist movement and films claim that  Attis of Phrygia 200 BC,   Horus 3500 BC, Krishna 3228 BC  and  Zoaster 1200 BC, all are essentially the same.

"It's all about Jesus, that's all you have to pay attention to!" A quote from a Christian in the film ,who is  made to look gullible and ignorant. Christians who wish to defend the faith must have  knowledge of ancient history and mythology against the allegations that Christ is nothing more than another mythological character.

Christians love blood and Gore

I abhor blood and gore and admittedly have a problem still understanding the blood element to Christianity , drinking the blood, the blood sacrifice , being made pure by the blood. This is something I am still attempting to understand and absorb as true and necessary. However, Flemming presents rather than the conflict that I struggle with , and likely others with the blood  , Christians who love blood as evidenced   in the multi million dollar producing mega hit film by Mel Gibson, The Passion of Christ. An image of an Mayan is shown  holding a bleeding heart in his hand . There is no shortage in history of blood , virginal , human and animal sacrifice to the Gods. It has always been troubling to me. Eat his FLESH and DRINK His BLOOD.

Scene from Gibson's film The Passion Of Christ , Jesus on the cross

 The horribly brutal scenes (that are too violent for my taste, but the attempt was made for reality, claims Gibson and other supporters of the film ) Flemming calls  "...the bloody Jesus"  stating that it was the top grossing movie  at the box office, in fact, the  top pick for Christians!... with its  implication  that Christians love blood and gore.

Then on to the crazy evangelists...showing images of discredited , defamed and charlatan TV evangelists, who admittedly led far to many gullible Christians astray . Point? There is a sucker born every minute? Who should we be condemning, the deceived or the deceiver?

Christians wish to send to the electric chairs all homos

 

Flemming then goes on to state  "God hates Fags" quoting old testament  Leviticus  as the justification apparently for why Christians feel all gays should die. But has he forgotten that  Jews should hate fags too? I can not defend radical Christians who protest with slogans such as Turn or Burn and admittedly the subject of homosexuality is highly controversial.  It is unfortunate that such passionate Christians feel the need for such extreme demonstrations, I would like to remind ,  that he who has no sin should throw the first stone and Christians do need to beware of hypocrisy as well.  I don't condemn these radical demonstration, however Flemming is equally at fault for implying that all Christians believe in this method of describing their personally held interpretations of the bible. Flemming shows images of the electric chair , again with the implication that if Christians had their way they would have the act of sodomy illegal and punishable by death !

This IS NOT the view of most Christians.  It can not be said, non the less,that there aren't  adequate references that homosexuality is condemned in the Bible, neither is an array of other "sins". This particular issue is highly charged at this time in our society. It is not politically correct, at this time, to state an opposing view on same sex relationships, so at the least I , and others might too, recognize the bravery and conviction those who do take this issue out into the streets.

The Abdu Ghraib torturers were Christians 

From the imagery of the electric chair that is paired with protesting , presumable Christians the film moves on to Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse. During the War in Iraq, human rights violations, committed from late 2003 to early 2004, in the form of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, including torture, reports of rape, sodomy, and homicide ... Wikipedia The face of the female solider who holds her thumb up over a prisoner with other of the atrocities is directly linked to Christianity. This is dishonest at best. I ask where the correlations  are? American soldiers are all Christians? Or just the ones that like to torture?  How is this type of Christian bashing not questioned?

Torture  is Christian doctrine

 

The Inquisitions are shameful. Let us remember it was not the common man/Christian who was behind the heinous   acts , it was Papal power and those in church authority who carried out the torture. How Flemming can say that this  dark period dark in time, is an "expression of Christian doctrine ",  is shocking!  The viewer is pom-parted with a series of bloody awful pictures of gore and torture. Then quickly back to the passion of Mel Gibson where we are reminded that it  "was right to portray all of  the "Jews as Evil". Interesting, Gibson paid a dear price in his career and was black listed from the industry shortly after the success of his film. Jews rallied against the scenes where it clearly was the  Sadducee's who sentenced Jesus to death in a manner that parallels some of our own questionable legislation. How can we be asked to censor a film that portrays alleged  historical fact because it is unbecoming to a particular religious group?

