Alex, my wife worked for Better Help, and they treat their therapists poorly, they grossly underpay them, and even demand that they perform unpaid duties. Avoid!
He has heard these concerns and he will be doing what he can I believe, why is this so triggering how bad are they as an org or just individual maybe removed staff?
I freakin love Dr. Sledge! Esoterica is one of my favorite RUclips channels. I appreciate that he doesn't insult his audience's intelligences by telling them what to believe, or what is true, or what is fanciful. He just gives you the information he's found and his interpretation of the meaning. Thanks for having him on.
My ancestors used to sing and praise Yahoo for all its gifts and miracles back in the 90s. They have stories of Yahoo cults coming together in spiritual congregations referred to as (CH' at - Rumes) where they'd discuss and exchange a wide array knowledge. They were even even fertility cults where worshippers would mate virtually and some even in real life.
Indeed. Let us also not forget that N'et Skep competed with the neighboring god Ahm'erika Ohnlein for the affections of the people. Aske 'Yeves, Yah-who, and Ehm-Es-Enne emerged sometime thereafter. Ultimately, all would bow to the one true god, G'oo-Ghelle.
This guy is saying nothing new. Christianity knows very well that their are other divine beings that the capital G God of the bible created. He created heaven and earth and gave those in the heavenly realm free will and man free will. Some divine beings turned against God and some men worshipped those same divine beings instead of Yahweh.
@@johnwheeler3071ya evil corrupt killer yaweh 😂 the tribal war god Really wanna worship him go for it I guess 🤷♂️ stay goofy the world needs some levity
Esoterica quickly became one of my favorite youtube channels when I found it. Really glad to see it get such a shoutout and a fascinating conversation to boot!
Dr. Justin Sledge is an juggernaut! May he get imported into cults of the 31st century as a divine internet storm God who defeated the chaos apologetic dragon bare-handed!
The context behind _why_ the Israelites were worshipping a calf and how monotheism was inserted into their faith was fascinating. Such an insightful chat, thank you!
They worshipped a calf because they were deep into polytheism and idolatry since that was what Egypt had deteriorated into. Moses peace be upon him was sent to them, to purify them from that, and they followed a narration from the Samari telling them the god of Moses was the cow, a lie basically. This is the same, claiming YHWH is an idol just because some pagans made an idol of God and lied about him, just like Christians made an idol about the son of Mary and claim lies about him. Idk this is kinda funny from a Muslim perspective, since some Christians accuse us of worshipping the "moon god" based on precisely the lies pagans attributed to God, not realizing the book came to uncover such lies, and that the pagans just made up stuff without proof after having monotheism, not the opposite. This is like Christians claiming the Trinity was from the beginning, then Unitarians seem like "making monotheism up" but the truth is that the Trinitarians lie, Monotheism was the origin, not the end, and Unitarianism is just a revival of the original faith. There is nothing wrong with investigating, and honesty is a must, but assumptions must be treated as what they are. Praise be to God, the actual unity which is logical unlike atheism or paganism. Peace
@@Gabriel-ServantOfGod what scholars have discovered about the two forms of Yahweh- worship and how the bull was incorporated into one and not the other can be fascinating! I recommend listening to the video :)
They might not mind when they find out that in Canaanite Patheon God had a wife. Which Mormons do believe in heavenly mother. Just skip over the coffee piece, lol 😅
I’m Mormon and I loved this. The origin of Judaism is as messy as the origin of Christianity. Also in my opinion and I’m not expert. Also we believe God the Father is separate from God the son like El was from Baal.
@@gustavomrolonhow can you continue to believe in mythology after learning that it is clearly just a collection of ever changing stories told by people who did not understand the universe half as well as modern school children?
I enjoy Justin Sledge's own podcast. However, he dives deep and does not always repeat the overview and context in each episode. It was great to hear him speak at a higher overview answering Alex's superficial questions at a lay-level of understanding like my own and thus receives great contextual answers.
Probably the most interesting episode I have seen yet. A huge thank you to both gentlemen for this fascinating interview. Please knock on doors such as this more Mr. O’Connor!
Being of Muslim background, this episode is mind-blowing to me, which makes me relate how all religions of the ME look much more similar to each other. In some aspects, they overlap and sometimes transition from one to another in non homogeneous but gradual. Over geography, tribes, languages, and time. It feels like a one peace of very long symphony of different episodes.
The difficulty in finding a common ground in religions is really paradoxical considering the interdependency they had on each other in their origins and early development.
@smillstill I am speculating that It could be related to psychology of derby, I mean the rivalry becomes more intense when the competition is closer to home. In English football league, the rivalry is more intense when the teams playing are from the same city.
@yf1177 Yes, and they lead to unfortunate consequences between groups following their great great great ...... grandfathers. I think secularism has an important role in world peace.
I find it interesting to think that the ancient priesthood were so worried about losing their relevance that they had to change the form of the deity to keep themselves in their positions.
I find it amusing and ironic that the survival of deities seems to depend on their ability to adapt in an almost darwinian way to the changing social, political, technical and psychological circumstances. It would be most enlightening to delve more deeply into this subject in a future episode. Very interesting guest, thanks!
A week or two ago Jordan Peterson had a discussion with Dawkins with O’Connor as the moderator. They’ve talked about this in depth. Or Jordan tried at least. Dawkins wasn’t (as usual) really acceptable
I've just recently found this channel. This was truly enlightening. Justin has a respectful yet hilarious way of teaching, " Hot boxing the holy of holies" and "The hippy dippy Jesus". Lol Great job guys, truly next level stuff!
Glad to see Dr. Justin Sledge here. Truly a fantastic scholar and one of my favorite creators in the whole of RUclips. His channel is a delight and I'm glad he got some exposition on a channel that's surely full of people who might appreciate his work. Thanks Alex!
