Monday, November 09, 2009
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Buddhism in prison - a good idea?
Buddhism in prison - a good idea?
Ultimately, there is a reason we rarely hear about Buddhist terrorists, murderers, rapists, thieves and so on. In consideration of this fact, it might be wise to increase the availability of Buddhistic thought within prisons, the realm of the most difficult and hardened individuals on the planet. Increasing difficulties and hardening via fanaticism that teaches supremacy of the faithful and hatred for unbelievers—to be manifested in a myriad of aggressive, hostile and violent ways—is certainly not the answer. Nor is proselytizing the projection of one's life and responsibility on a giant man in the sky an appropriate solution. Teaching how to create a peaceful mind, body and soul represents the most productive path for all human beings, whether incarcerated or not. For, in the end, if we do not develop our own innate morality and integrity, we remain in a prison of our own making.
Friday, November 06, 2009
'Christ in Egypt' Reviews & Book Search!
If you haven't had a chance to check out my book Christ in Egypt, now's the time! I've added a couple of great reviews, as well as the ability to search the book - a fantastic feature.http://stellarhousepublishing.com/christinegypt.html
Following are excerpts of reviews you'll want to read!
"...We are in agreement on the thoroughly syncretic character of primitive Christianity, evolving from earlier mythemes and rituals, especially those of Egypt. It is almost as important in Christ in Egypt to argue for an astro-religious origin for the mythemes, and there, too, I agree with the learned author....
"...I find it undeniable that...many, many of the epic heroes and ancient patriarchs and matriarchs of the Old Testament were personified stars, planets, and constellations..."
"I find myself in full agreement with Acharya S/D.M. Murdock: 'we assert that Christianity constitutes Gnosticism historicized and Judaized, likewise representing a synthesis of Egyptian, Jewish and Greek religion and mythology, among others [including Buddhism, via King Asoka's missionaries] from around the "known world"' (p. 278). 'Christianity is largely the product of Egyptian religion being Judaized and historicized' (p. 482)."
Dr. Robert M. Price,
Author, "The Pre-Nicene New Testament"
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"What a magnificent work!"
"This is the book that should convince any rational reader that the Jesus story is the Horus story is the story of the heavens and of the seasons; the story containing motifs outlining humankind's year by year struggle to survive and progress; the story of birth, life, death, and resurrection....
"We must take control of our futures by taking control our past by remembering what truly was. Acharya is helping us to remember what was and why."
Allan J., UK
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If you enjoy the history of religion, you will absolutely want to have this book! And, of course, it will make a great Christmas gift for anyone who loves comparative religion and mythology.
http://stellarhousepublishing.com/christinegypt.html
Enjoy!
Acharya S/D.M. Murdock
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
'You are headed for a Devil's hell'
I have little doubt that this well wisher hasn't read a word of my writing. He obviously has no clue about history if he thinks "there is [sic] no remaining 'pagan' writings to support your own writings." I have never said such a thing, and I have demonstrated in Christ in Egypt in particular that there are THOUSANDS of pages of "remaining 'pagan' writings" to support my contentions.
Talk about lies.
Nice hate speech from a loving Christian.
--- On Wed, 11/4/09, J. T. Tomlinson
> From: J. T. Tomlinson
> Subject: You are headed to a Devil's Hell
> To: acharya_s@yahoo.com
> Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 5:59 PM
> You
> are a foolish woman that is on her way to a Devil's
> Hell. You speak in lies and have no idea of the truth of
> Jesus Christ. You should do real research and find out who
> Jesus really is, not this falsified research you claim to
> have done and print said lies in books. How can you have
> researched these things when you yourself say there is no
> remaining 'pagan' writings to support your own
> writings. You really need to get with the truth and stop
> printing these lies you write.
>
>
Monday, November 02, 2009
Dr. Wafa Sultan speaks out for human rights
Dr. Sultan kindly agreed to let me interview her for my Freethought Examiner column -
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-17009-Freethought-Examiner~y2009m11d2-Wafa-Sultans-message-to-America
Particularly important are the wise words of advice she has for Americans to protect themselves against what she calls "the evils of Islam."
PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS WISE WOMAN'S MESSAGE TO AMERICA TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW.
Post it on message boards, social networking like Facebook, MySpace and other Web 2.0 such as Twitter, Digg, Reddit, Stumbleupon and so on.
Let's get the word out - Dr. Sultan deserves our attention and respect. She lives under constant death threats, as she states in this exclusive interview.
She also states:
"Under Islamic sharia, a woman is not considered a free being. She is mentally unfit to decide her own life."
