August 27, 2013 D.M. Murdock
Over the past six years since the first "ZEITGEIST" film was released, I have spent many hours providing backup documentation for its religion part. It was significantly my work used in the religion part of the first film
("ZG1.1"), and I was a last minute consultant before it was released.
Since that time, with hundreds of millions of people seeing the film in
countries globally, there has been much debate about the contents. Most
of the information being circulated has been incorrect, however, while
the correct data largely have been forgotten or ignored.
Here I will provide a short list of the top 10 falsehoods being passed around the internet about ZG1.1. Those interested in the documentation or rebuttals of supposed "debunkings" may read my books, websites and forums. (Note that I have no involvement in the rest of the film or series.)
Here I will provide a short list of the top 10 falsehoods being passed around the internet about ZG1.1. Those interested in the documentation or rebuttals of supposed "debunkings" may read my books, websites and forums. (Note that I have no involvement in the rest of the film or series.)
Zeitgeist Sourcebook
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| D.M. Murdock/Peter Joseph |
10. Zeitgeist has no sources.
FALSE. The sources for this short summary - which was never meant to be an exhaustive documentary - were listed years ago on the ZG website. Many more are included in my Sourcebook, which contains over 100 pages of primary sources and the works of credentialed authorities. The sources can be found also on my website in a separate bibliography.
The sources include ancient artifacts, writings and archaeological sites, as well as the modern research of over 40 scholars with doctorate degrees whose works are published by top academic publishers.
http://www.examiner.com/list/top-10-myths-about-the-religion-part-of-zeitgeist?cid=last_list_arrow
FALSE. The sources for this short summary - which was never meant to be an exhaustive documentary - were listed years ago on the ZG website. Many more are included in my Sourcebook, which contains over 100 pages of primary sources and the works of credentialed authorities. The sources can be found also on my website in a separate bibliography.
The sources include ancient artifacts, writings and archaeological sites, as well as the modern research of over 40 scholars with doctorate degrees whose works are published by top academic publishers.
The Dendera Zodiac
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| Dendera Zodiac, c. 1st cent. BCE (public domain) |
9. Astrotheology has been debunked.
FALSE. "Astrotheology" is a term to describe the ancient nature worship that revolves around the sun, moon, planets, stars and constellations in particular. It is also called "astrolatry" and "astral mythology." This worship can be found all over the world dating back many thousands of years, as demonstrated in my books, articles and forum threads.
FALSE. "Astrotheology" is a term to describe the ancient nature worship that revolves around the sun, moon, planets, stars and constellations in particular. It is also called "astrolatry" and "astral mythology." This worship can be found all over the world dating back many thousands of years, as demonstrated in my books, articles and forum threads.
Christ as the sun
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| Christ as the sun tapestry (public domain) |
8. The words "sun" and "son" aren't cognate in English, as claimed.
FALSE. Neither ZG1.1 nor I have ever made this claim, and, as a linguist, I am well aware that the words for "sun" and "son" in Hebrew, Greek and Latin are not the same as in English.
In the comparison of the "son of God" as the "sun of God," we are simply using a very old and venerable pun or play on words to describe a mythological phenomenon. I have discussed this subject in depth in my ebook Jesus as the Sun throughout History and in my rebuttal to Chris Forbes.
FALSE. Neither ZG1.1 nor I have ever made this claim, and, as a linguist, I am well aware that the words for "sun" and "son" in Hebrew, Greek and Latin are not the same as in English.
In the comparison of the "son of God" as the "sun of God," we are simply using a very old and venerable pun or play on words to describe a mythological phenomenon. I have discussed this subject in depth in my ebook Jesus as the Sun throughout History and in my rebuttal to Chris Forbes.
Zodiac with Christ-Helios surrounded by 12 disciples
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| Zodiac with Christ-Helios surrounded by 12 disciples, c. 813-820 AD/CE (Vaticanus graecus 1291) |
7. The twelve zodiac signs are not the 12 disciples.
FALSE. Jesus's 12 "disciples" have been associated since antiquity with the signs of the zodiac, as early as the second century, when Christianity begins to emerge in the historical record. I discuss the motif of the 12 extensively in my writings, including forum threads.
