We are told it is wrong to be selfish and egotistical. Most assent to this; the next move is to identify with an idea, a mythical figure, a cause, an idea, in which we invest our disowned egotism. We can then validate acts that would otherwise be judged immoral, cruel, intolerant, inhuman....
If I kill for my own benefit, that's wrong. If I kill for Jesus, that's OK. If I am intolerant, that's wrong. If I'm intolerant in defense of the interests of America, that's OK.
Joanna
Michael Pugliese wrote:
> Prominently displayed in the New Age section of a local bookstore.
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0932813747/ref=pd_sim_books_5/104-6014246-0136756?v=glance&s=books
>
> The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold
> by Acharya S
> Book Description
> Controversial and explosive, The Christ Conspiracy marshals an
> enormous amount of startling evidence that the religion of
> Christianity and Jesus Christ were created by members of various
> secret societies, mystery schools and religions in order to unify the
> Roman Empire under one state religion! This powerful book maintains
> that these groups drew upon a multitude of myths and rituals that
> already existed long before the Christian era and reworked them into
> the story the Christian religion presents today-known to most
> Westerners as the Bible. Author Acharya makes the case that there was
> no actual person named Jesus, but that several characters were rolled
> into one mythic being inspired by the deities Mithras,
> Heracles/Hercules, Dionysus and many others of the Roman Empire. She
> demonstrates that the story of Jesus, as portrayed in the Gospels, is
> nearly identical in detail to those of the earlier savior-gods Krishna
> and Horus, and concludes that Jesus was certainly neither original
> nor unique, nor was he the divine revelation. Rather, he represents
> the very ancient body of knowledge derived from celestial observation
> and natural forces. A book that will initiate heated debate and inner
> struggle, it is intelligently written and referenced. The only book
> of its kind, it is destined for controversy.