Christians lack logic

Sam Harris

Sam Harris is an American author, philosopher, public intellectual, and neuroscientist, as well as the co-founder and CEO of Project Reason. Wikipedia

He brings up many interesting ideas that I have pondered for years. He states statistics that show that 22 % Christians believe that Jesus is coming back in the next 50 years , another 22 % think he probably will  and will do so in 'their lifetime Harris correctly states that   it is "maladaptive for planning a sustainable future "  and "certainly at a time to avoid global conflict "and furthermore that global conflict  is a precursor " to Jesus return".  

 I have shared the concerns that Harris expresses. I have struggled with the book of Revelation particularly. My question is what came/comes first , the chicken or the egg idea? Is it truly fulfillment of prophecy or are we fulfilling the prophecy   because it is there? I  loath the idea that before we can have a world of peace, such horrors that are outlined in the final book, the last days of the end times must occur first or be precursor  as Harris outlines. It is been an issue for me and my faith. It makes no logical sense. I personally reject it and still rely on the hope that man will see past his violent nature and will not resort to global war over religion and  territory . Fundamentalist Christians, however  say no, I think differently and conjure that other Christians do too. 

Sam Harris states that a fair percentage of Christians who would see a mushroom cloud over Jerusalem on the evening news "would see a silver lining" in the event . I'm afraid he is right and Christians  who might feel this way, need to seriously consider the implication of this statement and its meaning.

 Christians read the  LEFT BEHIND  series

I refuse to read these novels, however Flemming is right in addressing their immense popularity  .I can not comment intelligently on them therefore and do not intend to read them in the future. I dislike the premise and its implications. Again that we must face total global destruction before salvation at least for the majority apparently of unsaved on the planet.

The Left Behind Fiction Series

Then another scholar, and author states that it is a serious problem more or less when  anyone  nearly with a computer can publish things about Christianity or anything for that matter  , and others read it   and repeat as truth without investigation. In other words , concepts, history can be reported untruthfully and people believe it ! precisely the whole reason I created this blog . This brings me to D. M. Murdock who is perpetrating  the lie under the guise of truth no less in her double speak web site The Truth Be Known. So Christians check your facts!

Artists rendition of Biblical  Babylon

restored Babylon

The Rapture Letters

Founder of The Rapture Letters is featured frequently in the  film , where he is shown reading  a passage from an  end time prophecy from the book of Revelation of the Bible. He informs Flemming, that one of the 'signs' is the rebuilding of Babylon and that  in Iraq, or Sumur,/Ur it is in fact been being rebuilt for the past 20 years. Then, states to my great surprise, that Madonna came to christian  it! . She is being called the Whore of Babylon by many apocalyptic researchers .  This is stuff for another post  I fear!

Those who are saved are raptured into Heaven

Faith stops meaningful Dialogue

Harris says "faith is a conversation stopper" and this statement is also largely true. When Christians are asked something that demands a reasonable response, it is  to often met with an answer of "Because God says so", or its a "matter of faith", or just "because the Bible says so". This type of 'reasoning' from Christians , in my opinion needs to change. It feeds into  the anti-Christian movement, lead by 'reasonable' atheists, that Christians are ignorant, uneducated fools.

144,000 male virgin Jews ?  Apparently  they  will be raptured .  And...Christians that lose their heads? Director of the film goes on to say "He's not crazy", and that he likes the guy, hes a good guy...because he used to believe the same things "Scot believes" and now we see the man behind the documentary as Scots face transforms into his. Admirable courage Flemming ! We learn  "Yes I used to be a fundamentalist Christian too" !

He  believed   " Hell is a real place" and then  , similar imagery to Zeitgeist is shown , a favorite from Hieronymus Bosch,  a Dutch painter. His work is known for its use of fantastic imagery to illustrate moral and religious concepts and narratives. Wikipedia

Flemming lets us know that  Jesus is a great guy. However he warns the teachings claim be forgiven or be damned, yet, he will forgive you for anything...even forgive against speaking against himself . Yet, there is but one unforgivable sin,  where one will be  externally dammed (x2 it is stated  in the bible)

And that  unpardonable sin is to deny the Holy Ghost/Spirit. Flemming says, as luck would have it,it is  the Holy  Spirit/Ghost that  is the easiest to doubt. The one unforgivable sin , denial or rather questioning  of the Holy Ghost,  the director equates  , as 'thinking' is the greatest crime that Christians can make!