If you are a woman or if you love any women, you need to pay attention to Dr. Sultan, as your very freedoms depend upon it.
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-17009-Freethought-Examiner~y2009m11d2-Wafa-Sultans-message-to-America
If you've never shared any of my messages before, please do so with this one - Dr. Sultan's message is vitally important to the entire future of Western civilization.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Acharya S/D.M. Murdock
Saturday, October 31, 2009
"The Gospel According to Acharya S" This Week on Aeon Byte!
Hi there -Look at what Miguel has to say about our latest foray together, during which I interviewed HIM about my book "The Gospel According to Acharya S!"
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Topics Discussed:
--Why religion is actually a positive force.
--What scholarly u-turns she has taken recently and new wrinkles on her ongoing research.
--How Acharya actually turned the tables and interviewed the host of the show!
And much more!!!
Just go to http://www.thegodabovegod.com/. The program is broadcast all weekend long. Listen to it at your convenience.
All of Acharya's interviews can be found at
http://www.thegodabovegod.com/shop/index.php?cat=5
Abraxas
-------------------
If you would like to have your very own copy of the "Purple Bible," please go here:
http://StellarHousePublishing.com/gospel.html
"The Gospel According to Acharya S" is available internationally through Amazon.
Enjoy!
Acharya S/D.M. Murdock
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Death threats against ex-Muslims
Death threats against ex-Muslims
"In writing this column, I have been dancing around the 800-pound gorilla in the room as concerns secular freedom and religious fanaticism: To wit, Islamic fundamentalism.
"In the past month, several terrorist attacks were aborted across the United States. The case of the runaway teenage ex-Muslim Christian convert Rifqa Bary has been all over the news. Islam is continually in the headlines, both globally and nationally, and not in a good way."
Please read, comment there and pass around!
Acharya
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Acharya S on Bounce Radio, 10/14/09
On Wednesday morning, October 14, 2009, I will be appearing from about 1:20-2:40 PM EST/10:20 to 11:40 AM PST on a show on Bounce Radio. We will be discussing religion as concerns mental, emotional and spiritual health. The show is heard via the radio in eastern California, Arizona and Texas. It can also be heard live through the internet as well.
Please go to:
http://www.bounceradio.net/
(Hit the big "Bounce Talk" button on the right.)
or
http://www.bounceradio.net/talkradio/
There's also a chat room, so please join us!
Enjoy!
Acharya S/D.M. Murdock
Monday, October 12, 2009
One Law for All campaign
One Law for All campaign
Hat tip to vega for the vid of this event:
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Is atheism the answer? Part 4
Is atheism the answer? Part 4
Here is a short excerpt:
It's been a couple of months since I began this series, and I've been putting off concluding it because it's such a huge subject and there's just too much to discuss. Yet, at the same time, in my own mind the whole theism-vs-atheism debate is entirely reconciled. And that is precisely the reason I am writing this series, which I thought might end with this entry but which may be continued...
If your perspective of reality as manifested on a daily basis in your interactions with others is hostile, aggressive and selfish, whether you are a theist or an atheist, your mindset is not an improvement over what we already find dominant. Fanaticism and extremism in any ideology is not the answer.
For the rest, go to:
Is atheism the answer? Part 4
Please read my article, comment there and pass it around!
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Acharya S on 'Smoke & Mirrors' Radio Tonite!
Sorry for the short notice, but I will be appearing on the "Smoke and Mirrors" radio show with Jay Weidner tonight, Thursday, October 8, 2009, from 9:00-10:00 PM EST/6:00-7:00 PM PST.
http://www.jayweidner.com/RadioShow.html
We will be discussing...religion!
The show's archives are available only to members, so please join us live!
Enjoy.
Acharya S/D.M. Murdock
P.S. "The 2010 Astrotheology Calendar" is now available through Amazon U.S., Canada, U.K., France and Germany -
http://stellarhousepublishing.com/2010calendar.html
Monday, October 05, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Ex-Muslims in U.S. want civil rights assurances
Ex-Muslims in U.S. want civil rights assurances
One of my friends, Amil Imani, is a co-founder of an important new organization, Former Muslims United. Please support our fellow human beings in their struggles to ensure that apostasy from Islam is no longer a death sentence.
Please read, comment there and pass around!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Why debunk atheism?
Why debunk atheism?
http:
"These days, we often see the battle raging in news items, on websites and in forums between theists and atheists, as one tries to outwit the other, etc., ad infinitum. Each side takes great glee in providing a more clever or morally superior position than the other. The question is why? Why does one side or the other care?"
Please read, comment there and pass around.
Enjoy!