@TheEsotericaChannel your deep understanding of and apparent unbiased historical knowledge of so many theological works is mind blowing. I’m now on my way to binge every video you’ve ever made lol. I’m basically a superfan after one video. Thanks for being so awesome 🤩
The Biblical history behind the scriptures is much more interesting than the shallow, modern interpretation that most people are accustomed to. Reading the biblical text from a modern perspective is just plain inaccurate. Thank you for bringing this information onto your platform. You’re doing great work here.👍
But why are his sources more accurate than the Bible? In fact these people are bias against the Bible so they will pretend as if they have a superior source to it when theyve got nothing as he had to admit multiple times.
Cultures evolve to adapt to the times in which they are existing in and must accommodate new information and technology to at least some extent. Regional and temporal interpretations will naturally happen and have happened throughout history. Nothing is ever static within human cultures. Religions, being human inventions, will naturally fracture and split into many different sects and forms of belief even in the same textual scripture. I hope to see the day when humanity comes to its senses and puts all religions where they belong, the category of legend and mythology.
@@natedizzy4939 I am a buddhist I can claim to be a moral person - or at least as moral as an average follower of Christ. So why does morality must be form your God and not mine ?
Alex and Dr. Sledge are huge and valuable to humanity. This type of work is so therapeutic and it really shows the truth of things. I’m taking all type of notes.
Ikr? I remembered seeing an Esoterica video on this topic, so I thought it was interesting that Alex was covering it. I didn’t expect to actually see Esoterica in the video.😂
@@seankelley3033 Really? I think atheists like myself and I would guess you... indeed, further, ex-Christians like myself and I would guess you, make up most of the listeners/viewers of Esoterica, MythVision, Gnostic Informant, Israel Finkelstein, Richard Carrier, Bart Ehrman, any number of people focused on the texts and archeology surrounding Israel, Canaan, and Christianity, and finally, Alex and other atheist RUclipsrs. I think most Christians listen to preachers and motivational or therapist type content - apologists if they really want to go deeper. It's mostly (not entirely) ex-religious people who want to get deep into this stuff.
This conversation connected so many dots and added context to my understanding of biblical authors that I didn’t realize I needed. Appreciate y’all so much.
Such as amazing and informative conversation! I've always been a fan of the sort of archaic and mainstream adjacent religions and mythos, Demonology, Panagism, so on and so forth, and this evidence based and impartial dive into the history of theology was such a treat. The conversation flowed well and goes to show just how great of an academician Dr Sledge is!
"You don't really want a bachelor god. So what do you do? You pair your god with the most popular, um i don't know, taylor swift of the day. That's Ashera" - Dr. Sledge. LMAO
That actually really annoyed me! Asherah was a co-creator deity with El, and was far more prominent in society (every home had a shrine to her). She was NOT a trophy wife! The sexism of that retort got my goat.
This is one of those video's for which one 'like' is not enough. Amazing interview. So much information presented so clearly. I think this demands a follow-up. Thank you to both of you.
What a tour de force narrative from Dr. Sledge. Talk about sitting back and weaving it all together; I couldn't even script what he just did. Each digression and topic was unpacked so pertinently (big props to Alex for marshalling the conversation with a deft touch), and all with effortless context. Deep wells of knowledge and understanding. I particularly enjoyed his read on the transitions through the Deuteronimic reforms and the Rabbinic theological innovations. The praise for Athanasius was intriguing, I might have to give it a try. Sounded very Manly Hall.
@@dbarker7794 Ha ha.. I see how diplomatic my comment is, but to explain how misguided these things are would require more than a quick comment and I would be no doubt wasting my time. Essentially the shift in cosmology from polar centric to heliocentric changes the lens in which religion and mythology is viewed.
Misguided in what way? This seems to be a fairly accurate conversation of history. Unless you are coming at this from a position that the Bible is actually the true word of God but that's in all likelihood not the case.
@@dbarker7794 late response, but I think he was saying that from the average religious or non religious person it is severely misunderstood, not referring to alex or justin and actually saying that it seems they have a good grasp on the topic and that comparing someone like justin and alex who research this topic heavily with it being their work to someone who doesn't do that as much, it is a ridiculous difference due to just how little of this is understood by all but the specialists.
Isn't it crazy that I've been researching this topic the last few days, even watching Esoterica and then you upload a video about it.. thanks. Keep going!
Great content. Great guest. Great interviewer. Alex, I really appreciated your questions and how you paused to let Justin flesh out his thoughts and answers. You didn’t interrupt even once. You have a smooth cadence and what I may have liked the most is at the end you said, “subscribe if you *want* to”. Excellent. Looking forward to hearing more of your content.
"hotboxing inside of the Holy of Holies", LOL ... aptly put 😵💫 I think it gives a whole new context to the phrasing, "seek Him in the *high* places" hahaha
Super interesting conversation so thank you Alex and Professor Sledge. You've mentioned his ideas a few times in interviews, Alex, so would you consider talking to Tom Holland? I think yous would have a great discussion on the role of Christianity in shaping modern Western morality.
I've heard bits and pieces about the development of Judaism and Christianity over the years but this was a great summary given more or less in chronological order giving the influences on these religions and the meanings of theological beliefs. One of the best discussions on the subjects I have watched. It would take years of study to know all this so it is great to learn it in a more concise way. Thanks to both of you.
and all utter garbage... people believe in these ..."gods"?? its two gods , its one god, its a storm god, its Baal, its married, its divorced, its a storm God that made the universe, its a bull.... its all bull. Lets steal a country
Absolutely riveting, one of the best interviews I’ve ever seen, answered so many long standing historical questions I’ve always had that are notoriously difficult to get an answer on when they have ties to any religion
"I think the average ancient Israelite was just like "I don't care what you call god, as long as it rains." I love the idea of the ancient "average Joe" caring more about his crop yields than which god his landlord worships.