 Christians ...Don't think 

"...the greatest crime in fundamentalist Christianity is to think "

States Flemming in the nearing  dramatic conclusion of his clearly anti-Christian  film.

There is being served in this film, a personal vendetta as well, I'm afraid , which is so apparent I found myself embarrassed for Flemming . He ventures  back to his own  private Christian school to talk to its present administrator Dr. Ronald Sipus .

Then back to Harris again, where he lets us understand that we all  know that if  you are in dialogue with extraterrestrials or to deny the holocaust is synonymous with being crazy in our culture due to lack of evidence , expect for matters of faith. He asks what scientific evidence do Christians  have that the world acts this way? Harris paves the way to show how crazy Dr. Sipus must be.

To Deny the reality of God, sets off our narrator ...the Principal of the Christan based school that teaches 1800 students, says emphatically, "...that there is empirical evidence for the existence  of God". I agree. But the intent of Flemming is show how ignorant , uninformed and yes even crazy this man/Dr./teacher is.

Flemming states that the Bible is symbolic literature and asks Dr. Sipus "Do you  really think that you should teach that it is real ?" Dr. Sipus , composed is clearly showing  a slight irritation and says  that the  director "...was dishonest " in representing what they were going to talk about. Sipus  ends up walking out on the interview .  Flemming shows this, I think it showed move of Flemming's agenda and  malignant  intent which is indicated as  he ends his documentary in  his church (where he was born again three times) holding the camera to show his face, while he declares that he denies the Holy Ghost/spirit  and the scene goes black  and the words are presented ....I am not afraid . 

Wow! Flemming has intentionally committed  the one unforgivable sin for all the world to behold. He blasphemed in his own church! He sure put his thumb up to God and Jesus Christ and he has no fear of any repercussions...he is not afraid. OK, that is fine, good for you , however this is an anti-Christian film which slanders, insults, degrades , and abuses Christians. It is interesting to note, if this were done in the same manner against Homosexuals or Jews, for instance , what would the public outcry be then?


sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithra

http://ancienthistory.about.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doublespeak

http://www.mummyfriends.com

http://www.deborahkingcenter.com

http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia

It doesnt exist because I say so! Logic acoording to Murdock

Its all a Fraud

Murdock , in her chapter on non biblical sources, sites the famous Jewish historian Flavius Josephus as a likely source to write about Jesus largely because he wrote during the first century. Reasoning that it seems logical that he would mention certainly in his writings , as a competent historian of the time, a prominent social, political and religious figure such as Jesus Christ . Murdock states in prelude that

 "there are basically no non-biblical references to a historical Jesus

 by any known historian of the time …" (4)

She cites Joseph Wheless author of Forgery in Christianity and Is It Gods Word? heavily. She writes:

 "Of Josephus and this stupid forgery."

 Harsh words that resound with contempt, not serious scholarly work as Murdock sees herself. Wheless says:

…Jesus the Christ-though some score of other Joshuas, or Jesuses , are recorded by him, nor does he mention any of his transcendent wonders… (5)

and then Murdock comes to the conclusion that

"Josephus is silent on the subject of Christ and Christianity" (4)

This is a puzzling conclusion given that Josephus states that Christ was a doer of "incredible things" granted this is brief and very broad , however "incredible things " is not a far stretch to "transcendent wonders", which is equally broad and brief. In addition, how can this paragraph in the writings of Josephus , under any stretch of the imagination, be considered "silent" on the matter of Christ and Christianity? It can be I suppose if you ignore the words , or without justification reduce them to stupid forgeries.

About this time lived Jesus, a man full of wisdom, if indeed one may call Him a man. For He was the doer of incredible things, and the teacher of such as gladly received the truth. He thus attracted to Himself many Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ. On the accusation of the leading men of our people, Pilate condemned Him to death upon the cross; nevertheless those who had previously loved Him still remained faithful to Him. For on the third day He again appeared to them living, just as, in addition to a thousand other marvellous things, prophets sent by God had foretold. And to the present day the race of those who call themselves Christians after Him has not ceased. (6)

If these statements have and are forgeries , yes it is highly important and relevant , however I can not take the word of Murdock that they are forgeries because she says so. Why are they thought to be so? Present this data . If it is compelling I too may draw the same conclusion, but given no evidence to back her claim other than citing Wheless , who is also “silent” on the whys is not good policy for a sincere truth seeker. Her primary source Wheels has the same tunnel vision in that he writes that “Josephus made no mention Of Jesus , called Christ.” I reference the writings from the Catholic Encyclopedia , a source favored by Murdock. Jesus, Christ, Christians are all mentioned once. Given this is thin at best and yes one would expect more on this matter, however it does not constitute non existence of reference!

