RfRx - Playing God: The Evolutionary History of World Religions, featuring David Fitzgerald
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- Опубликовано: 19 июн 2024
- This week on RfRx, author David Fitzgerald returns to present his recent scholarly findings in the field of global religious history. The presentation will cover the different evolutionary stages all religions appear to have gone through, the surprising twists and turns in the development of monotheism, how all our major religions appear to share the problem of having imaginary founders, and more.
David Fitzgerald is an atheist author, public speaker and historical researcher who has been actively investigating the Historical Jesus question for over twenty years. He was an associate member of CSER (the former Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion). He lectures around the world at universities, national secular events, churches, and secular and religious groups. He has appeared on The Atheist Experience television program and in several documentaries, including Batman & Jesus, My Week in Atheism and most recently, Marketing the Messiah.
David’s latest book is the three-volume set Jesus: Mything in Action (the follow-up book to his classic on Jesus Mythicism, NAILED: Ten Christian Myths that Show Jesus Never Existed at All) and the newest addition to his ongoing series, The Complete Heretic’s Guide to Western Religion. He is currently working on the two next titles in the series, Sex & Violence in the Bible and The Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Hosted by Kara Griffin, RfR Online Programming Director, and Helen Green, RfR Ambassador
Recorded on April 15, 2024
Guest Links:
everybodylovesdave@gmail.com
The primary focus of Recovering from Religion (RfR) is to offer hope, healing, and support to those struggling with issues of doubt and non-belief. This transitional period is an ongoing process that can result in a range of emotions, as well as a ripple effect of consequences throughout an individual’s life. We are here to help each other through this journey.
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Fascinating, super informative discussion. Its clear that IF there is GOD, that GOD is definitely playing "Cryptic Clue" with us !!!
No it is just you trying to make up a fictional story from very fragmented evidence.
Hello everyone. I just wnated to say what a great interview this was. It's the first time this channel came up in my feed and I thought you did a fantastic job. I am huge, HUGE fan of David Fitzgerald and I feel like I can almost lip-sinc along with him on any given interview because I've heard them all. That being said you guys actually suprised me with a very interesting and welcomed new line of questioning. You got into into areas that I personally have not heard asked of David and it was a very interesting conversation. I was particularly intrigued by the line of questioning around what a "good religion" would look like and if it's possible. I also really liked David's overview of how Christianity has evolved from Zoroastrianism. Perhaps my perspective is skewed but it seems like that time frame between 500bc to 200bc was a flurry of evolution and cross pollination of religions throughout the near east. I would have been interested in David's thoughts as to what conditions might have ecouraged such an abundance change and evolution at that time. I would guess it would be due the expansion of the Greek and the Roman empire in large part but I'd enjoy his insights to that question.
If I might offer a suggestion as new viewer - I think the line of questioning and general tone of the interview was fantastic. I typically will look for an hour plus long interview or podcast for my drive to work and just listen while I drive. I'd wager many people do something similar. I think a better intro format of the show would be benificial to listeners. Something along the lines of the host detailing who all is involved in the interview and if it's going to change from interview to Q&A at some point. Other hosts or interviewers might introduce themselves at the outset so a listener knows who they are when they start talking 30 or 40 minutes into the interview. These are not all absolute necessities but it makes for a smoother and more professionally produced segment for a person only listening. That's it. Just some audio tweaks but otherwise I really enjoyed it. I will definitely be subscribing and checking out your back catologue. CHEERS!
Just ordered Nailed on Audible! Thank you all for this most interesting podcast!
Can't wait for this information! Don't care what it costs. I've been trying to do this comparative work and been pulling my hair out!
What can be said about the temple that the Babylonians destroyed in 586 BCE? To what god was that temple dedicated to?
Thank you all. This was fascinating. I'd like to know more about extra-biblical evidence, especially about Ahab and Jezebel. Where can I find this evidence?
I genuinely wonder if David Fitzgerald has lost his mind after this podcast. Nobody who's actually done research on this topic can come to some of these hairbrained statements or conclusions. Nevertheless, I'll check the book, when he decides to finally publish it.
This has too many hosts and it should be Kara. Or they could rotate. But at one point there were too many hosts talking and David didn't answer the question.
A segment from 'Saved by the Light of the Buddha Within'...
My new understandings of what many call 'God -The Holy Spirit' - resulting from some of the extraordinary ongoing after-effects relating to my NDE...
Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what some scientists are now referring to as the unified field of consciousnesses. In other words, it’s the essence of all existence and non-existence - the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent. All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. Consciousness (enlightenment) is itself the actual creator of everything that exists now, ever existed in the past, or will exist in the future - right down to the minutest particles of dust - each being an individual ripple or wave.