Acharya
P.S. Here's a terrific message I received on MySpace in response to my Examiner article that truly gets at the heart of the matter.
i loved your article. it seems to me that in the crossfire between theist vs atheist there has to, ironically, be a voice of pure *practical* reason to keep things in perspective, so neither side loses sight of the goal, which ultimately is the expansion of intellectual boundaries. on the other hand, for me, living in the south and being subject to irreligious persecution, i equate the validation of arguments from the atheist side roughly to the Civil Rights Movement. each time we make headway in establishing atheism as something that must be accepted as a valid meta-ethical or religious position, atheists come closer to being true citizens and human beings in more than a merely "technical", de facto sense. i hope Dr. Dawkins will read and absorb what you've written to avoid future outbursts like the ones you describe in your article. ....you rock.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Is atheism the answer? Part 3
Is atheism often the result of a reaction against human abuse by religion? So it seems to be, at least in significant part, as opined by both theists and atheists. Therefore, it is to this debasement of humanity in general by religion that we may look for the cause of much turmoil, including that of the past century, which is held up as a black mark against atheism because of such figures as Josef Stalin, Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot. A common argument against atheism is that these individuals were all atheists who wrought horrendous atrocities against vast numbers of people. While this latter contention of these individuals committing infamy is certainly true and should never be forgotten or whitewashed, is it true that they were all atheists or were motivated by atheism, such that it is to be blamed? Was their lack of belief in a God behind their actions, which led to the deaths many millions?
Please read, comment there and pass it around!Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Freethought Nation
Freethought Nation
Monday, September 14, 2009
'The Christ Conspiracy' in the Huffington Post
My friend Dr. Robert Eisenman, a well-known Bible scholar, has just scored a major coup—albeit one that may not be immediately recognized—in his article for the Huffington Post entitled, "Redemonizing Judas: Gospel Fiction or Gospel Truth?"
Posted using ShareThis
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Islam and the Media: Terrorism Pays
Islam and the Media: Terrorism Pays
"The media and the entire world simply must call a spade a spade and stop verifying by their cowardice and coddling that terrorism pays. Otherwise, we humans as a whole can no longer call ourselves ethical and moral. And our future will be dire indeed."
Please read, comment and pass around!
Friday, September 11, 2009
'"Who Was Jesus?" is an important and enlightening book!'
The following is a review of my book Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of The Christ. While excerpts of it have been posted at Amazon, the entire review is republished here.An important and enlightening book
5.0 out of 5 stars (September 10, 2009)
By Donovan Haagensen (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Sacred allegories historical events?
"Murdock reveals the obvious erroneousness and fictional nature of the Gospels in a very rational and objective manner."Not only has she revealed the obvious erroneousness and fictional nature of the Gospels, but she has "dismantled" and carefully laid out all the essential elements and clues on the table, so to speak, focusing on each individual component, and plainly demonstrating, in a very rational and objective manner, the indisputable facts, as well as highlighting the evident flaws. Even if the information she divulges seems obvious to anyone who has long been suspicious or sceptical of the content contained within the "Good Book", it is nevertheless a riveting and enjoyable read – uncomplicated and coherent, and free of condescension and convolution. Furthermore, she does not express personal opinions, make speculative judgments, or attempt to sway anyone to a particular school of thought, but instead applies the same acumen and impartialness that any scholar or scientist would be expected to employ in the investigation of any subject under examination. In short, Ms. Murdock’s conclusions, which are reached by use of logical deduction and rationale, appear to be incontrovertible.
"Murdock’s conclusions, which are reached by use of logical deduction and rationale, appear to be incontrovertible."
If the same people who are convinced that these bizarre tales are inerrant truths are also capable of accepting the fact that children’s fairytales are clearly made up fantasies, then perhaps it’s about time that they apply the same logic when examining the Bible. And although this would normally be apparent simply by reading the Bible with an open mind, Ms. Murdock has gone the extra mile by not only stating the obvious, but also showing, in meticulous detail, how things just don’t quite add up (or, conversely, how certain things DO add up).
Regrettably, in this modern age, faith is just no longer an acceptable justification, when common sense and methodical enquiry demonstrate otherwise. And this is why it is important, if not essential, that more people read books by authors like D.M. Murdock, in the hope that these outdated and primitive notions will be appropriately seen for what they really are, that the "penny will drop", just as the Flat Earth was eventually rightfully "corrected".
Who Was Jesus? is an important book, essential in the ongoing enterprise of exposing the truth and enlightening the world, so that we may have a future where morals, ethics, integrity, and simple goodness are the order of the day.