The next chapter, Further Evidence of Fraud was nearly impossible for me to read , but it is rather easy to summarize, all and any references to Christ, Christianity or Jesus, no matter from whom , respected or not ….lied, made it up , forged it. A noted historian is Pliny The Younger….Fraud! Suetonius…another fraud!even the Jews Talmudic references to Jesus….”not reliable”. And as Murdock and Wheless allege that what is written about Christ is all a fraud , none of it exists! Soon one has to question the credibly of the source. I find it particularly disturbing how Murdock, in one breath, informs her reader that Josephus was forged by none other than Eusebius and she lets us know previously what a proficient forger he truly was. How did he forge? By inserting the text we read above that doesn’t exist in Murdock or Wheless world because it is forged. Then in the next chapter, first page, she uses his words, yes the forger Eusebius, to prove her statement. What statement?

“…in the face of criticism that Christianity was fabricated, Eusebius sought to demonstrate it was “novel or strange” by claiming it was based on older idea”,

writes Murdock. How can she in a few short pages claim he is the forger of the work that is one of the best substantiation for the existence of Christ , yet find credible any thing else he might write. Why would one give any merit to anything such a man , given true the haneous allegation of Fraud and interpolation (that is introduced or inserted), would write? How does she reconcile this paradox?

He believes that the idea of Christianity is based on older ideas. So? It is clear she uses what ever suits her means, including the words of alleged forgers. This is no defense by Eusebius either of a fabricated religion. Religions by their very nature will have similarities between one another, this does not mean that they sprouted from each other , or fabricated a fraud on the new religion. Treating one another with kindness, the golden rule, fairness, respect, restraint murder, thievery , these are not new concepts. They are older ideas, from the beginning of mans first awakening some might suspect. This is no way negates Christianity nor proves it is not fabricated. Poor logic at best .

Mudock cites Gerald Massey heavily in her fraud section and threw out her book, it is Massey who was the first writer to put forth the concept of Jesus = Horus in The Natural Genesis. I think it is important to note that the sources that are cited by Murdock are not primary sources. This is a theory put forth by Massey using his work to validate the same theory makes no sense. Let me make this simple analogy , I put forth that Jesus was a women. I am going to prove that this is true by my research and references which prove this to be true. then I proceed to cite another author whom believes that Jesus was a women. There , see it is true , the other writer and me agree! You are simply stupid if you can not see it. this type of condensation is seen from Murdock in her books and voids and to some extent in the Zeitgeist movies presentation as well.

1. His writings have influenced various later authors such as Alvin Boyd Kuhn, Tom Harpur, and Acharya S, that would be D. M. Murdock.

2. Some of the similarities that Massey claimed existed are that they both

3. Were born of virgins on December 25

4. Taught in a temple as a child at age 12

5. Were teachers who had 12 Disciples

6. Were baptized in a river

7. Gave a sermon on the mount

8. Healed the sick

9. Raised men from the dead (El-Asar-Us for Horus, Lazarus for Jesus)

10. Died by crucifixion

11. Were resurrected three days later. (9)

 

Thing start to get crazy when Murdock says it is a fact that Christians were considered criminals, not so much for their beliefs but for practices that include infantile and orgies. The Old Testament (OT) is stocked with condemnation for the practices of infantile to God Moloch (representing Semitic) מלך m-l-k, root meaning "king" the OT tells Christians in Leviticus 18:21: "And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Moloch" I. e don’t burn your children . Murdock sympathizes with the pagans and there ill treatment from the Christians.