The big difference between chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and most other conventional prayers is that instead of depending on a ‘middleman’ to connect us to our state of inner enlightenment, we’re able to do it ourselves. That’s because chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo allows us to tap directly into our enlightened state by way of this self-produced sound vibration. ‘Who or What Is God?’ If we compare the concept of God being a separate entity that is forever watching down on us, to the teachings of Nichiren, it makes more sense to me that the true omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of what most people perceive to be God, is the fantastic state of enlightenment that exists within each of us. Some say that God is an entity that’s beyond physical matter - I think that the vast amount of information continuously being conveyed via electromagnetic waves in today’s world gives us proof of how an invisible state of God could indeed exist.
For example, it’s now widely known that specific data relayed by way of electromagnetic waves has the potential to help bring about extraordinary and powerful effects - including an instant global awareness of something or a mass emotional reaction. It’s also common knowledge that these invisible waves can easily be used to detonate a bomb or to enable NASA to control the movements of a robot as far away as the Moon or Mars - none of which is possible without a receiver to decode the information that’s being transmitted. Without the receiver, the data would remain impotent. In a very similar way, we need to have our own ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our own life, all other life and what everything else in existence is.
Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach the core of our enlightenment and keep it switched on. That’s because Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what scientists now refer to as the unified field of consciousnesses. To break it down - Myoho represents the Law of manifestation and latency (Nature) and consists of two alternating states. For example, the state of Myo is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists - including our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them - our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re dormant - our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma - and more importantly, our enlightenment.
The other state, ho, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes evident to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory - whenever we experience or express our emotions - or whenever a good or bad cause manifests as an effect from our karma. When anything becomes apparent, it merely means that it’s come out of the state of Myo (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ho (manifestation). It’s the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing.
The second law - Renge - Ren meaning cause and ge meaning effect, governs and controls the functions of Myoho - these two laws of Myoho and Renge, not only function together simultaneously but also underlies all spiritual and physical existence.
The final and third part of the tri-combination - Kyo, is the Law that allows Myoho to integrate with Renge - or vice versa. It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects all Life and matter - as well as the past, present and future. It’s also sometimes termed the Universal Law of Communication - perhaps it could even be compared with the string theory that many scientists now suspect exists.
Just as the cells in our body, our thoughts, feelings and everything else is continually fluctuating within us - all that exists in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux - constantly controlled by these three fundamental laws. In fact, more things are going back and forth between the two states of Myo and ho in a single moment than it would ever be possible to calculate or describe. And it doesn’t matter how big or small, famous or trivial anything or anyone may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of the Laws ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ - the basis of the four fundamental forces, and if they didn’t function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. That’s because all forms of existence, including the seasons, day, night, birth, death and so on, are moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation - rhythmically reverting back and forth between the two fundamental states of Myo and ho in absolute accordance with Renge - and by way of Kyo. Even stars are dying and being reborn under the workings of what the combination ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ represents. Nam, or Namu - which mean the same thing, are vibrational passwords or keys that allow us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’.
On a more personal level, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives - as well as the environment from moment to moment. By facing east, in harmony with the direction that the Earth is spinning, and chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for a minimum of, let’s say, ten minutes daily to start with, any of us can experience actual proof of its positive effects in our lives - even if it only makes us feel good on the inside, there will be a definite positive effect. That’s because we’re able to pierce through the thickest layers of our karma and activate our inherent Buddha Nature (our enlightened state). By so doing, we’re then able to bring forth the wisdom and good fortune that we need to challenge, overcome and change our adverse circumstances - turn them into positive ones - or manifest and gain even greater fulfilment in our daily lives from our accumulated good karma. This also allows us to bring forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that’s preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we indeed are - regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexuality. We’re also able to see and understand our circumstances and the environment far more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. As I’ve already mentioned, everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect - the ‘actual-proof-strength’ resulting from chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo always depends on our determination, sincerity and dedication.
For example, the levels of difference could be compared to making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, producing a great song, and so on. Something else that’s very important to always respect and acknowledge is that the Law (or if you prefer God) is in everyone and everything.
NB: There are frightening and disturbing sounds, and there are tranquil and relaxing sounds. It’s the emotional result of any noise or sound that can trigger off a mood or even instantly change one. When chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day, we are producing a sound vibration that’s the password to our true inner-self - this soon becomes apparent when you start reassessing your views on various things - such as your fears and desires etc. The best way to get the desired result when chanting is not to view things conventionally - rather than reaching out to an external source, we need to reach into our own lives and bring our needs and desires to fruition from within - including the good fortune and strength to achieve any help that we may need. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo also reaches out externally and draws us towards, or draws towards us, what we need to make us happy from our environment. For example, it helps us to be in the right place at the right time - to make better choices and decisions and so forth. We need to think of it as a seed within us that we’re watering and bringing sunshine to for it to grow, blossom and bring forth fruit or flowers. It’s also important to understand that everything we need in life, including the answer to every question and the potential to achieve every dream, already exists within us.