It's crazy when you think that our modern conception of god is so loaded with meaning yet in ancient times god was the steward of ideal natural processes. It's like rain drops have been replaced by meaning, god is now a steward for the point of existence
@@Deepfake820 interesting because in alot of times in the bible when god gets angry, he expresses it with a storm. Before advanced science Christians correlated storms with gods mood. Even not that long ago like the middle ages. But now we know the science behind storms Christians kinda let go of that idea since its contradictory to their religion and just never talk about it.
Wow. What a great podcast. talk about having more clarity on all of this now. Dr Sledge is a great at illuminating the topic. Will be following him from now. Thanks Alex.
The idea that Islamic and Jewish mystic movements flourished after the Ottomans imported coffeehouse culture dovetails nicely with another theory that the European Enlightenment was partially a byproduct of coffeehouses being imported to France and England in the 17th century.
It's not a theory it's a fact, the impact from the moors who built 70 universities in Spain/Portugal. Greeks learned from the Egyptians who were already ancient people at that time, really think about that. Then Islamic golden era is what brought them out. We shared knowledge, it wasn't abolished like the catholic church.
I had a bit of an epiphany watching this. Alot of traditions seem objectively absurd to me, but if I consider them in historical and global context, they start to make sense. I can see how they connect people with many others living all across the world today, in the ancient world and into the future. I think this contextualisation is humbling and transcendental and that that experience can only be gained through participation, however counterintuitive. I think merely that has value in its own right, regardless of the actual practice or belief system involved.
This is absolutely fantastic! The additional nuance and subtle expoundations into the development of Yahweh really builds upon Dr. Sledge's first two Yahweh videos. Downright fascinating!
Thanks for sharing that. It’s so interesting to hear you’re angle in how your faith group would react to you if you explored the history and origins of the Hebrew god. I came originally from an evangelical tradition. I could get away with studying anything. However, if I were to bring these things up in a Bible study there would have been an uncomfortable silence. No one would have engaged me and the subject would get changed. I tried this a number of times in the year before I left the faith. What I find fascinating is that evangelicals would see JWs as a cult. Which I think it is. But in in reality, from my experience, a lot of religious groups behave in a cult like manner, especially Evangelicals! There’s an authoritarian literalist interpretation of specific scriptures, which is extremely selective to suit their preferred theology. It’s always the scriptures and translations and interpretations that justify their own particular world view, which is extremely conservative and judgmental of those outside the group or those within the group who transgress the laws. Evangelicalism makes a lot of grace when it comes to hooking individuals into the cult, because sin-guilt-forgiveness becomes an addictive shame cycle. But in terms of social ethics, evangelical churches operate a strict legalism that’s totally at odds with their theology. But they live with a whole raft of irreconcilable theological contradictions and fanatically persue a creed that’s both inauthentic to the scriptures they claim to venerate and toxic to the culture they live in.
@@Kryptic712 It's a terrible company that underpays its workers and has no interest in actually providing care. This has been documented extensively for years.
@@Kryptic712 The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a proposed action against the online therapy service BetterHelp, Inc. for mishandling consumers' private health information, particularly regarding mental health issues, and using it for advertisement purposes.
@@DylanGeick I went to a mental health facility in my town, official mental health office of the city. I'm having a real hard time maintaining life, tied to this is financial difficulties, and going to this facility cost 295 dollars a visit. I went weekly, my financial difficulties were made apparent in the sessions. I believe that mental health is a responsibility of the church, not a career practice. And this exact experience illustrates my point. I went, explained that I was struggling in life, it was very much effecting my ability to hold a job and therefore pay for things. I have a 1095 dollar bill to pay. Adding to my mental health which was largely coupled with anxiety. I think any career that leverages someones need or health to make an abnormal amount of money fits into your category of malpractice. 295 dollars a hour. But they are professionals and their time is extremely valuable so I guess you could just add it to the side effects: financial burden. Lol Anyway, I think Betterhelp is a legitimate platform for therapy. There is no difference, and it's cheaper. So team Betterhelp!!!! Lol
Thank you Alex and Justin, this talk was so enriching. I had previously read there was a major evolution during the exile but this put so much meat to it.
When you realise that we are constantly viewing this age of history through the wrong end of a telescope , then coming to hard and fast conclusions is inappropriate.
Jesus made the Bible to be clear on history. These fools mangled it with their hands despite God’s hatred for idols. Even China shows us that God didn’t want idols to represent him.
Omg this is great. I love Dr Sledge and I've watched and shared the video about this topic on his channel a dozen times or more. I look forward to hearing your questions and his explanations. Thanks for this interview boss. Have a nice day Captain. Peace ✌️🕊️
So much interesting perspective in such an understandable form. I Can listen to Dr. Sledge so much more easily on this potentially dry and difficult topic. Relaxing and refreshing contrast to so much modern life.
"The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook." (Psalm 77 : 18) Haeil Thor! Haeil Odin!
That's Thor not Odin. And I don't think Thors voice was in the thunder or his lightning lightened the world. Either way this is a small excerpt, everything else had nothing to do with Thor, or Odin.
What is missing here is acknowledgement of other monothesims in adjacent cultures, predating the Baylonian exile. E.g. the devolopment of Zorastrianism in Persia, and the brief monthestic perIod in Egypt under Akhenaten.
Watched both of these videos with this guest and out of order and for it didn't matter. Both are worth watching and are very good. Thanks guys for both.