Buddha Assertions

Appears the miracles are correct while the birthday is completely wrong, April 9 568 B.C. While many if not most allegations to the similaities to CHrist and the Buddha are present , one is offset when a truth is found, however in a court of law, when testifying , when the witness is found guilty of one or several lies, they are discredited and reduced to status of ‘incredible’ , namely nothing they say can be relied on as truth or accurate reporting. This is how we must view Murdock. The birthday allegation of Dec. 25 is absurd and as many “debunkers” have pointed out, it is irevantant . I taught my children , that Christmas eve and day were a symbolic day of Christs birth that correlated with the winter solstice when they were young children. It is nearly in the realm of common knowledge , even among devote Christians , that Christ was not born on Dec 25 th , that the chaloic church overlaid its Christian dates onto of pagan holidays to make the transition more palatable .

Laughing Buddha, found often in restaurants where children are encouraged to rub his tummy for good luck...

 

On this day, Buddhists celebrate the commemoration of the birth of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, thought to have lived in India from 563 B.C. to 483 B.C. Actually, the Buddhist tradition that celebrates his birthday on April 8 originally placed his birth in the 11th century B.C., and it was not until the modern era that scholars determined that he was more likely born in the sixth century B.C., and possibly in May rather than April. (10)

miracles

On the first day Buddha held his toothpick, put it on the ground and it turned to the wish fulfilling tree. It was decorated with jewels, like a Christmas tree. On the second day Buddha manifested two wish fulfilling jewels. The third day the king offered to wash Buddha's feet. When Buddha washed his feet, he threw the water and it became a pool with the eight special qualities of water. Whoever drank or touched it were healed. Today there is a well there where small amounts of water are offered for sale. It is useful for treating disease. On the fourth day it rained and the rain filled the eight canals. The fifth day Buddha emitted golden light from his mouth and people could see beings of the six realms being liberated. On the sixth day Buddha transformed some energy and everyone became clairvoyant and knew each others minds. On the seventh day Buddha manifested as the wheel turning king and many people converted to Buddhism. Up to that time the Hindu teachers had not shown miracles. On the eighth day the gods from Indra's palace sponsored the meals. They served Buddha and made offerings to him. Buddha's hand pressed the side of his seat and a thundering sound was emitted. Five frightening giant cannibals came out of the ground and they went for the seats of the Hindu teachers. Vajrapani also threatened the Hindu teachers. The Hindu teachers ran away. Vajrapani manifested a great storm. It became a tornado which picked up the Hindu teachers and their retinues and tossed them in the water. 60,000 Hindus converted that day and many monks attained the arhat's state and understanding. The gods showered flowers. (11)

Where Murock loses all credibility is in her assertion in her book (page 110 ) that “In some traditions, he died on a cross”. When I researched this I found nothing. But when I see the source that Murdock references , it makes sense. She references Albert Pike! So what? Well Pike has an agenda , which is without doubt anti-Jesus, Christian …not atheists , but Luciferian this is the spokesman of the Free masons .

More from Pike~

Pike in 'Instructions' issued by him, on July 14, 1889, to the 23 Supreme Councils of the world and have been recorded by A. C. De La Rive in La Femme et l' Enfant dans la Franc-Maconnerie Universelle (page 588) from which book we translate and quote as follows :

"That which we must say to the crowd is – We worship a God, but it is the God that one adores without superstition.

"To you, Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, we say this, that you may repeat it to the Brethren of the 32nd, 31st and 30th degrees – The Masonic religion should be, by all of us initiates of the high degrees, maintained in the purity of the Luciferian doctrine.

"If Lucifer were not God, would Adonay (The God of the Christians) whose deeds prove his cruelty, perfidy, and hatred of man, barbarism and repulsion for science, would Adonay and his priests, calumniate him ?

" Yes, Lucifer is God, and unfortunately Adonay is also God. For the eternal law is that there is no light without shade, no beauty without ugliness, no white without black, for the absolute can only exist as two Gods : darkness being necessary to light to serve as its foil as the pedestal is necessary to the statue, and the brake to the locomotive.

"In analogical and universal dynamics one can only lean on that which will resist. Thus the universe is balanced by two forces which maintain its equilibrium : the force of attraction and that of repulsion. These two forces exist in physics, philosophy and religion. And the scientific reality of the divine dualism is demonstrated by the phenomena of polarity and by the universal law of sympathies and antipathies. That is why the intelligent disciples of Zoroaster, as well as after them, the Gnostics, the Manicheans and the Templars have admitted, as the only logical metaphysical conception, the system of the two divine principles fighting eternally, and one cannot believe the one inferior in power to the other.

