After reading Brian Tamaki’s various pronouncements over the last few days, it got us thinking. Who would be the worst New Zealand theologian of all time? That is, which New Zealanders have made the most ridiculous, ludicrous, and comical claims about God, Jesus, and Christianity? Who is wearing the dirtiest theological underwear in the (brief) history of New Zealand?

So after lengthy consideration and deliberations, here are The Three Worst New Zealand Theologians of All Time:

Brian Tamaki

At Number 3: Destiny Church’s Brian Tamaki.

Brian is famous for leading thousands of Destiny faithful in a march on Parliament in 2004, choosing to dress them in black shirts and stirring them to raise their fists in the air in unison – so that they looked every part the picture of a fascist neo-Nazi troop. Which may not be far from the truth. Brian has accumulated a minor fortune from his theologizing, receiving an annual income from his flock in excess of half-a-million dollars and owning a million-dollar-plus house. In addition to his self-proclamation as ‘Bishop’, Brian regularly preaches against the ‘radical homosexual agenda’ (shhhh… how did he find out?), as seen in his early morning TVNZ televangelism show and on his “A Nation Under Siege” DVD. On these entertaining, if not slightly hysterical displays of non-contextual theology, Brian pulls out the usual array of trusty Old Testament texts which declare the death penalty for anything from homosexuals to disobedient children – although his heart and mind is on homosexuality. After forming a political party in 2003, Destiny NZ, Brian took up the prophetic mantel, with mixed success. In 2004, Brian issued a prophetic prediction that – by 2008 – Destiny would be “ruling the nation” of New Zealand. This did not transpire. Alas, as it turned out, the prophecy did not come from the Lord, after all. And this is unfortunate for a man who insists on applying Old Testament laws, because Deuteronomy 18:20 prescribes the death penalty for a false prophet.

Michael Baigent

At Number 2: Michael Baigent.

Michael made his name as co-author of a far-fetched tin-pot theory on Jesus contained in The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail. A pastiche of medieval legend and non-contextual snippets from randomly chosen Gnostic writings, Michael’s book was a fabulous exercise in fantasy and conspiracy theory. Most famously, the book was to later provide the key foundation for the ‘rigorous’ research carried out by Dan Brown, for his popular novel, The Da Vinci Code. Even the surname of Dan Brown’s fictional villain, Leigh Teabing is, as has been recognized, a cunning anagram of New Zealand’s second worst theologian of all time. Baigent’s latest contribution to rotten theology is The Jesus Papers: Exposing the Greatest Cover-Up in History (2006), in which Baigent relies on secret papers known only to Baigent himself in order to construe another fanciful piece of utter nonsense.

Ray Comfort

But at Number 1, the indisputable Worst New Zealand Theologian of All Time is: Ray Comfort.

Ray first made his name as a soap-box preacher in Christchurch’s Cathedral Square, opposing the much more entertaining rants of the (then) Wizard of Christchurch with conservative evangelical hell-and-brimstone preaching and popular apologetics. But deeper theological nadirs were to follow for Ray. After migrating to the United States, Ray found a large and receptive audience for his brand of absurd apologetics. A highlight was his explanation of the banana as ‘The Atheist’s Nightmare’, which, as he explained, was designed by Almighty God with grooves which perfectly fit the human hand, even including a ‘non-slip surface’. In addition, Ray has written dozens of books and tracts which provide disproofs of evolution and defences of the Bible, all utilizing a similar level of theological sophistication. For these reasons, and so many more, Ray Comfort deservedly receives the honour of New Zealand’s Worst Theologian of All Time.

Sîngele Sfînt şi Sfîntul Graal (Holy Blood, Holy Grail)
de Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, Henry Lincoln
Succese internationale / Legat
septembrie 2005

Redactor: Vlad T. Popescu

Prezentarea de pe coperta IV:

Apariţia, în urmă cu peste douăzeci de ani, a cărţii „Sângele Sfânt şi Sfântul Graal”, a declanşat o furtună de controverse ale căror ecouri răsună şi acum în întreaga lume. Concluziile la care ajung autorii sînt convingătoare,  şocante, iar pentru mulţi oameni chiar periculoase. Indiferent de opiniile pe care le aveţi, aceasta este o carte pe care nu o veţi putea lăsa deoparte.

