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HomeShop at BookSurgeReligionBuddhismGeneral (see also Philosophy/Eastern/Buddhism)Astrotheology & Shamanism: Christianity's Pagan Roots. A Revolutionary Reinterpretation of the Evidence (Black & White Edition) |
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16 of 17 found the following review helpful:
Paradigm Shift Jan 18, 2011
By Truth Seeker
I grew up Christian my whole life. I was a preacher's kid, and even went to a Christian University. As the years progressed, I never really felt that connection to Jesus as I expected. I began to question and doubt myself as to whether something was wrong with me. As I sat in Bible/Christian related classes, the answers given simply seemed to lead to more questions. Things didn't add up for me. The miracles, the words, the interpretations/variations of many things.
I began to study myself introspectively. I stopped going to Church and saw it for what it was. Any time ideas came up out of the norm, I would attempt to discuss them with my friends. Obviously, due to their being in the Christian environment too it had a clear bias towards the scripture. Everything and every answer was supposedly contained from within God's Word. They could pull passages, chapters, books to support their ideas, but it still didn't give me a fulfilling answer. I found many answers to my questions in this book. This book has changed my perceptions on what Christianity is (and isn't) forever.
I've taken apologetics classes, "Christian Evidences" classes and they simply do not address what is in this book at all. It is a stream of knowledge so guarded over thousands of years (older than the supposed time of Christ himself). Nothing in this book is mainstream, and I find that to be a great thing. If you seek truth, this book is a must.
Contained inside you'll find very detailed information cited with footnotes. You can tell the authors have taken the time to thoroughly flesh out their conclusions. The progression of the book starts in the law of Duality, then Astrology (or Astrotheology as the title indicates) as the "Part 1" to the book. This isn't your basic useless vague horoscope Astrology you see in a newspaper, I'll tell you that. Read the footnotes, if you have questions then reference the books that are cited. The "Part 2" of the book covers the suppression of information over thousands of years by specific groups of people. Within, you will find several detailed pictures of ancient and modern symbolism hidden within. Unless you have a guide, or the key to reading into the details you'd never understand what they meant and would just think "oh, that's a nice piece of old art." The authors do an excellent job weaving their tapestry with the golden thread of knowledge. Once you see what they have to offer in this book, you will not see the world the same ever again. That's not to scare you off, but rather encourage you to think for yourself not what a person of "authority" in scriptures tells you. It is only the tip of the iceberg of information, but a great starting place for those who want to understand why things are the way they are today. The best $$ I've spent in my life!
12 of 13 found the following review helpful:
Truth Be Told Nov 05, 2009
By Matthew Toussaint
Jan Irvin and Andrew Rutajit offer open-minded readers an expansive and encompassing--though not exhaustive and overwhelming--look into the depths and origins of religion around the world and throughout history. The underlying themes presented in this well written and expertly illustrated book are certainly evocative; and to the uninformed reader, some of the ideas may come as a shock, in all their profundity. But to those who are willing to set aside cultural bias (and programming), this book provides a wellspring of information that serious seekers will find both refreshing in its authenticity and liberating in its implications. The story that emerges contains within it the seeds of transformation that could play a formative role in bearing the fruit of a completely new worldview, one that reconnects humanity with our deepest and most vital selves. This book may be ahead of its time, but that time is coming, and when it does, this is the knowledge that is going to help humanity envision and eventually build a new world, one that is based on ancient and timeless truths. Highly recommended reading.
11 of 12 found the following review helpful:
Alchemical Gold Nov 24, 2009
By Andrew J. Strieby
A book that is a must own for anyone interested in Christianity's pagan roots and/or shamanism. Jan Irvin and Andrew Rutajit combine brilliant writing, impeccable research, and immaculate illustrations from Nicholas Zervos in a clear and open minded book that will give any reader a jaw dropping tour of Christianity throughout the ages. This book will leave you with a deeper understanding of religious symbolism and will even make sense out of the modern holiday traditions of Christmas and Easter. The authors leave no stone unturned in an attempt to illuminate the reader with the resplendent truth about the origins of Christianity. This work is truly Alchemical Gold! The information in this book is so strong that when you're finished reading it you will pass it along to everyone you know. A great gift for the holidays! Hurry up and buy it already!
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
In-depth and thorough Apr 15, 2011
By Aramate
If you are already familiar with non-mainstream thought and analysis, you will truly love this book and get something from every word. If you are at all unwilling to consider alternatives to the judeo-christian concepts of spirituality, then prepare to have your beliefs shaken. If you are on the alternative spiritual path and looking to slowly open your friends and loved ones in to new ways for them to think, I would recommend starting a little slower than this book and maybe with something like "Pagans and Christians" by Gus diZerega, a little bit more of an "easing" into it, if you will. Astrotheology and Shamanism is a FANTASTIC book, but for someone who has never thought beyond the widely accepted dogmatic religious views in our society, it may be a little over-whelming. Plus, some of the commentary by the authors is a little on the angry side (at the beginning) and if someone is for the first time "dipping their toe" into alternative ways of thinking, it may scare them away or put them off the book -which would be a real shame. I give it 5 stars because the information contained within is brilliantly laid out, and fascinating to absorb. It is truly inspiring to read, and for me, was a page turner. The only less than glowing thing I can say is that by Chapter 9, the book has beaten its point so hard that it's gotten redundant, and honestly, if you're still reading at Ch. 9, you're probably already convinced. It does pick back up though by ch. 10. Highly recommend to my fellow spiritual seekers out there, a must for every pagan library!
5 of 6 found the following review helpful:
The Dawning of the Age of Aquarius Aug 28, 2009
By Paul J. Mozina
It was the summer of 1973 and The 5th Dimension was playing "Let the Sunshine In" at the Wisconsin State Fair Park and I was getting really high for the first time under the grandstands with some total strangers. Thus began a long love affair for me with altered states of consciousness. I have endured ridicule, condescension and the threat of government sanctions ever since merely for acknowledging and continuing to seek the mind expanding experiences available via the plants that nature has provided for us. Astrotheology and Shamanism goes way beyond affirming that the insights I gained from using naturally occurring plants to "get high" were legitimate. Jan Irvin and Andrew Rutajit go much deeper indeed showing clearly how the use of mind altering plants has influenced the evolution of religions and cultures across many, many generations. This book is a must read for anyone desiring to break free of the psychic stranglehold currently being enforced via the War On Drugs aka, the Pharmacratic Inquisition.
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