In the early third century, Church father Clement of Alexandria (Excerpts from Theodotus 1.25.2) reported on the doctrine of the Valentinian Gnostic Theodotus (fl. 150-180 AD/CE):
FALSE. Jesus's 12 "disciples" have been associated since antiquity with the signs of the zodiac, as early as the second century, when Christianity begins to emerge in the historical record. I discuss the motif of the 12 extensively in my writings, including forum threads.
In the early third century, Church father Clement of Alexandria (Excerpts from Theodotus 1.25.2) reported on the doctrine of the Valentinian Gnostic Theodotus (fl. 150-180 AD/CE):
He says the apostles were substituted for the twelve signs of the zodiac, for, as birth is directed by them, so is rebirth by the apostles." (Hegedus, 324)As theologian Rev. Dr. Tim Hegedus remarks in Early Christianity and Ancient Astrology (343): "[The] twelve apostles have taken over the role of guardian...of the zodiacal signs that had traditionally been held by the twelve [Olympian] gods."
Jewish historian Josephus
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| Titus Flavius Josephus (37–c. 100 AD/CE) (public domain) |
6. Ancient writers like Josephus, Pliny, Suetonius and Tacitus wrote about Jesus of Nazareth.
FALSE. When these writings are scrutinized in their original languages and context, they do not rate as credible scientific evidence of a historical Jesus of Nazareth at the core of the gospel story. For example, Suetonius wrote about a "Chrestus," not a "Christus," and there is no indication this individual is the supposedly historical Jesus of Nazareth. The value of Josephus is equally questionable, as are the others.
I have written extensively about this subject of purported extrabiblical evidence, none of which is contemporaneous with Christ's alleged advent.
FALSE. When these writings are scrutinized in their original languages and context, they do not rate as credible scientific evidence of a historical Jesus of Nazareth at the core of the gospel story. For example, Suetonius wrote about a "Chrestus," not a "Christus," and there is no indication this individual is the supposedly historical Jesus of Nazareth. The value of Josephus is equally questionable, as are the others.
I have written extensively about this subject of purported extrabiblical evidence, none of which is contemporaneous with Christ's alleged advent.
Horus and his 12 followers
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| Horus and the 12 (adapted from A.G. Shedid/Erik Hornung) |
5. The Egyptian god Horus didn't have 12 followers.
FALSE. Horus is depicted in ancient myths as leading 12 souls through the afterlife. One source for this myth is the Book of the Amduat, a lengthy discussion of which can be found in Christ in Egypt.
At times this argument revolves around the use of the word "disciples," in an attempt to split hairs. I have also addressed this issue in my forums, where many other discussions of "the 12" can be found.
FALSE. Horus is depicted in ancient myths as leading 12 souls through the afterlife. One source for this myth is the Book of the Amduat, a lengthy discussion of which can be found in Christ in Egypt.
At times this argument revolves around the use of the word "disciples," in an attempt to split hairs. I have also addressed this issue in my forums, where many other discussions of "the 12" can be found.
Anubis purifying Osiris
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| Anubis baptizes Osiris (Renouf, "Egyptian Book of the Dead," 51) |
4. Osiris/Horus was not baptized.
FALSE. The Egyptian god Anubis or Anpu ("Anup") was the purifier of the dead, whom he washed ritually, as in baptism. The living pharaoh is an incarnation of Horus, while the dead pharaoh is Osiris. As the king passes through the afterworld ritual, he is purified or baptized by Anubis, as I discuss in a detailed chapter in Christ in Egypt.
FALSE. The Egyptian god Anubis or Anpu ("Anup") was the purifier of the dead, whom he washed ritually, as in baptism. The living pharaoh is an incarnation of Horus, while the dead pharaoh is Osiris. As the king passes through the afterworld ritual, he is purified or baptized by Anubis, as I discuss in a detailed chapter in Christ in Egypt.
Diodorus describes Horus's death and resurrection
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| Diodorus (1.25.6) describes Horus's death and resurrection (D.M. Murdock/Acharya S from Perseus Hopper)) |
3. Horus wasn't killed and didn't resurrect.
FALSE. In the first century BCE, Diodorus Siculus (1.25.6) related the myth of Horus being killed by his brother Seth, after which the god is resurrected by his mother, Isis. The same Greek word to describe Horus's resurrection, anastasis, is used later to depict Christ's revivification. I discuss this motif and the burial for three days in depth in Christ in Egypt.