Argumentele care stau la baza acestei cărţi sunt cele care au inspirat, douăzeci de ani mai tîrziu, bestsellerul mondial CODUL LUI DA VINCI.

Dags för del 5 i serien ”Alternativa evangelier”. Utgångspunkt från Lee Strobels bok ”Vilken Jesus ska jag tro på?”  och experten är Craig A Evans. Jämför gärna denna fakta med den vi har om de bibliska evangelierna.

Bakgrund:

- Författaren Michael Baigent (mest känd för sin bok ”Heligt Blood, Helig Graal”, som låg till grund för mycket i Dan Browns ”Da Vinci-koden”) kom 2006 ut med en bok med titeln ”Jesusskrifterna (”The Jesus Papers”).

- I boken rapporterar Baigent om en upptäckts av två papyrusdokument skrivna på arameiska, daterade till tiden för Jesu korsfästelse.

Innehåll:

- Författaren till dessa papyrusdokument kallar sig ”Israels barns Messias” och förklarar för det judiska Stora Rådet, Sanhedrin, att han aldrig menade att påstå sig vara Gud, utan att han bara förkroppsligade Guds ande.

- Baigent menar att det är Jesus själv som ligger bakom dokumenten, därav titeln ”Jesusskrifterna”.

Granskning:

- Dokumentet ska, enligt Baigent, ha funnits under glas hos en antikhandlare.

- De går dock inte att visa upp. De är försvunna.

- Det finns inga foton av dem.

- Varken Baigent eller antikhandlaren kunde arameiska. Därmed kan man fråga sig hur de kunde tyda texten.

- Dock påstår Baigent att två välkända arkeologer, Yigel Yadin och Nahman Avigad, ska ha bekräftat fyndet. Dessa kan desvärre inte uttala sig, eftersom de är döda numera.

- Dokument som legat begravda i jorden i Jerusalem skulle aldrig överleva i 2000 år. Det är för fuktigt. Skulle kanske klarat sig i Egypten eller kring Döda Havet. Men i Jerusalem regnar det, och kan snöa upp till 5 centimeter.

Slutsats:

- Craig A. Evans:

”Så vi har till att börja med en författare med tvivelaktig trovärdighet. Sen en antikhandlare som inte kan identifieras, dokument som Baigent inte kan läsa eller visa upp och till vilka vi inte har någon översättning eller intyg, och två döda arkeologer. Detta är bara tokerier.”

—-

Nästa gång är det sista delen i serien om alternativa evangelier. Del 6 kommer handla om det uppmärksammade Judasevangeliet. Var Judas den främste av Jesu lärjungar? Var Jesu död en utstuderad plan mellan Jesus och Judas? Join us next time…

As part of the process of promoting “Jupiter meets Uranus”, I have been doing some interviews. This one was particular fun to do, since Wendy of that excellent site The Know It All Astrologer sent me a list of questions which I was not expecting at all! The unexpected, of course, is useful for jolting one’s remaining brain cell into something approaching dynamic action….

*****************************************

Interview between The Know It All Astrologer and Scottish astrologer Anne Whitaker

Anne W

What transit always shows up for you in surprising ways?

They all do, especially the long-lasting ones. The deep challenges that force our growth lurk in the realms of the unconscious, just waiting to hitch a ride on the nearest really tough transit. For example, I didn’t think that ten years of Neptune transits was going to involve an enforced descent into the Underworld for most of that period! However, the good news is that I have now emerged, much improved (unless you ask my husband….!) with enough notes to keep me writing for a further ten years.

What is your funniest transit or retrograde experience?

There are several, not all of which can be aired publicly! The one which comes immediately to mind is the occasion, in March 1985, when Saturn turned retrograde on my 28 Scorpio IC. In the middle of lunch with an old friend who at that time was a bank manager, without warning, I passed out. Just then, a friend of his, who was also a bank manager, was passing by the restaurant window. I came round and insisted on going home – very groggily, with a bank manager holding me up by each arm. Very Saturn in Scorpio, don’t you think?!

Would you rather be ruled by Uranus or Jupiter? Why?