D. Haagensen
Johannesburg, South Africa
For more information about this "important and enlightening book," please go to Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of The Christ.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
The Real ZEITGEIST Challenge
I have written a lengthy article/ebook on the subject of whether or not the first part of the original, official version of the movie "ZEITGEIST" has been debunked:The Real ZEITGEIST Challenge
http://stellarhousepublishing.com/zeitgeist-challenge.html
Here is a pertinent excerpts:
"...once more I step into the fray to demonstrate — as I have already done many times over the past decades — that a number of salient 'modern' religious notions are in fact very ancient, that Christianity is largely a rehash of earlier religions and mythologies, and that acknowledging this past, without all the brainwashing and conditioning that causes intellectual dishonesty, blindness and hysteria, represents the real 'ZEITGEIST Challenge.'"
This article is also available as a free 20+-page ebook for immediate download. If you are interested in the truth behind "ZEITGEIST," Part 1, you will want to read this article/ebook.
I believe this subject is very important, as I am convinced that proper understanding of humanity's religions are a major key to establishing a functional human family.
Here is how I end this article:
"For the sake of justice and mankind's magnificent legacy - this information actually represents the best of humanity - we must not let the cover up of this crime against humanity stand and the burial of our heritage occur again. We have the tools and freedoms at last to reconstruct the past to a greater extent, to restore the ancient cultures to their proper place, and to delve into religious origins in a way never before enjoyed. Let us not allow this amazing opportunity to slip away based on the same blind belief, calumny and specious contentions that buried this legacy in the first place. This awakening towards our collective past and call to preserve it in the face of continued censorial onslaught represents the real challenge of ZEITGEIST."
The Real ZEITGEIST Challenge article
The Real ZEITGEIST Challenge ebook
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
The Religion of Environmentalism?
The Religion of Environmentalism?
Please read, comment there and pass it around!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Pacific garbage patch and religious fanaticism
Pacific garbage patch and religious fanaticism
"By now, many may be wondering if I will be tracing every human ill to religious fanaticism, mania, pathology and psychosis. On a global scale, there is much to be said for the notion that religious delusion has created a tremendous amount of suffering, including and significantly as concerns environmental degradation...."
Please read, comment there and pass it around!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Is atheism the answer? Part 2
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-17009-Freethought-Examiner~y2009m8d24-Is-atheism-the-answer-Part-2
"Last week in the first part of this series, I made the case for atheistic thinking as a natural part of the healthy human mind. I did not, however, draw any firm conclusions as to whether or not atheism as a worldview is a solution to many of society's ills, including and especially religious fanaticism. Indeed, the question remains, is atheism even a worldview?...
"I have sifted through some 200-300 comments on my article both here and elsewhere, remarks running the gamut from glorious to grotesque, encouraging to insulting. Mostly, however, these comments have been thoughtful, rational and profound...."
For the full discussion of this debate, be sure to go to my article:
Is atheism the answer? Part 2
Please read, comment there and pass it around! Your support is very important in getting the word out. Thank you, and enjoy!Acharya S/D.M. Murdock
Friday, August 21, 2009
"The Gospel According to Acharya S" Reviews!
I wanted to let you know about the great things people are saying about my new book The Gospel According to Acharya S. First of all, just so you know, this book is not about "the" gospel, i.e., the New Testament story of Jesus Christ. It's about MY "good news," which is one meaning of the word "gospel."In The Gospel, I discuss many of the major religious and spiritual issues that humankind encounters, from a freethinker perspective. That means I don't either mindlessly believe or simply dismiss these concepts. Rather, I explore them and attempt to reconcile them with reality. To read about The Gospel, go here:
http://StellarHousePublishing.com/gospel.html
Following are some of the great reviews The Gospel has been getting:
"I received your book yesterday, and fell asleep in it last night...in a good way 'cause I couldn't put it down! Devoured most of it!
"THE MOST liberating book I've read...ever! My eyes are open wide now!
"Thank You for your Gospel, aka: GOOD NEWS, no...GREAT NEWS!
"You are very intelligent, bold yet subtle, and I love your sense of humor!
"Also, it's obvious—your love for true humanity, and passion, and truth, and well, pretty much all things that pertain to taking one's mind permanently out of the box that we ourselves, with society's help, have huddled in and under for far too long!
"Ok...back to gobble up the rest! :) good day to you."
Joni, United Kingdom
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5.0 out of 5 stars
By Wayne Mayfield (Chicago)
"Having read two of her other works, Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of the Christ, and The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold, I expected another scholarly in depth book. Turns out it is exactly that, but with a bit of a new twist.