@@nmvhr incorrect zoroastrian was invented during the Persian Empire. The Babylonian empire fell for pagan worship by the Persian Empire. There Persian empire free the Jews from captivity, in doing so Daniel become the 2nd most powerful man in all the Persian empire and was the Leader of the wise men, magicians, fortune tellers, seers and wizards. Daniel was not a pagan but worshiped the GOD of the BIBLE and foretold prophecy of the coming world. Certain wise men under Daniel rule did not like daniel and tried to have him killed but ended up dying themselves from a brutal death from the King of Persia. (Daniel and the lions den) Then about a 100 years later give or take Zoroastrians was created by false teacher in Persia to mislead people from the GOD of the Bible, why? Because the Persian King accepted the GOD of the Bible (GOD of the Hebrew-Judeo Christians)
that was FASCINATING. you answered so many questions i have aaalways had about the bible and judiasm and the old testament and gnosticism - thank you so much.
This is a fascinating video and a great addition to your first one Dr. Sledge. Thank you both! P.s. would it be possible to add Dr. Sledge name to the title?
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for having me on Alex - it was an honor and a wonderful conversation!
Thanks for being so knowledgeable. :)
Hello
Thank you, Justin. Great discussion.
Thanks for being on! You're hugely knowledgeable and you did great! I hope to reach your level one day! Thanks mate!
This was so interesting! Thanks!
Alex, my wife worked for Better Help, and they treat their therapists poorly, they grossly underpay them, and even demand that they perform unpaid duties. Avoid!
They also sell your confidential data
@@StarlightEdith Yay!
He has heard these concerns and he will be doing what he can I believe, why is this so triggering how bad are they as an org or just individual maybe removed staff?
@@HisZotness nice moustache
@@DemainIronfalcon Their business practices can most charitably be described as unscrupulous.
"Hotboxing inside the Holy of Holies" is the best phrase I'll hear this week.
Evokes the image of am Ancient Matisyahu concert
makes sense now that you think about it lol
My favorite way to spend an afternoon
Makes you wonder if that’s the burning bush Exodus is referring to, that being high was a way to “experience” the presence of god(s).
@@kellydalstok8900 I've burnt a few bushes in my day, I can tell you...
I freakin love Dr. Sledge! Esoterica is one of my favorite RUclips channels. I appreciate that he doesn't insult his audience's intelligences by telling them what to believe, or what is true, or what is fanciful. He just gives you the information he's found and his interpretation of the meaning. Thanks for having him on.
Why does he have a religious beard? Very sus
@@ClaimClamand I think he was wearing a kippah. What’s wrong with that?
Is his God Yahweh? I'm confused on his actual beliefs.
The idea that the name of God could be "yahoo" is funny af
Yoohoowoohoo
It could also be "Mr Puckles"
The best pronouncing I habe seen is yahava.
That's exactly the story behind how Yahoo (the email service) was named.
@@seanbeadles7421 cartoon history of the universe??
As a half Egyptian, I can confirm that Yawho was the first stone and chisel search engine.
😂
My ancestors used to sing and praise Yahoo for all its gifts and miracles back in the 90s. They have stories of Yahoo cults coming together in spiritual congregations referred to as (CH' at - Rumes) where they'd discuss and exchange a wide array knowledge. They were even even fertility cults where worshippers would mate virtually and some even in real life.
Untrue. As an Egyptian, you should know that N'et Skep would have been the first. It's what Amenhotep used.
I'm not sure how it's pronounced, but I think the first was Aol.
Indeed. Let us also not forget that N'et Skep competed with the neighboring god Ahm'erika Ohnlein for the affections of the people. Aske 'Yeves, Yah-who, and Ehm-Es-Enne emerged sometime thereafter. Ultimately, all would bow to the one true god, G'oo-Ghelle.
LOVE this:
"...This-here town Ain't Big Enough for TWO Warrior Storm gods..."
They would definitely clash 🤭
"my god can beat up your god!"
This guy is saying nothing new. Christianity knows very well that their are other divine beings that the capital G God of the bible created. He created heaven and earth and gave those in the heavenly realm free will and man free will. Some divine beings turned against God and some men worshipped those same divine beings instead of Yahweh.
@@johnwheeler3071ya evil corrupt killer yaweh 😂 the tribal war god
Really wanna worship him go for it I guess 🤷♂️ stay goofy the world needs some levity
@@johnwheeler3071 Wrong. The fact he is nothing more than a locally derived fable is proof he does not exist.
Esoterica quickly became one of my favorite youtube channels when I found it. Really glad to see it get such a shoutout and a fascinating conversation to boot!
Dr. Justin Sledge is an juggernaut! May he get imported into cults of the 31st century as a divine internet storm God who defeated the chaos apologetic dragon bare-handed!
lol
Just need to get Megan, Josh, and Bart to comment and all of my RUclips teachers will be represented on this page.
What a cringe comment, makes me wanna kms
@@Herodotus77 Yo, who are these folks?
@@bankieyI'm pretty sure they're referring to Bart Ehrman, Joshua Bowen and Megan Lewis (Digital Hammurabi)
The context behind _why_ the Israelites were worshipping a calf and how monotheism was inserted into their faith was fascinating. Such an insightful chat, thank you!
Not many people know that it happened twice. And that the second time they really doubled down.
They worshipped a calf because they were deep into polytheism and idolatry since that was what Egypt had deteriorated into.
Moses peace be upon him was sent to them, to purify them from that, and they followed a narration from the Samari telling them the god of Moses was the cow, a lie basically.
This is the same, claiming YHWH is an idol just because some pagans made an idol of God and lied about him, just like Christians made an idol about the son of Mary and claim lies about him.
Idk this is kinda funny from a Muslim perspective, since some Christians accuse us of worshipping the "moon god" based on precisely the lies pagans attributed to God, not realizing the book came to uncover such lies, and that the pagans just made up stuff without proof after having monotheism, not the opposite.
This is like Christians claiming the Trinity was from the beginning, then Unitarians seem like "making monotheism up" but the truth is that the Trinitarians lie, Monotheism was the origin, not the end, and Unitarianism is just a revival of the original faith.
There is nothing wrong with investigating, and honesty is a must, but assumptions must be treated as what they are.