What a question! Both those planets are strong in my horoscope, Uranus in the tenth house leading an eastern bowl shape, with Jupiter in the third closing the bowl, and the two in bi-quintile aspect. My Ascendant is also on the Jupiter/Uranus midpoint. However, if forced to choose I would go for Jupiter, provided the aspects weren’t too difficult. My reasons are probably dictated by the stage I’ve got to in life: that disruptive, eccentric, unpredictable, stubborn individualism characteristic of a Uranus-ruled life feels too tiring to contemplate now!

Jupiter’s boundless energy and optimism, ability to inspire others and be inspired by the more positive dimensions of  life, and willingness to be open to a sense of meaningful connectedness to that which is greater than oneself, are especially attractive to me at this point.

What advice would you give to someone learning how to read their own chart?

One, there are dozens of ways of evading personal responsibility – resolve at the outset never to do so by blaming your horoscope or your transits for your difficulties in life.

Two, realise that objectivity is something to be aspired to, which can never be achieved by mere human beings. This being the case, try to recognise that you can be most objective and therefore most helpful by reading the horoscopes of strangers, provided you have appropriate training and supervision. When approaching your own horoscope, or those of your loved ones, you will inevitably colour the planetary picture before you with your own hopes and fears.

Three, the illuminating light which is gradually cast as your understanding of  the symbols in your chart grows, will be wonderfully helpful in shedding light on your gifts, pains, motivations and aspirations. But bear in mind that possessing astrological knowledge has a shadow side – for example, I have never known anyone including myself who didn’t look at upcoming transits, especially of Saturn and Pluto, without a certain amount of fear. To help my astrology students with this,  I used to point out that 99.9% of the human race from the beginning of time has managed to stagger through life without the aid of astrology! So – enjoy the fascination of  deciphering the astrological map of your life. But don’t get too precious about it – and be aware that this wonderful knowledge has a double edge….

What astrology books do you re-read or use the most?

The two astrologers who have most inspired and educated me have been Liz Greene and the late Charles Harvey, with both of whom I was fortunate to study – unofficially from the mid-1980s and formally between 1995 and 1998. As reference books for my interest in mundane astrology, my three favourites are: The outer planets and their Cycles by Liz Greene,  Anima Mundi – the astrology of the individual and the collective by Charles Harvey, and Mundane Astrology by Michael Baigent, Nicholas Campion and Charles Harvey.

My copy of Stephen Arroyo’s Astrology, Karma and Transformation , that wonderful in-depth companion on the ‘stormy journey of the soul’ is now so well-thumbed that it is starting to fall to bits – and when I feel like some outrageous, light-hearted, funny, but deadly accurate astrological analysis I turn to Debbi Kempton-Smith’s Secrets from a stargazer’s notebook.

Biog:

Anne Whitaker has been an astrologer since the 1983 Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in Sagittarius. She also has a long background in adult education, social work, counselling and supervision. Anne holds the Diploma from the Centre for Psychological Astrology where she studied with Liz Greene and Charles Harvey (1995-98 London, UK), an MA degree, and postgraduate diplomas in education and social work. Based in Glasgow in Scotland, she is now focusing on writing, and on running “Writing from the Twelfth House” which has just been included in the prestigious and prolific USA astrology blogger Jude Cowell’s Top 10 Astrology Blogs 2009.

(permission to re-publish this interview, first posted on 18 June 2009, has been given by The Know It All Astrologer)

900 words copyright Anne Whitaker 2009

Licensed under Creative Commons – for conditions see Home Page

Da professor Tore Pryser anklaget Kjartan Fløgstad for å låne hans stoff uten kreditering i romanen Grense Jakobselv, trakk flere norske medier raskt paralleller til Alnæs-saken. Men den riktige parallellen er jo selvsagt striden om Dan Browns Da Vinci-koden.

I 2004 interjvuet jeg Michael Baigent for Aftenposten. Han har skrevet boken Hellig blod, hellig gral sammen med Richard Leigh og Henry Lincoln, og deres kontroversielle teorier om Jesus og Maria Magdalena utgjør fundamentet i både Da Vinci-koden og Tom Egelands Sirkelens ende.

Forfatterne saksøkte Browns forlag for plagiat, men tapte til slutt i retten. Som i Alnæs-saken er det snakk om skjønnlitterære forfattere som låner fra historikere uten å kreditere, men det er akseptabel praksis. Karsten Alnæs lånte derimot fra andre historikere til sitt eget historiske verk uten å kreditere, og det er ikke akseptabelt. Hadde derimot Baigent og hans medforfattere skrevet Hellig blod, hellig gral som en roman hadde de utvilsomt hatt grunnlag for å saksøke Brown for plagiat. Skjønnlitterære historier kan plagieres, men ingen kan ta copyright på Historien.