" Thus, the doctrine of Satanism is a heresy; and the true and pure philosophic religion is the belief in Lucifer, the equal of Adonay; but Lucifer, God of Light and God of Good, is struggling for humanity against Adonay, the God of Darkness and Evil."

This is from a mans ideology that Murdock used in her Introduction as her first quote and then slips him as ‘in some traditions” , a secret society, brotherhood is considered a tradition? Buddha died on a cross. Only this lie would be propagated by Pike to deceive Christians into the same derailment that Zeitgeist presents in Part one. Jesus is not real, Jesus is simply a repeat story, myth of others, Murdock calls them “characters” or “major players” , such as Buddha, Attis,

*Can we trust a scholar you makes a video on selling you her newest calendar from her publishing company? Her videos and interviews are shamefully filled with self promotion and book sales.

Venus Project

Venus project splits with zeitgeist Venus project approved explanation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJbRM46tltI

Acharya S. D. M. Murodck review of The Christ Conspiracy , The Greatest Story ever Sold

Sources  for Zeitgeist Ambiguous 

"Scholar" for part one Questionable 

Acharya  S. (meaning guru or teacher ) , begs the question right off the bat why she needs such a new age genderless and somewhat pretentious pseudonym  or  D.M. Murdock is the author of  the Christ Conspiracy  The Greatest Story ever Sold. Her book and theories largely are responsible  for the  claims made in the first section of the Zeitgeist Movie. References or historical facts to support the claims made in part one on comparative religions  in Zeitgeist, are missing in the narrative.  Interestingly, how is  the book written by Murdock, The Greatest Story Ever Sold has a sarcastic twist on told to sold, implying its nothing more than a marketing ploy. Christ is presented as a myth, best case   , and a downright  lie, in the worst case,  created from a conglomerate of ancient religions for a nefarious end: control.

The movie presents that Christ is a fallacy, in a  fast passed account, without citing  credible references ,   presented  as indisputable   fact, not theory   that Christ , boiled down to its simplest form,  really represents  the sun. Yes , you read that right the sun and his disciples  are the stars. In fact, the first paragraph from its online Companion Source Guide, created no doubt as a response  from the Truth seeking community for references to back her claims,  shows  an image of a setting  sun,  with the caption The Greatest Story Ever Told. Murdock writes,

1. "This is the sun. As far back as 10,000 B.C., history is abundant with carvings and writings reflecting people’s respect and adoration for this object." (1)

reinforcing instantly , if you thought that you were getting it right  after viewing the Zeitgeist movies  implication that  Jesus Christ was really the sun, not Thee Son,  you were right.

Peter Joseph (withholds his last name and these two names may not be real either) creator of the zeitgeist film series and the Movement. This is a Charismatic man, be not deceived !

The Zeitgeist director , Peter Joseph informs  his readers in the companion guide that  part one of his  movie,   on the controversial subject of Christianity is,  based on "historical data". He informs his readers :

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” presents historical data relating to the astronomi- cal/astrological origins of the Judeo-Christian theology (which can be extended to Islam as well), along with the understanding that these respective stories, beliefs & traditions are really an adaptation-extension of prior Pagan beliefs. (1)

After viewing the film I went searching on line for the references to those historical facts  or "data"so bluntly missing from the film, when I found the site truthbeknown.com/zeitgeistsource. This is the best I have found. Murdock's own site and article …… link for sources was broken at the time of this writing, in the same paragraph where she refutes the allegations  of sloppy work in  Skeptics Mangles Zietgeist (and Religious History)  by Acharya S aka D. M. Murdock . Murdock writes

"It is a curious fact that writers who toss around the words "sloppy," "garbled" and "nonsense" are often guilty of these very things themselves. "(4)

A broken link on ones own website , is sloppy at best. Check it out for yourself click on sources and this is what you will see :

404 (Page Not Found) Error - Ever feel like you're in the wrong place?