FALSE. In the first century BCE, Diodorus Siculus (1.25.6) related the myth of Horus being killed by his brother Seth, after which the god is resurrected by his mother, Isis. The same Greek word to describe Horus's resurrection, anastasis, is used later to depict Christ's revivification. I discuss this motif and the burial for three days in depth in Christ in Egypt.
Christ's nativity, traditionally held on December 25th
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| Christ's nativity (Bernardo Dadi, c. 1325-1350; National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh) |
2. The Bible doesn't mention Jesus's birthday, therefore Zeitgeist is wrong about December 25th.
FALSE. ZG1.1 only states that the very popular, widespread, well-known and long-time tradition of Christ's birth was placed deliberately by ancient Christians on December 25th in emulation of ancient winter-solstice festivals.
These solar festivals date back many thousands of years and are not restricted to the day of the winter solstice. The birth of the sun god at midnight on December 24th reflects an ancient perception of a three-day period when the sun appeared to be "dead." Christianity adopted this very ancient tradition and replaced the sun with the Jewish messiah, as can be seen in the linked brief history of Jesus's winter-solstice birthday.
I have written extensively on this subject, including in Christ in Egypt and articles such as "When Was the First Christmas?"
FALSE. ZG1.1 only states that the very popular, widespread, well-known and long-time tradition of Christ's birth was placed deliberately by ancient Christians on December 25th in emulation of ancient winter-solstice festivals.
These solar festivals date back many thousands of years and are not restricted to the day of the winter solstice. The birth of the sun god at midnight on December 24th reflects an ancient perception of a three-day period when the sun appeared to be "dead." Christianity adopted this very ancient tradition and replaced the sun with the Jewish messiah, as can be seen in the linked brief history of Jesus's winter-solstice birthday.
I have written extensively on this subject, including in Christ in Egypt and articles such as "When Was the First Christmas?"
Isis as the Virgin on the wall of Seti I's tomb
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| Isis as Great Virgin in Seti I's tomb (GA, Freethought Nation) |
1. Horus's mother, Isis, was not a virgin.
FALSE. In early myths, Isis "impregnates" herself using Osiris's "phallus," an astrotheological motif, not a story about real people. This myth reflects the entrance of the "sharp star" Sothis or Sirius into the sky, heralding the flooding of the Nile. The Nile water is symbolized by Osiris, while Isis is the river's banks, fertilized to produce the shoot, Horus.
Despite this astral myth, Isis remains the "Great Virgin," another version of the ancient parthenogenetic goddess who brings forth without consort. I write extensively about this motif in Christ in Egypt and in articles, such as "ISIS IS A VIRGIN MOTHER!!" and "Neith, Virgin Mother of the World"
For example, the Pyramid Texts speak of "the great virgin" (Hwn.t wr.t) three times, at 682c, 728a and 2002a, while in a text in the Abydos Temple of Seti I, Isis herself declares: "I am the great virgin."
Isis's perpetual virginity reflects her role in nature, as the bringer of new life annually and otherwise. This virgin-mother goddess motif has been very popular since remote antiquity. (See also "Was Mithra Born of a Virgin Mother?," "Was Krishna's Mother a Virgin?" and "Attis: Born of a Virgin on December 25th, Crucified and Resurrected after Three Days?")
FALSE. In early myths, Isis "impregnates" herself using Osiris's "phallus," an astrotheological motif, not a story about real people. This myth reflects the entrance of the "sharp star" Sothis or Sirius into the sky, heralding the flooding of the Nile. The Nile water is symbolized by Osiris, while Isis is the river's banks, fertilized to produce the shoot, Horus.
Despite this astral myth, Isis remains the "Great Virgin," another version of the ancient parthenogenetic goddess who brings forth without consort. I write extensively about this motif in Christ in Egypt and in articles, such as "ISIS IS A VIRGIN MOTHER!!" and "Neith, Virgin Mother of the World"
For example, the Pyramid Texts speak of "the great virgin" (Hwn.t wr.t) three times, at 682c, 728a and 2002a, while in a text in the Abydos Temple of Seti I, Isis herself declares: "I am the great virgin."
Isis's perpetual virginity reflects her role in nature, as the bringer of new life annually and otherwise. This virgin-mother goddess motif has been very popular since remote antiquity. (See also "Was Mithra Born of a Virgin Mother?," "Was Krishna's Mother a Virgin?" and "Attis: Born of a Virgin on December 25th, Crucified and Resurrected after Three Days?")
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