Her er uansett mitt intervju med Baigent, som er interessant i disse dager. Selv om de tapte plagiatsaken, fikk deres bok fornyet interesse og godt salg som følge av Da Vinci-koden. Her har også Tore Pryser og Universitetsforlaget gode muligheter for å selge noen ekstra eksemplarer av Fra varm til kald krig (1994) og i Hitlers hemmelige agenter (2001).
_________________________

MICHAEL BAIGENT, FOTO: ANDREWCOLLINS.COM

Dan Brown har begått plagiat med Da Vinci-koden, mener forfatterne av boken Hellig blod, hellig gral. Etter 22 år kommer boken endelig på norsk – på Browns norske forlag.

Er du én av de 12 millioner som har kjøpt romanen Da Vinci-koden? Er du også en av de tusener som har lest Tom Egelands Sirkelens ende? Da har du sikkert lagt merke til likhetene, og det er ikke tilfeldig. Begge tar nemlig utgangspunkt i dokumentarboken Hellig blod, hellig gral av Michael Baigent , Richard Leigh og Henry Lincoln. Nå kommer den på norsk, samtidig som forfatterne saksøker Browns forlag Random House.

- Jeg leste Da Vinci-koden da den kom ut, men hverken kan eller vil si noe om den. Vi mener dette handler om tyveri av intellektuell eiendom. Vi ga en mulighet til forlik, men det ble avvist – nå går det mot rettssak i London. Men jeg vet ikke hva som skjer videre eller når. Dette er i rettens hender nå, sier Baigent.

Alnæs-saken blir smårips i forhold. Da Vinci-koden er oversatt til 42 språk, og skal ha tjent inn 1,6 milliarder kroner på verdensbasis. Lincoln, den tredje forfatteren, tar ikke del i søksmålet på grunn av dårlig helse.

DAN BROWN
Frem i lyset
Bazar forlag – som skuffer inn penger på den norske utgaven av Da Vinci-koden - gir også ut Hellig blod, hellig gral.

- Vi har vært 23 uker på bestselgerlistene i år med en 22 år gammel bok. Det hele er veldig ironisk, men det beste er at saken kommer frem i lyset igjen. I boken tar vi opp alvorlige spørsmål som oppfordrer til alvorlig tenkning og alvorlige svar.

Problemet til forfatterne er ikke at Brown bruker informasjon han har funnet i boken deres, men at han ikke sier hvor han har funnet den. Boken står hverken på noen takke- eller litteraturliste, men dukker opp i selve historien da historikeren Leigh Teabing plukker den fra bokhyllen sin i en scene. Leigh Teabing-navnet er også et anagram av Leigh og Baigent, i tillegg til at han er avhengig av krykker – slik som Lincoln.

Mange likheter
- Det var veldig snilt av ham, var det ikke? smiler Baigent.

Baigent beskriver Hellig blod, hellig gral som en sammenhengende hyptotese, der forfatterne blant annet hevder at Jesus ikke døde på korset – men giftet seg med Maria Magdalena.

Ikke nok med det, de hevder også at den hemmelige og ukjente Sion-ordenen (senere Prieuré de Sion, Sions kloster) ble stiftet for å beskytte Jesu etterkommere. Sion-ordenen skal ha stått bak opprettelsen av Tempelridderne, mens Leonardo da Vinci var en av mange kjente stormestere innen ordenen opp gjennom årene.

- Jeg vet ikke hva Prieuré de Sion er i dag, eller hvem de er og hva de gjør. Men de har eksistert, og de ble nødt til å bygge seg opp igjen etter den franske revolusjonen.

Dan Brown innleder Da Vinci-koden med å fastslå at Prieuré de Sion eksisterer, men viser til «Les Dossiers Secrets» i det franske nasjonalbiblioteket som kilde.

I første kapittel av Da Vinci-koden myrdes kuratoren Jacques Saunière i Louvre-museet. Hellig blod, hellig gral innledes med at den franske presten Bérenger Saunière dør under mystiske omstendigheter. Baigent mener at Brown ikke bare har tatt enkelte ideer fra deres bok, men har løftet hele «arkitekturen» fra boken og konstruert sin egen thriller rundt den.

