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The film Zeitgeist became an overnight internet sensation with its claims Christianity was based upon a pagan solar mythology. This idea, developed in the eighteenth century but dismissed as ridiculous by scholars, has held support among anti-religious and occultic thinkers and recently was popularized by conspiracy theorists. In the first of a two volume critique of these ideas, Albert McIlhenny takes on the claims of its best known supporters. By the end of this volume, the theory of "astrotheology" is show to be based on various historical mistakes popular in early modernity but since shown to be erroneous. It is demonstrated the source of its current support is not based upon any evidence but the wild claims of conspiracy theorists dressed up to look like scholarship.
The biblical figure of Moses has been the center of fascination for over 2,000 years, but what do we actually know about him? Was he a real person? Did the Exodus truly happen? Or is the story in the Pentateuch a mythical account written centuries after the alleged events? Why does Moses's story resemble that of other, older lawgivers and legendary predecessors? Why are there so many elements of sun and wine god myths in the tale of Moses? What does the focus on the serpent in his story signify? Who were Yahweh and the Elohim? Did Moses Exist? includes: Maps and 126 illustrations Extensive bibliography, table of contents and index Hundreds of footnotes and citations from primary sources in m...
About the Book The development of a moral democracy in America was undertaken amidst war and colonial disagreement. This was just the beginning as America’s founders embodied democracy within a Constitution including procedures for making future adjustments (laws) as needed. Early on, historians called this the “great experiment.” Today, the foundations of this experiment are under attack and not with physical violence only or just from without, but coming from a distorted ideology emerging within America’s own borders. Value confusion and value polarization have many in their grips as the shade of reasoning appears to have been lowered making room for half-truths and outright lies. ...
This calendar charts holidays from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and elsewhere into the modern era to demonstrate not only the ancient astromythology and nature-worshiping religion, but the comparisons between Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and others.
Studies in the Historical Jesus: Anarchy, Miracles, and Madness is a selection of key essays on the historical figure of Jesus published over the last fifteen years by Justin J. Meggitt. Each addresses a central question in the study of Jesus and his context, from the role of myth in the creation of traditions about him and the historicity of his miracles, to the problem of his politics and the reasons for his execution. The collection brings fresh perspectives and new data to bear on enduring debates, and demonstrates the value of "history from below" in making sense of the historical Jesus and the world that made him.
It is well known that some Americans are obsessed with conspiracies. Films, best-selling books, and television shows talk about plots by the Illuminati or sightings of black helicopters. But American society has changed dramatically since A Culture of Conspiracy was first published in 2001. In this revised and expanded edition, leading expert Michael Barkun delves deeper into America's conspiracy subculture, exploring the rise of 9/11 conspiracy theories, the "birther" controversy surrounding Barack Obama's American citizenship, and how the conspiracy landscape has changed with the rise of the Internet and other new media. Unraveling the extraordinary genealogies and permutations of these in...
A coming-of-age book of a young man and his early commitment to religion and the trials, struggles and complexities of religion. A glimpse into the authors private life from childhood through adulthood and his decision to pull away from organized religion. The author brings insight into religion from personal experiences and research into the relationship of religion to physical, mental and psychological well-being on humans. Obsolescence and Vanishing Ethos explores personal trials and cover such topics as guilt, control, issues of the church and sex, masturbation and homosexuality, as well as topics on the anthropological aspect and religion as a business enterprise.
In this book, Simon Perry has brought together a discussion of politics, philosophy, religion, and science by using the Declaration of Independence as a backdrop. He questions whether Jefferson was motivated by God. Is there a role for religion in our government? Is God real or a fantasy? Is the Good Book really good? Why has man turned to God to achieve eternal life? Does the mythicism of creation prevail over evolution? Is man indoctrinated at an early age to accept God unconditionally? These are but a few of the questions that he deals with. As you read, you will discover others. He spent five years researching this book and it relies heavily on the great scholars of religion, science, and politics. This book lays bare our cognitive distortions of who we are and where we came from.
In Uses and Abuses of Moses, Theodore Ziolkowski surveys the major literary treatments of the biblical figure of Moses since the Enlightenment. Beginning with the influential treatments by Schiller and Goethe, for whom Moses was, respectively, a member of a mystery cult and a violent murderer, Ziolkowski examines an impressive array of dramas, poems, operas, novels, and films to show the many ways in which the charismatic figure of Moses has been exploited—the “uses and abuses” of the title—to serve a variety of ideological and cultural purposes. Ziolkowski’s wide-ranging and in-depth study compares and analyzes the attempts by nearly one hundred writers to fill in the gaps in the ...
Does God exist? Does He do anything in this world? Famous authors like Richard Dawkins suggest strongly that it is very unlikely, but how unlikely is it? God Doesn't; We Do brings James A. Lindsay's mathematical expertise to the question and is able to put the matter under a microscope only available through an understanding of abstract mathematics, which he makes accessible to any reader. Because of that, this book will change the conversation about the existence of God. The central theme of this book, though, points out that even if there were a God, we have no reason to believe He does anything at all in this world. Thus the responsibility is on us, as it always has been, to make our worl...