Theism is not religion ,theism is a religious idea, deism,atheism are also religious ideas, there ID no escaping "religion". We are all atheists in the sense that we do not believe in our neighbors' Gods but we are also all theists in the sense that we all have Gods that we are devoted to. The only question then is will our respective Gods prove worthy of the devotion we have invested in them.
You escape religion when you realise it's just spiritual cosplay, and that faith is the entry ticket. Humans are mythmakers we've been doing it for 10s of thousands of years and has been used for all that time as a manipulation tool not always nefariously, but once the curtain has been drawn it cannot be unseen. Believing is no longer seeing, we now require evidence . Faith isn't evidence it's a suspension of the requirement for evidence.
Finance six five trust fund blue eyes
✝️
Now Fitzgerald is making claims rejected by current scholarship even further. Confucianism and Taoism didn't come from Buddhism, and Buddhism and Hinduism didn't come from the same region, in fact (Bronkhorst 2007) Buddhism came from an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT region of the world from Hinduism.
So I liked this interview right up until he answered the which religion was the best (or whatever the question was). You can tell he hasn't really thought about the question. The problem a lot of atheists have is they think that because they are atheist it means they don't have a religion. That is just false. And it is dangerous.
Religion is something everyone has (just like everyone has a philosophy). It's a technology we need to harness because we cannot escape it.
What is a religion such that everyone has one? Belief/no belief about a god's existence is not a religion, just answer to the question "Do you believe a (at least one) god exists?" If yes, then theist of some flavor, else atheist of some flavor.
PRIDE is the new world religion. It's weird that people don't see it has every aspect of religion. theism is't necessary to religion. They have a post modern understanding of theism... which means it just comes from pop culture. Wicca was invented in sth 1950s by a guy that probably had the motivation of sex with lots of women.
Woke religion was invented by corporations over a period of the last few decades.
DO you have a system of right and wrong? Where do you get it? If it coms from your friends it came from pop culture still.
Woke is corporate ESG culture.. people that are on sth internet a lot.
Richard Dawkins call s himself a cultural christian.
the reason to be a cultural Christian is that Christianity can't have a theocracy.
ti si is why they invented classical liberalism.
Woke people don't really believe in classical liberalism.
Trudeau is a great example of this.
we've literally had two book burnings of classical literature, and harry potter books at government institutions.
one being a library.
this woke or pride or whatever you want to call this internationally created religion/system of acting, thinking, speaking and behaving.
the religion is controlled by pop culture and corporate/government involvement.
Atheists are brainwashed by pop culture, which is the scripture of the new religion.
look at disney.
they flew too close to the sun getting the esg score money and now people are sick of disney movies.
that's because they are all pushing he woke religion.
Shows aren't fun anymore... it's like they are woke-church shows.
watch a marvel movie or something on Netflix and you'll know what I mean.
a woke religious fanatic will support palestine.
Only religion can give you queers for palestine.
their woke religion transcends logic.
they have their own logic created by esg scoring systems.
Palestinian support was a glitch.
it's a glitch that might take down the whole religion of woke.
It seems impossible but its a really intolerant religion that is disguising itself as tolerance.
Regular people are starting to really hate the religion.
That thought process is laughable & lunacy at best. Religion isn't a state of being it is a state of belief in a higher source outside of your being or self. Which isn't a requirement to be Human beings. Such a newborn does not know any religion, are they born with a religious belief or it will be taught to them?
@@Voidsworn The issue you are running into is that you are conflating several distinct things together as if they are one thing. What is religion? Religion is a shared set of cultural narrative, values, world view, and practices. While some religions (Protestant Christianity for example) value belief, this is actually an exception and not the rule. And even their I would argue that protestants don't actually value belief, what they value is the "performance" of belief (fake it till you make it).
Some forms of theism (supernatural theism) constitute the basis of a world view. This is not true of all theism's (I am here thinking of natural theism). Atheism on the other hand cannot constitute a religion because no narrative, values, world view, or practice can be derived from an absence.
Understand I am flattening a lot of nuance here trying to convey the very basic points. I could have expanded on the role dogma (axioms) and doctrine (conclusions) play but that would expand this post. Both individuals and communities have dogmas and doctrines. Things become dangerous when people deny this as it means they are ignorant of both their assumptions and how they are drawing their conclusions.
@@shaynia-shai First I have no idea what "belief in a higher source outside of your being or self" even means. So the belief in an external reality? What exactly does "higher source" mean. Be aware that if you start throwing nonsense terms at me I will point out that they are nonsense. If you are going to use a term like supernatural be prepared to give me a definition I can actually work with.
Second. When did I say that belief in a "higher source" was part of the definition of religion. Why are you using the protestant definition of religion? You have just excluded from your definition swaths of religious communities which not only identify themselves as religious but are studied by scholars of religion.
Third religion has little if anything to do with "belief". Again that is a protestant view (which doesn't actually hold up even amongst themselves).
Counter example google secular synagogue. They are a non-theistic, non supernaturalist religious community. Therefore you are wrong.