Undersak: – Kirken har manipulert bildet av Jesus
Hellig blod, hellig gral skapte sensasjon og hissig debatt da den ble utgitt i 1982. Michael Baigent mener problemstillingene den reiser bare er blitt viktigere i dag.

Under arbeidet med boken innså forfatterne hvordan religiøse ledere siden 200-tallet har manipulert og formet vårt bilde av Jesus. Derfor prøvde de å finne ut mer om den historiske Jesus.

- Da Det nye testamente ble satt sammen rundt år 400, fjernet man blant annet bøker som handlet om forholdet mellom Jesus og hans kvinnelige disipler – især Maria Magdalena. Kirken skapte en Jesus som var svært annerledes fra historiens Jesus – som trolig var gift og hadde egne barn, hevder Baigent i boken.

Da boken kom ut, gikk den kalde krigen mot slutten, men i dag er religion igjen en viktig del av de politiske skillelinjene – enten vi snakker om USA eller Midtøsten.

- Ronald Reagan brukte mye kristen mytologi i sin politikk, og snakket om armageddon og Jesu tilbakekomst.

George W. Bush gjør mye av det samme, og det bekymrer meg at flere politiske beslutninger blir tatt på grunnlag av religiøse forventninger. Da er det viktig å reise spørsmål om disse religiøse «sannhetene».

Populærkulturen er også invadert av religiøse konflikter. På den ene siden har vi Da Vinci-koden, men i andre enden av skalaen finner vi Mel Gibsons The Passion of the Christ.

- Den var ren voldspornografi. Du må være gal for å lage en slik film, og det kan du sitere meg på. Suksessen til filmen skremmer meg. Ikke bare det at folk liker den, men at de tror det er sant. Mange av disse har også politisk makt, og jeg tror vi lever i farlige tider der både politikerne og kirken svikter oss.

Hellig blod, hellig gral
* Skrevet av BBC-produsenten Henry Lincoln, litteraturviteren Richard Leigh og symbolikkeksperten Michael Baigent etter seks års research.
* Veldig kort fortalt lanserer boken en hypotese om at Jesus giftet seg med Maria Magdalena, og at hun flyktet til Frankrike med Jesu etterkommere. Denne blodrekken er blitt beskyttet av den mystiske ordenen Prieuré de Sion fra 1000-tallet.
* Solgt rundt to millioner eksemplarer siden utgivelsen i 1982, oversatt til 24 språk.
* Etter 22 år gis den ut i Norge. Per Holter-Andersen oversatte den av egen interesse for 12 år siden.
* Teoriene er brukt i Dan Browns Da Vinci-koden, og møter igjen ny motstand fra flere hold. Boken The Da Vinci Hoax er også blitt en bestselger.

This interview was done as a promotion for “Jupiter meets Uranus” by Wendy, of the excellent The Know It All Astrologer blog, and will be appearing on Writing from the Twelfth House soon. I thought it might be fun to run it here on this brand new site, just as a test piece!

**********************

Interview between The Know It All Astrologer and Scottish astrologer Anne Whitaker

18th June 2009
*********
What transit always shows up for you in surprising ways?

They all do, especially the long-lasting ones. The deep challenges that force our growth lurk in the realms of the unconscious, just waiting to hitch a ride on the nearest really tough transit. For example, I didn’t think that ten years of Neptune transits was going to involve an enforced descent into the Underworld for most of that period! However, the good news is that I have now emerged, much improved (unless you ask my husband….!) with enough notes to keep me writing for a further ten years.

What is your funniest transit or retrograde experience?

There are several, not all of which can be aired publicly! The one which comes immediately to mind is the occasion, in March 1985, when Saturn turned retrograde on my 28 Scorpio IC. In the middle of lunch with an old friend who at that time was a bank manager, without warning, I passed out. Just then, a friend of his, who was also a bank manager, was passing by the restaurant window. I came round and insisted on going home – very groggily, with a bank manager holding me up by each arm. Very Saturn in Scorpio, don’t you think?!

Would you rather be ruled by Uranus or Jupiter? Why?