Praise be to God, the actual unity which is logical unlike atheism or paganism.
Peace
@@Gabriel-ServantOfGod what scholars have discovered about the two forms of Yahweh- worship and how the bull was incorporated into one and not the other can be fascinating! I recommend listening to the video :)
@owncraticpath you clearly don't belong here with your dogma
@@exaucemayunga22 Peace
Disclaimer - Don’t send this to your Mormon parents, they won’t like it.
They might not mind when they find out that in Canaanite Patheon God had a wife. Which Mormons do believe in heavenly mother. Just skip over the coffee piece, lol 😅
I’m Mormon and I loved this. The origin of Judaism is as messy as the origin of Christianity. Also in my opinion and I’m not expert. Also we believe God the Father is separate from God the son like El was from Baal.
Same with your Jehovahs Witness parents
@@gustavomrolonhow can you continue to believe in mythology after learning that it is clearly just a collection of ever changing stories told by people who did not understand the universe half as well as modern school children?
@@shinobi-no-bueno spoken like a true positivist (w/ requisite faux incredulity)
I enjoy Justin Sledge's own podcast. However, he dives deep and does not always repeat the overview and context in each episode. It was great to hear him speak at a higher overview answering Alex's superficial questions at a lay-level of understanding like my own and thus receives great contextual answers.
Good comment
Probably the most interesting episode I have seen yet. A huge thank you to both gentlemen for this fascinating interview. Please knock on doors such as this more Mr. O’Connor!
Being of Muslim background, this episode is mind-blowing to me, which makes me relate how all religions of the ME look much more similar to each other. In some aspects, they overlap and sometimes transition from one to another in non homogeneous but gradual. Over geography, tribes, languages, and time. It feels like a one peace of very long symphony of different episodes.
Welcome to the awaken world bother.
The difficulty in finding a common ground in religions is really paradoxical considering the interdependency they had on each other in their origins and early development.
@smillstill I am speculating that It could be related to psychology of derby, I mean the rivalry becomes more intense when the competition is closer to home. In English football league, the rivalry is more intense when the teams playing are from the same city.
Because all mortal humans yearn for some kind of transcendence and salvation, even if these are illusions and delusions.
@yf1177 Yes, and they lead to unfortunate consequences between groups following their great great great ...... grandfathers. I think secularism has an important role in world peace.
Absolutely FASCINATING conversation! I learned so much and it gives the context to the early bible so well.
Just Alex BTW is bound to beautifully bring out a eureka momentous response in zoroastrian ✡️ monks
I find it interesting to think that the ancient priesthood were so worried about losing their relevance that they had to change the form of the deity to keep themselves in their positions.
I find it amusing and ironic that the survival of deities seems to depend on their ability to adapt in an almost darwinian way to the changing social, political, technical and psychological circumstances.
It would be most enlightening to delve more deeply into this subject in a future episode.
Very interesting guest, thanks!
These deities truly are the most successful meme
You might find Neil Gaiman's "American Gods" amusing. Read the book, TV show is meh.
Brilliant 😊😊😊
A week or two ago Jordan Peterson had a discussion with Dawkins with O’Connor as the moderator. They’ve talked about this in depth. Or Jordan tried at least. Dawkins wasn’t (as usual) really acceptable
@@robmarley89Probably because Dawkins hate brain washed hacks.
I've just recently found this channel. This was truly enlightening. Justin has a respectful yet hilarious way of teaching, " Hot boxing the holy of holies" and "The hippy dippy Jesus". Lol Great job guys, truly next level stuff!
Glad to see Dr. Justin Sledge here. Truly a fantastic scholar and one of my favorite creators in the whole of RUclips. His channel is a delight and I'm glad he got some exposition on a channel that's surely full of people who might appreciate his work. Thanks Alex!
@TheEsotericaChannel your deep understanding of and apparent unbiased historical knowledge of so many theological works is mind blowing. I’m now on my way to binge every video you’ve ever made lol. I’m basically a superfan after one video. Thanks for being so awesome 🤩
His videos are deep, as suggested by his channel name lol. For anyone reading, you'll be glad to know his humor is persistent throughout his videos.
No. He’s a fool that is outwitted by a dead Solomon.
"Compounds that alter consciousness are 'baked' into most religions." Good one , Justin!🤣
The Biblical history behind the scriptures is much more interesting than the shallow, modern interpretation that most people are accustomed to. Reading the biblical text from a modern perspective is just plain inaccurate.
Thank you for bringing this information onto your platform. You’re doing great work here.👍
But why are his sources more accurate than the Bible? In fact these people are bias against the Bible so they will pretend as if they have a superior source to it when theyve got nothing as he had to admit multiple times.
great comment ❤
Cultures evolve to adapt to the times in which they are existing in and must accommodate new information and technology to at least some extent. Regional and temporal interpretations will naturally happen and have happened throughout history. Nothing is ever static within human cultures. Religions, being human inventions, will naturally fracture and split into many different sects and forms of belief even in the same textual scripture. I hope to see the day when humanity comes to its senses and puts all religions where they belong, the category of legend and mythology.
@rhondah1587 yeah let's throw out the reason we decide to be moral and care about objective reality and things will be better
@@natedizzy4939 I am a buddhist I can claim to be a moral person - or at least as moral as an average follower of Christ. So why does morality must be form your God and not mine ?
Alex and Dr. Sledge are huge and valuable to humanity. This type of work is so therapeutic and it really shows the truth of things. I’m taking all type of notes.
Thanks, guys. This has tied together an enormous amount of stuff beautifully. It's the best youtube thing I've seen for at least a year.
Esoterica + Alex is a combination I did not expect
Ikr? I remembered seeing an Esoterica video on this topic, so I thought it was interesting that Alex was covering it. I didn’t expect to actually see Esoterica in the video.😂
I feel like the one weird guy who's somehow managed to be a fan of both
A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.