The thruthbeknowen  (  Murdocks site )  is not a scholarly bibliography at all , nor any source site that one can reference,  certainly  not  the serious scholar. It reads:

"Contrary to popular misconception, the information in the religion part of the hit Internet movie, the first "Zeitgeist" film comes from numerous primary sources, including the following, as well as the works of highly credentialed authorities in the best academic publications, also listed here. It should be noted that this list does not include the multitude of other artifacts and writings from antiquity that may be found in the other works of D.M. Murdock/Acharya S. (3) (italics  added)

and then the list begins

Primary Sources, Publications and Scholars Cited in The ZEITGEIST Sourcebook

Ancient artifacts and archaeological sites
Lascaux, Altamira and Trois Freres cave paintings

Tassili N'Aijer figures

Mohenjo-daro, 
Indus Valley site
Goseck, 
Germany
Thirteen Towers, 
Chankillo, 
Peru

Nabta Playa, 
Egypt

Karanovo Tablet

Dendera zodiac and other Egyptian artifacts

Brindisi disk
Greek pottery, 
paintings, mosaics, temples
Roman mosaics, paintings and statuary
Early Christian artifacts, etc.

Murdock does research in a variety of languages, both modern and ancient, such as: Ancient and modern Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Vedic, Persian, Egyptian, Coptic, French, Italian, Spanish, German and a smattering of other languages as the need arises.

Ancient Writings
Egyptian hymns, 
hieroglyphs, papyri and carvings

Pyramid Texts
Coffin Texts
Book of the Dead

Herodotus

Berossus

Diodorus

Porphyry

Eusebius

Pausanias

Bible

Pythagoras

Plato

Aristotle

Diodorus 
Siculus

Epiphanius

Hippolytus

Plutarch

Tertullian

Justin Martyr

Minucius Felix

Clement Alexandrinus

Tatian

Augustine

Arnobius

Julius Firmicus Maternus

Lactantius

Macrobius

Julian

Vedas

Mahabharata
Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavata
 Purana

Mahāvastu
Lalita Vistara

Vishnu Purana

Hesiod

Homer

Euripides

Proclus

Origen

Celsus

Philo

Josephus

Avesta

Pseudo-Eratosthenes

Venerable Bede

Cyprian

Ambrose

Hipparchus

Archelaus
Epic of Gilgamesh
Assyrian, Babylonia, Akkadian tablets

Dead Sea Scrolls

 A Dead sea scroll housed in the Museum in Jerusalem 


Tacitus

To be topped off with the  vague statement :

"The information also comes from the best and most thorough, scholarly and modern sources wherever possible, with the result that many authorities cited possess credentials from respected institutes of higher learning, and their publishers are some of the most scholarly in English (and other languages), such as the following."

 This is laughable to anyone who does research and relies on sources to check the claims, theories  and allegations of a writer. This list  does not allow anyone ( I contend it is humanly impossible ) to to reference or pursue the source of Murdocks claims and therefore Zeitgeist in its entirety .     We see the author listed, never the book from the volumes of material produced by these admittedly great minds and scholars produced from history and certainly not the page reference. The Dead Sea Scrolls are referenced in their entirety  when about 15,000 fragments and more than 500 manuscripts were found. The complete bible is listed. She goes to the extreme to  even list the Vedas, which one? your guess.

Manuscripts from one of the four  Vedas

This is an extreme amount of material nearly surpassing the Dead sea scrolls in material and volume. "The Rig-Vedic ‘samhita’ or collection of mantras consists of 1,017 hymns or ‘suktas’, covering about 10,600 stanzas, divided into eight ‘astakas’ each having eight ‘adhayayas’ or chapters, which are sub-divided into various groups"

 What exactly was referenced? How can one go back and read for oneself the material to validate these extreme findings? Never matter that it is impossible to know when the Vedas, Bible or Dead Sea Scrolls   are sited in the film series on comparative religion.  (On a side note, Murdock does not cite these references in her book,  she relies heavily on Walker, Massey, Wayless) Is Murdock suggesting that she has read all of these works?  Could anyone read the entire collection of all the authors listed above? Visit the archaeological  sites and countries that Murdock cited? She lists Peru and Egypt, tombs? the Nile? What cities?  Giza or  Subra al-Haymah or   maccu picho ( Is it possible with limited time and funds ?) It is questionable if it is even humanly possible , ( I contend it is not)  it is too much, however to expect of a serious  layman wishing to pursue the validity of Murdock's claims , hence Zeitgeists premise that all religion is nothing short of a fraud .