What a question! Both those planets are strong in my horoscope, Uranus in the tenth house leading an eastern bowl shape, with Jupiter in the third closing the bowl, and the two in bi-quintile aspect. My Ascendant is also on the Jupiter/Uranus midpoint. However, if forced to choose I would go for Jupiter, provided the aspects weren’t too difficult. My reasons are probably dictated by the stage I’ve got to in life: that disruptive, eccentric, unpredictable, stubborn individualism characteristic of a Uranus-ruled life feels too tiring to contemplate now!

Jupiter’s boundless energy and optimism, ability to inspire others and be inspired by the more positive dimensions of  life, and willingness to be open to a sense of meaningful connectedness to that which is greater than oneself, are especially attractive to me at this point.

What advice would you give to someone learning how to read their own chart?

One, there are dozens of ways of evading personal responsibility – resolve at the outset never to do so by blaming your horoscope or your transits for your difficulties in life.

Two, realise that objectivity is something to be aspired to, which can never be achieved by mere human beings. This being the case, try to recognise that you can be most objective and therefore most helpful by reading the horoscopes of strangers, provided you have appropriate training and supervision. When approaching your own horoscope, or those of your loved ones, you will inevitably colour the planetary picture before you with your own hopes and fears.

Three, the illuminating light which is gradually cast as your understanding of  the symbols in your chart grows, will be wonderfully helpful in shedding light on your gifts, pains, motivations and aspirations. But bear in mind that possessing astrological knowledge has a shadow side – for example, I have never known anyone including myself who didn’t look at upcoming transits, especially of Saturn and Pluto, without a certain amount of fear. To help my astrology students with this,  I used to point out that 99.9% of the human race from the beginning of time has managed to stagger through life without the aid of astrology! So – enjoy the fascination of  deciphering the astrological map of your life. But don’t get too precious about it – and be aware that this wonderful knowledge has a double edge….

What astrology books do you re-read or use the most?

The two astrologers who have most inspired and educated me have been Liz Greene and the late Charles Harvey, with both of whom I was fortunate to study – unofficially from the mid-1980s and formally between 1995 and 1998. As reference books for my interest in mundane astrology, my three favourites are: The outer planets and their Cycles by Liz Greene,  Anima Mundi – the astrology of the individual and the collective by Charles Harvey, and Mundane Astrology by Michael Baigent, Nicholas Campion and Charles Harvey. My copy of Stephen Arroyo’s Astrology, Karma and Transformation , that wonderful in-depth companion on the ‘stormy journey of the soul’ is now so well-thumbed that it is starting to fall to bits – and when I feel like some outrageous, light-hearted, funny, but deadly accurate astrological analysis I turn to Debbi Kempton-Smith’s Secrets from a stargazer’s notebook.

Biog:

Anne Whitaker has been an astrologer since the 1983 Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in Sagittarius. She also has a long background in adult education, social work, counselling and supervision. Anne holds the Diploma from the Centre for Psychological Astrology where she studied with Liz Greene and Charles Harvey (1995-98 London, UK), an MA degree, and postgraduate diplomas in education and social work. Based in Glasgow in Scotland, she is now focusing on writing, and on running her popular website for writers and readers :   “Writing from the Twelfth House” which has just been included in the prestigious and prolific USA astrology blogger Jude Cowell’s Top 10 Astrology Blogs for 2009.

900 words copyright Anne Whitaker 2009

Licensed under Creative Commons – for conditions see Home Page

The popularity of books about the so-called Da Vinci Code show the attraction of conspiracy theories.

Holy Blood, Holy Grail By Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln
Reviewed by Laura Miller, New York Times

The ever-rising tide of sales of The Da Vinci Code has lifted some pretty odd boats, none odder than the dodgy yet magisterial Holy Blood, Holy Grail, by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln.

A best seller in the 1980s, “Grail” is climbing the paperback charts again on the strength of its relationship to Dan Brown’s thriller (which has, in turn, inspired a crop of new nonfiction books coming out this year, from Breaking the Da Vinci Code to Secrets of the Code: The Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries Behind The Da Vinci Code).

The Da Vinci Code is one long chase scene in which the main characters flee a sinister Parisian policeman and an albino monk assassin, but its rudimentary suspense alone couldn’t have made it a hit.

The book emits pellets of information concerning a centuries-old conspiracy that purports to have preserved a tremendous secret about the roots of Christianity.