@@seankelley3033 Really? I think atheists like myself and I would guess you... indeed, further, ex-Christians like myself and I would guess you, make up most of the listeners/viewers of Esoterica, MythVision, Gnostic Informant, Israel Finkelstein, Richard Carrier, Bart Ehrman, any number of people focused on the texts and archeology surrounding Israel, Canaan, and Christianity, and finally, Alex and other atheist RUclipsrs. I think most Christians listen to preachers and motivational or therapist type content - apologists if they really want to go deeper. It's mostly (not entirely) ex-religious people who want to get deep into this stuff.
@@seankelley3033 I love both. ESOTERICA is a fantastic channel. So is Let's Talk Religion
This conversation connected so many dots and added context to my understanding of biblical authors that I didn’t realize I needed. Appreciate y’all so much.
Such as amazing and informative conversation! I've always been a fan of the sort of archaic and mainstream adjacent religions and mythos, Demonology, Panagism, so on and so forth, and this evidence based and impartial dive into the history of theology was such a treat. The conversation flowed well and goes to show just how great of an academician Dr Sledge is!
"You don't really want a bachelor god. So what do you do? You pair your god with the most popular, um i don't know, taylor swift of the day. That's Ashera" - Dr. Sledge. LMAO
That actually really annoyed me! Asherah was a co-creator deity with El, and was far more prominent in society (every home had a shrine to her). She was NOT a trophy wife! The sexism of that retort got my goat.
@@Crazybaby2409you get the point he is making. Chill with the offense.
@@Crazybaby2409 Taylor Swift is more popular than her current boyfriend as well.
Dr. Sledge gets deep into the complexity and details on his channel. Having this overview was fantastic...kind of primer for Esoterica.
No if Alex can bring him back to give an overview of the history of magic.
The more I listen to him, Sledge has got to be a voracious reader with nearly total recall.
Man, i love Dr. Sledge!! @theEsotericaChannel is the BEST!
This is one of those video's for which one 'like' is not enough. Amazing interview. So much information presented so clearly. I think this demands a follow-up. Thank you to both of you.
What a tour de force narrative from Dr. Sledge. Talk about sitting back and weaving it all together; I couldn't even script what he just did. Each digression and topic was unpacked so pertinently (big props to Alex for marshalling the conversation with a deft touch), and all with effortless context. Deep wells of knowledge and understanding. I particularly enjoyed his read on the transitions through the Deuteronimic reforms and the Rabbinic theological innovations.
The praise for Athanasius was intriguing, I might have to give it a try. Sounded very Manly Hall.
I'm not religious, but this video shows how misunderstood this topic is, from both the religious and non-religious alike.
Well, thanks for explaining that! Great job with citing one or two problems with the discussion. Your detailed comment has really convinced me! 😮
@@dbarker7794 Ha ha.. I see how diplomatic my comment is, but to explain how misguided these things are would require more than a quick comment and I would be no doubt wasting my time. Essentially the shift in cosmology from polar centric to heliocentric changes the lens in which religion and mythology is viewed.
Misguided in what way? This seems to be a fairly accurate conversation of history. Unless you are coming at this from a position that the Bible is actually the true word of God but that's in all likelihood not the case.
@@sweetener12 Humour us
@@dbarker7794 late response, but I think he was saying that from the average religious or non religious person it is severely misunderstood, not referring to alex or justin and actually saying that it seems they have a good grasp on the topic and that comparing someone like justin and alex who research this topic heavily with it being their work to someone who doesn't do that as much, it is a ridiculous difference due to just how little of this is understood by all but the specialists.
Isn't it crazy that I've been researching this topic the last few days, even watching Esoterica and then you upload a video about it.. thanks. Keep going!
Careful following "Synchronicities", the final stop is being chosen.
@@thepooaprinciple5144 explain further...
Seems Zoroastrianism is one of the earliest version of monotheism
same
The lord works in mysterious ways 🙌🏻
Great content. Great guest. Great interviewer. Alex, I really appreciated your questions and how you paused to let Justin flesh out his thoughts and answers. You didn’t interrupt even once. You have a smooth cadence and what I may have liked the most is at the end you said, “subscribe if you *want* to”. Excellent. Looking forward to hearing more of your content.
"hotboxing inside of the Holy of Holies", LOL ... aptly put 😵💫
I think it gives a whole new context to the phrasing, "seek Him in the *high* places" hahaha
Puts a whole knew spin on that talking burning bush, doesn't it? 😂
Super interesting conversation so thank you Alex and Professor Sledge. You've mentioned his ideas a few times in interviews, Alex, so would you consider talking to Tom Holland? I think yous would have a great discussion on the role of Christianity in shaping modern Western morality.
I've heard bits and pieces about the development of Judaism and Christianity over the years but this was a great summary given more or less in chronological order giving the influences on these religions and the meanings of theological beliefs. One of the best discussions on the subjects I have watched. It would take years of study to know all this so it is great to learn it in a more concise way. Thanks to both of you.
and all utter garbage... people believe in these ..."gods"?? its two gods , its one god, its a storm god, its Baal, its married, its divorced, its a storm God that made the universe, its a bull.... its all bull. Lets steal a country
This was really cool! Thanks for posting this awesome conversation.
No way! Two of my favourite RUclips guys, together? Amazing work guys. Content, style and delivery par excellence. Thanks, both.
Absolutely riveting, one of the best interviews I’ve ever seen, answered so many long standing historical questions I’ve always had that are notoriously difficult to get an answer on when they have ties to any religion
2 of my favorite RUclipsrs together. I'm sooooo happy. Very informative.
Glad to see my absolute favorite scholar as a guest here. Dr sledge occupies most of my screen time on this platform.
Never seen Alex so happy. He was in his element. Good for him.