"Acharya takes off the gloves in this book.... In the aforementioned books her approach is a bit more clinical, relying on facts and extremely well done research. She surely hasn't abandoned that set of skills in this book.
"However, I think she is a bit more casual in her writing.... She also offers her view on life and living, hence the title the Gospel According to Acharya S.
"Overall, I'd say this book is going to be a best seller for her. It's loaded with pictures, (perhaps to keep the attention of the less intelligent among us) and loaded with a lot of the relatively obscure words related to the subject matter. Notwithstanding the verbage, this book is an easy read and a real hard hitting, take no prisoners approach to exposing religion for what it truly is. Bravo. 5 Stars."
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These are just a couple of the reviews The Gospel has received. If you would like to know more, please go here:
http://StellarHousePublishing.com/gospel.html
Don't forget that "The Gospel" is now available globally through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, both of which are linked at my page.
Enjoy!
Acharya S/D.M. Murdock
P.S. For those who already own a copy of The Gospel, please see this "Notice of Errata":
http://stellarhousepublishing.com/gospelerrata.html
Monday, August 17, 2009
Is atheism the answer?
There has been a great deal of debate in the media lately concerning the "New Atheism" as led by "atheist gods" such as Richard Dawkins, P.Z. Myers, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens. This notoriety has been enhanced by Dawkins & Co.'s infamous "bus ads," as well as the "Imagine No Religion" billboards by the Freedom from Religion Foundation headed by Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. Then there is the little chat between famous atheists Bill Maher and Brad Pitt that is kicking up controversy, along with a number of other "stars" expressing their unbelief. We also read reports that atheism is on the rise in the United States, reaching percentages never recorded before. Truly, atheism is out of the closet.For the rest, please go to:
Is atheism the answer?
Please read the article, comment there and pass it around! Digging, Facebooking, Twittering all helps to spread the word.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Beating up Women for Allah
A New York Time op-ed piece by Egyptian journalist Mona Eltahaway demonstrates just how great Islam is for women. Pointing out that 164 women in Muslim countries were sentenced in the past month to the cruel punishment of flogging, for the most inane and unfair "offenses," Eltahaway sensibly asks, where is the outrage?The fact is that Islam gets a pass because it is a "religion," it has so many adherents, and its "radicals" and "extremists" (i.e., devout Muslims) have been blowing up, beheading, slaughtering and terrorizing much of the world. People are frankly terrified to speak out against this atrocity because the "religion of peace" has never been anything of the kind. As Eltahaway says concerning the women of Sudan, for example:
They have served as the whipping girls for the Sudanese regime’s cheap game of flogging women to show off its “Islamic principles.”There it is in a nutshell: Brutal and vicious rape, beheading, stoning, acid attacks, "honor killings" - none of these horrors and indecencies sully the name of Islam, but a woman wearing trousers does.
The International Criminal Court has indicted President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. His janjaweed allies in Darfur have been accused of rape. Trousers are “indecent” but rape is just another reminder of how useful women’s bodies are in conveying the message.
Abusing Women and Islam
Women's Rights in Islam
Yale Cowtows to Islamic Terrorism
As is obvious from all the appeasing, terrorism pays off. If you blow up a bunch of things, slaughtering tons of people, and there's enough of you, you will get your way. Violence pays, if the horde is big enough. Now, rather than fighting back by sensibly pointing out how barbaric and savage is this "sensibility" being coddled, entire nations are falling to their knees in capitulation, which is exactly the point of terrorism.
Like so many others, including almost entire European governments, Yale's actions have proved once again that the "religion of peace" is no such thing and that terrorism pays.
Publisher bans images of Muhammad in new book
Danish Cartoon ArchiveYale University Press has decided against reprinting the Danish cartoons of the prophet Muhammad in a book examining the controversy, after being advised by Islam and counterterrorism experts that doing so could incite violence.
As well as leaving out the 12 cartoons which provoked riots across the Islamic world in 2006, Yale also bowed to recommendations not to include any other illustrations of Muhammad, including a 19th century sketch by Gustave Doré of Muhammad in Hell from Dante's Inferno, in the book, The Cartoons That Shook the World.
Author Jytte Klausen said the book had been ready to go to print when the illustrations were pulled, after Yale received some "quite alarmist" statements from experts to whom it had sent the title. A professor of politics at a Massachusetts university, Klausen argued for inclusion of the cartoons in the book, which is due out in November in the US and January in the UK. "People think they know the cartoons and actually, by printing the cartoons, I'm arguing that some of them are Islamophobic, and in the tradition of anti-Semitism. If we can't look at them, how can we discuss this?" she said today.
The Prophet of Doom