This “nonfiction” material gives The Da Vinci Code its frisson of authenticity, and is lifted from Holy Blood, Holy Grail, one of the all-time great works of pop pseudohistory. But what seems increasingly clear is that The Da Vinci Code, like Holy Blood, Holy Grail, is based on a notorious hoax.

Both narratives begin with a mystery that leads sleuths to vaster and more sinister intrigues. In Brown’s novel, it’s the murder of a curator at the Louvre; in “Grail”, it’s the unusual affluence of a priest in a village in the south of France.

In the late 1960s, Henry Lincoln, a British TV writer, became interested in Rennes-le-Chateau, a town that had become the French equivalent of Roswell or Loch Ness as a result of popular books by Gerard de Sede.

De Sede promulgated a story about parchments supposedly found in a hollowed-out pillar by the town priest in the 1890s, parchments containing coded messages that the priest parlayed into oodles of cash.

Lincoln worked on several documentaries then enlisted Baigent and Leigh for a more in-depth investigation.

What eventually emerges from the welter of names, dates, maps and genealogical tables crammed into Holy Blood, Holy Grail is a yarn about a secret and hugely influential society called the Priory of Sion, founded in Jerusalem in 1099.

This cabal is said to have guarded documents and other proof that Mary Magdalene was the wife of Jesus (who may or may not have died on the Cross) and that she carried his child with her when she fled to what is now France after the Crucifixion, becoming figuratively, the Holy Grail in whom Jesus’ blood was preserved.

Their progeny intermarried with the locals, eventually founding the Merovingian dynasty of Frankish monarchs.

Although deposed in the eighth century, the Merovingian lineage has not been lost; the Priory has kept watch over its descendants, awaiting an auspicious moment when it will reveal the astonishing truth and return the rightful monarch to the throne of France, or perhaps even a restored Holy Roman Empire.

All the usual suspects and accoutrements of paranoid history get caught up in this 1000-year jaunt: the Cathar heretics, the Knights Templar, the Rosicrucians, the Vatican, the Freemasons, Nazis, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the Order of the Golden Dawn – everyone but the Abominable Snowman seems to be here.

Holy Blood, Holy Grail is a masterpiece of insinuation and supposition, employing all the techniques of pseudo-history to symphonic effect, justifying this sleight of hand as an innovative scholarly technique called “synthesis”, previously considered too “speculative” by those whose thinking has been unduly shaped by the “so-called Enlightenment of the 18th century”.

Comparing themselves to the reporters who uncovered Watergate, the authors maintain that “only by such synthesis can one discern the underlying continuity, the unified and coherent fabric, which lies at the core of any historical problem”.

To do so, one must realise that “it is not sufficient to confine oneself exclusively to facts”.

Thus liberated, Lincoln et al concoct an argument that is not so much factual as fact-ish. Dozens of credible details are heaped up in order to provide a legitimising cushion for rank nonsense.

Unremarkable legends (that Merovingian kings were thought to have a healing touch, for example) are characterised as suggestive clues or puzzles demanding solution.

Highly contested interpretations (that, say, an early Grail romance depicts the sacred object as being guarded by Templars) are presented as established truth.

Sources – such as the New Testament – are qualified as “questionable” and derivative when they contradict the conspiracy theory, then microscopically scrutinised for inconsistencies that might support it.

The authors spin one gossamer strand of conjecture over another, forming a web dense enough to create the illusion of solidity. Though bogus, it’s impressive.

Finally, the legitimacy of the Priory of Sion history rests on a cache of clippings and pseudonymous documents that even the authors of Holy Blood, Holy Grail suggest were planted in the Bibliotheque Nationale by a man named Pierre Plantard.

In the 1970s, one of Plantard’s confederates admitted to helping him fabricate the materials, including genealogical tables portraying Plantard as a descendant of the Merovingians (and, presumably, of Jesus Christ) and a list of the Priory’s past “grand masters”.

This patently silly catalogue of intellectual celebrities stars Botticelli, Isaac Newton, Jean Cocteau and, of course, Leonardo da Vinci – it’s the same list Dan Brown trumpets, along with the alleged nine-century pedigree of the Priory, in the front matter for The Da Vinci Code, under the heading of “Fact”.