Wow, what a fantastic conversation! I want to hear more of Dr. Sledge. Please have him back.
He has his own channel called Esoterica
"I think the average ancient Israelite was just like "I don't care what you call god, as long as it rains."
I love the idea of the ancient "average Joe" caring more about his crop yields than which god his landlord worships.
They cared about which God was worshipped but not what it's name was. In this case they wanted a storm God to water their crops
Average Yosef*
It's crazy when you think that our modern conception of god is so loaded with meaning yet in ancient times god was the steward of ideal natural processes. It's like rain drops have been replaced by meaning, god is now a steward for the point of existence
@@Neptunion118 God isn't the steward of the process God is the process. Personifications are methods of mapping reality communicating it.
@@Deepfake820 interesting because in alot of times in the bible when god gets angry, he expresses it with a storm. Before advanced science Christians correlated storms with gods mood. Even not that long ago like the middle ages. But now we know the science behind storms Christians kinda let go of that idea since its contradictory to their religion and just never talk about it.
Wow. What a great podcast. talk about having more clarity on all of this now. Dr Sledge is a great at illuminating the topic. Will be following him from now. Thanks Alex.
Holy shit I didn’t know y’all were doing an episode together! This is awesome.
This is an excellent interview! Well done Alex, and as always, I appreciate Justin's approachable teaching style
He's so good! His channel Esoterica is an absolute must, if this kind of thing interests you at all.
The idea that Islamic and Jewish mystic movements flourished after the Ottomans imported coffeehouse culture dovetails nicely with another theory that the European Enlightenment was partially a byproduct of coffeehouses being imported to France and England in the 17th century.
It's not a theory it's a fact, the impact from the moors who built 70 universities in Spain/Portugal. Greeks learned from the Egyptians who were already ancient people at that time, really think about that. Then Islamic golden era is what brought them out. We shared knowledge, it wasn't abolished like the catholic church.
Couple of my favorite creators, love it
Hi stoneworks
@@gorilmod9667 Hello Gorilmod
Esoterica’s really good at explaining these things in ways someone uninitiated like me can understand them
A wonderful dialog. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, intelligence, humor and wisdom.
Listening to such a great content is making us richer.
The most interesting and invigorating interview I have seen in a while. Thank you both.
This is utterly fascinating. Thank you both for this interview!!
Insightful and informative! Justin Sledge has an amazing wealth of knowledge to offer. Thank you for posting this!
This is the best video I've ever seen on this topic. Alex and Justin make it all so clear and easy to understand. Thank you both!
I had a bit of an epiphany watching this. Alot of traditions seem objectively absurd to me, but if I consider them in historical and global context, they start to make sense. I can see how they connect people with many others living all across the world today, in the ancient world and into the future. I think this contextualisation is humbling and transcendental and that that experience can only be gained through participation, however counterintuitive. I think merely that has value in its own right, regardless of the actual practice or belief system involved.
This is absolutely fantastic! The additional nuance and subtle expoundations into the development of Yahweh really builds upon Dr. Sledge's first two Yahweh videos. Downright fascinating!
Love seeing Esoterica here, big fan of both of you.
This might be the best conversation on RUclips. Thanks for doing this!
As an Eastern Orthodox Christian, I found this video extremely interesting. Thank you both!
This dude is one of my top 5 dinner guests..
As a former Jehovah’s Witness , I know that if I was a current practicing witness watching this video would probably get me shunned
So glad to be out of that repressive cult. Crazy how they keep people in a cage intellectually.
It definitely would have gotten you shunned
Congrats on escaping the cult! I got out of the catholic one myself back in 2018 😁
Thanks for sharing that. It’s so interesting to hear you’re angle in how your faith group would react to you if you explored the history and origins of the Hebrew god.
I came originally from an evangelical tradition. I could get away with studying anything. However, if I were to bring these things up in a Bible study there would have been an uncomfortable silence. No one would have engaged me and the subject would get changed. I tried this a number of times in the year before I left the faith.
What I find fascinating is that evangelicals would see JWs as a cult. Which I think it is. But in in reality, from my experience, a lot of religious groups behave in a cult like manner, especially Evangelicals! There’s an authoritarian literalist interpretation of specific scriptures, which is extremely selective to suit their preferred theology. It’s always the scriptures and translations and interpretations that justify their own particular world view, which is extremely conservative and judgmental of those outside the group or those within the group who transgress the laws. Evangelicalism makes a lot of grace when it comes to hooking individuals into the cult, because sin-guilt-forgiveness becomes an addictive shame cycle. But in terms of social ethics, evangelical churches operate a strict legalism that’s totally at odds with their theology. But they live with a whole raft of irreconcilable theological contradictions and fanatically persue a creed that’s both inauthentic to the scriptures they claim to venerate and toxic to the culture they live in.
It amazes me how people will try to defend a group that promotes shunning of members who seek knowledge. And claim that it isn't a cult.
stop promoting betterhelp.
why
@@Kryptic712 It's a terrible company that underpays its workers and has no interest in actually providing care. This has been documented extensively for years.
@@Kryptic712 The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a proposed action against the online therapy service BetterHelp, Inc. for mishandling consumers' private health information, particularly regarding mental health issues, and using it for advertisement purposes.
@@Kryptic712they’ve been accused of some malpractice in making mental health work into a gig economy kinda like Uber
@@DylanGeick I went to a mental health facility in my town, official mental health office of the city. I'm having a real hard time maintaining life, tied to this is financial difficulties, and going to this facility cost 295 dollars a visit. I went weekly, my financial difficulties were made apparent in the sessions. I believe that mental health is a responsibility of the church, not a career practice.