Further more,  how is one to source the "best and most thorough scholarly and modern sources" or "respected institutions  of higher learning and their publishers"? One can not. The vagueness of these statements are shameful! What professor would accept those statements as citations for your research? My 13 year old in middle school is being taught to CITE YOUR SOURCES ,  if she cited that she used "modern sources" and publishers of higher learning and that she visited Peru and Egypt, the middle school teacher would be correcting her ridiculous attempt to get around the work of creating a reference for her paper.

Murdock cites more, check it out for yourself , but you get the point. truthbeknown.com/zeitgeistsource. Yet it was this lack of references that lead me to the conclusion that Murdock’s book was at the core of the claims found in the Zietgeist movie.  As Murdock herself says in one of her numerous videos… the film has gone viral! And yes, Murdock alludes that she has in fact read all the materials above, has digested it and figured it out. In her source book companion guide she gives a message to the readers:

"In this day and age, it is obvious that many people are not inclined or available timewise to read large tomes of scholarly writings in order to “fig- ure it all out.” This fact of time-constraint as well as difficulty in subject matter is the major reason “ZEITGEIST” was so successful in the first place, as it provided a short and easily digestible summary of the issue at hand: To wit, the origins of some of our most cherished religious ideas." (1)

Well Guru, I'm inclined and have the time but I contend that it is impossible. If on the other-hand you actually sourced the material in a scholarly manner, that is, make a statement and then footnote it with the author, page number , publisher etc...(now in Murdocks book , this is done, but again  Plato, Dead Sea Scrolls, Vedas, Homer in fact NONE of the sources listed above are found in her book The Christ Conspiracy,  the primary source for part One of the Zeitgeist movie! We do however  find free mason Albert Pike and occultist Helena Blavatsky

Wanting to learn more about the primary source materials used in the Zeitgeist film,   I promptly went to Amazon and three days later my package arrived  The Greatest Story ever Sold (great play on words admittedly) .This is my journey into her claims. It is vital that they be understood. Why? This is the aeon   of a Truth movement in an age of awakening at the same time it is under global control of a powerful self serving  elite. This control has been in place for hundreds, if not thousand of years and it is only now, as far as we know, that man , collectively is  becoming aware of his prisoner status.

This is truly a remarkable time to be living. Within seconds information is translated across the globe and shared. Gone are the days of literacy being held in the care of the few. Books that took years to  scribe,  the illiterate   poor are a thing of the past , books in European nations once  only available in Greek or Latin, such as the Bible,   these days are gone . Information is everywhere. Within minutes I can click and pay for a hard to find book on Amazon, download E-books, watch educational videos, here collage lectures... education is no longer not available  to the masses , as it once was.The truth is being revealed.

Murdock and the Zeitgeist movies,(three) particularly those about the claims of Christ (911 and banking issues seems to be well researched and are based largely on facts that anyone can research to come to a similar conclusion.) as those who hold the power and control would and have disseminated disinformation for its own ends. However, it is blatantly clear that there is an agenda to do away with Christ , as the second film address the same subject matter. Now that the zeitgeist has been converted into a movement, it does not take much to see that one of the  steps, after joining...signing up for e-mails initially, is to rid oneself of the phony belief system of Christianity. It is alluded that  this has been indirectly  a leading cause of war, hunger and human suppressed development both spiritually and especially when it come to technology.

At first I wanted to give Peter Joseph a way out... I really have to admit that I liked him...allot. Watching the videos of him, I found him concise, intelligent... he just made sense and I found that he appeared to be a man albeit handsome an  artist/musician living in New York, who could be well....trusted.  See the mini doc below "who is Peter Joseph?"




 I have never had this feeling for Murdock. Her self serving book selling arrogance makes it hard for me to read her words or listen to her via video or radio. ( I do it because I am called to do so ) I thought maybe Peter made simply a bad call when he solicited Murdock , supposedly at the last minute as a consultant for part one of his movie. I thought maybe he was lead astray even in faulty academia , he certainly has lost follows as a result of her lack of professionalism and shoddy work. However,  he has persisted to endorse the thesis  that Christ is a myth, that he really is the son, his disciples nothing more than zodiac representations  and to hold on 'blindly' to these belief systems holds us back from unity, from feeding the   hungry in the world and global peace. Who doesn't want social change of this magnitude ? But why does it have to include sheding ones beleif in Jesus Christ?