And this exact experience illustrates my point. I went, explained that I was struggling in life, it was very much effecting my ability to hold a job and therefore pay for things. I have a 1095 dollar bill to pay. Adding to my mental health which was largely coupled with anxiety. I think any career that leverages someones need or health to make an abnormal amount of money fits into your category of malpractice. 295 dollars a hour. But they are professionals and their time is extremely valuable so I guess you could just add it to the side effects: financial burden. Lol
Anyway, I think Betterhelp is a legitimate platform for therapy. There is no difference, and it's cheaper. So team Betterhelp!!!! Lol
Phenomenonal interview. Picked up a lot of insights and information I hadn't heard before. Thanks, Alex and Justin!
Thank you Alex and Justin, this talk was so enriching. I had previously read there was a major evolution during the exile but this put so much meat to it.
When you realise that we are constantly viewing this age of history through the wrong end of a telescope , then coming to hard and fast conclusions is inappropriate.
Jesus made the Bible to be clear on history. These fools mangled it with their hands despite God’s hatred for idols. Even China shows us that God didn’t want idols to represent him.
Informative is an understatement, fantastic discussion
Omg this is great. I love Dr Sledge and I've watched and shared the video about this topic on his channel a dozen times or more.
I look forward to hearing your questions and his explanations. Thanks for this interview boss.
Have a nice day Captain.
Peace ✌️🕊️
Gonna have to watch more Dr. Sledge after this. Great episode.
So much interesting perspective in such an understandable form. I Can listen to Dr. Sledge so much more easily on this potentially dry and difficult topic.
Relaxing and refreshing contrast to so much modern life.
Best conversation on Abrahamic religion I think I've ever listened to
Can’t even begin to describe how good this episode was.
Absolute brilliant podcast 🙏.
You bring the best out of Dr Sledge.
This was the best interview so far. Huge fan of Esoterica. Please have him in again.
Love Dr. Sledge and am really happy to see him platformed on your show!
"The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook." (Psalm 77 : 18) Haeil Thor! Haeil Odin!
The missionaries used that kind of thinking to try and convert the Norse people.
Yeah a war got with a different mask, Zeus etc. all the same pieces of shit
@@Gman12959 I think you meant god
@@Gman12959you people eat anything up and just run with it
That's Thor not Odin. And I don't think Thors voice was in the thunder or his lightning lightened the world. Either way this is a small excerpt, everything else had nothing to do with Thor, or Odin.
EXTREMELY informative. Thanks for this. Hope to hear more of these types of discussions on this channel.
Also intrigued by the Florence flask and Absinthe fountain in the background. WHAT kind of alchemy is going on there?
I just loved that interview. Great guest!
heyooo big 1 hour 45 minute pod drop, thank you alex, you rock
in other words, Yahooooo!
Only an hour and 45 minutes 🥲
Not a 5 hour conversation?! Very big mistake Alex! Unsubscribed! (Kidding)
Could've been 3 hours and I'd have been over the moon
What is missing here is acknowledgement of other monothesims in adjacent cultures, predating the Baylonian exile. E.g. the devolopment of Zorastrianism in Persia, and the brief monthestic perIod in Egypt under Akhenaten.
Watched both of these videos with this guest and out of order and for it didn't matter. Both are worth watching and are very good. Thanks guys for both.
Yaaah! weh have been waiting for an episode like this for some time. Excellent episode, straight fire!
We have the same profile picture...
I would have loved to heard more on the influence of Zoroastrianism on Judaism during the Babylonian period
Yes, I think it's influence is most likely vastly underrated. Ahura Mazda=God (monotheism), Ahuriman=Devil, + angels, end of world etc
I Think Muslim identity why erased the face not recognize the muslim statue
Yes babylon
the other way around LOL
@@warrior4christ578 Zarathushtra and his message are ~4 thousand years old now 😂
@@nmvhr incorrect zoroastrian was invented during the Persian Empire. The Babylonian empire fell for pagan worship by the Persian Empire. There Persian empire free the Jews from captivity, in doing so Daniel become the 2nd most powerful man in all the Persian empire and was the Leader of the wise men, magicians, fortune tellers, seers and wizards. Daniel was not a pagan but worshiped the GOD of the BIBLE and foretold prophecy of the coming world. Certain wise men under Daniel rule did not like daniel and tried to have him killed but ended up dying themselves from a brutal death from the King of Persia. (Daniel and the lions den)
Then about a 100 years later give or take Zoroastrians was created by false teacher in Persia to mislead people from the GOD of the Bible, why? Because the Persian King accepted the GOD of the Bible (GOD of the Hebrew-Judeo Christians)
1:19:19 seems blatantly wrong. The beginning of Mark quotes an OT text that says Yahweh. Ie that John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus (Yahweh).
that was FASCINATING. you answered so many questions i have aaalways had about the bible and judiasm and the old testament and gnosticism - thank you so much.
Actually Yehwah in Hindu Texts refers to Fire God - Agni Dev. He is accepts sacrifice and one of the five main element in nature.
Amazing. Loved it. Definitely keen to see more of this type of content. Fascinating 🙏🏼
Amazing. My favorite interview you've done so far
Thanks!
Man, this is good! Thank you both.
This interview was fascinating beyond belief. 👏
When ever I want my faith deepened and strengthened I now can also turn to this channel❤
And it strengthens my atheism too ❤️
and it strengthens my polytheism too!
It strengthens my faith, too. HAIL SATAN! ❤
It made me reject Christianity 😂 your God's are idols
@@krembryle
What exactly is a Atheist and Atheism
Loved the in depth history in this session, so informative about the actual development from polytheism to monotheism.
Absolute banger episode !
This is a fascinating video and a great addition to your first one Dr. Sledge. Thank you both!
P.s. would it be possible to add Dr. Sledge name to the title?
Justin Sledge has one of the best youtube channels. Awesome sauce
I enjoy listening to the insight and knowledge of Dr. Sledge on all subjects. Great interview!
What an unexpected but welcome crossover episode. Love this dude's dad jokes on his channel.