Plantard, it came out, was an inveterate rascal with a criminal record for fraud and affiliations with wartime anti-Semitic and right-wing groups. The actual Priory of Sion was a tiny, harmless group of like-minded friends formed in 1956.

Plantard’s hoax was debunked by a series of (as yet untranslated) French books and a 1996 BBC documentary, but curiously enough this set of shocking revelations hasn’t proved as popular as the fantasia of Holy Blood, Holy Grail, or, for that matter, as The Da Vinci Code.

The only thing more powerful than a worldwide conspiracy, it seems, is our desire to believe in one.

Uma obra controversa baseada em provas reveladoras, que ameaçam todo o conhecimento comum sobre a vida e a morte de Jesus, abalando os fundamentos do pensamento ocidental.

Jesus von Nazareth war nicht Gottes Sohn.

Sehr wahrscheinlich wurde Jesus nicht am Kreuz zu Tode gefoltert sondern lebte weiter und gründete eine Familie. Er war mit Maria Magdalena verheiratet, seine Nachkommen bildeten eine dynastische Linie, die bis in die Gegenwart reicht.

Die römische Kirche hat ein berechtigtes Interesse daran, diese Tatsachen geheim zu halten. Seit dem 4. Jahrhundert wird die Wahrheit über den Nazarener aus Gründen des Machterhaltes unterdrückt. Eingängige Dokumente* wurden im Laufe der Zeit vernichtet oder in die Geheimarchive des Vatikans verbannt. Der Grund: Die Kirche lebte und lebt von Mysterien rund um Jesus.

Es sind die Lichtgestalten, ohne die “Kirche”  nie funktionieren konnte und besonders heute nicht mehr funktionieren könnte. Nicht umsonst werden immer wieder stigmatisierte Personen aus dem Hut gezaubert oder angebliche Wunder konstruiert (Medjugorje) um die Gläubigen -wie gehabt- an der Realität vorbei zu jonglieren. Selig- und Heiligsprechungen finden in schöner Regelmäßigkeit statt, die dem Realisten eher ein müdes Grinsen abringen, denn Respekt.  Während sich die Kirchen früherer Zeit noch ehrwürdig um Reliquien rauften -sie müssen ausgegangen sein oder zu Staub zerfallen-, erfindet man eben neue Lichtgestalten: Papst Johannes Paul II erteilte dem chilenischen Diktator und MassenmörderPinochet den Bruderkuss, Mutter Theresa “half” den Armen Indiens auf ihre Weise.

Nun denn: In seinem Buch “Die Gottesmacher” behauptet Michael Baigent, Jesus sei ein Visionär gewesen, der den Menschen das himmlische Königreich vorstellte. Die Kreuzigung sei lediglich eine geschickte Täuschung gewesen, um sowohl Juden, als auch Römer zufriedenzustellen.

In seinem Sachbuch über die Frühzeit des Christentums, über “Die Wahrheit über Jesus von Nazareth und das geheime Erbe der Kirche” (Untertitel von “Die Gottes-Macher”), versucht er nachzuweisen, dass das, was heute in der Bibel steht, nur ein Ausschnitt der Wahrheit ist.

Päpste und machtbesessene Bischöfe der jungen Kirche, so belegt er mit guten Argumenten, hatten nur die Evangelien ins offizielle “Neue Testament” aufgenommen, was ihren Herrschaftsanspruch bestätigte. Inzwischen entdeckte Schriften wie etwa das im April 2006 veröffentlichte “Evangelium des Judas” verdammten sie als häretisch.

Michael Baigent, geboren 1948 in Neuseeland, studierte Psychologie an der Canterbury University, Christchurch und belegte an der englischen University of Kent Kurse in Mystik und zur Erforschung von Religionserfahrungen. Nach Beendigung seiner Promotion über den magischen Symbolismus in der Renaissance wandte er sich der Geschichte des Templerordens sowie dem Einfluss von Astrologie und Esoterik auf die Politik zu. Er ist Autor mehrerer Sachbücher und von Dokumentarfilmen.

Seine Werke:

.  

*Die Thesen Michael Baigents aus den Büchern ”Der heilige Gral und seine Erben”, das die moderne Sage um die kleine Kirche in Rennes-le-Château für ein Massenpublikum verbreitete werden laut Wikipedia von der seriösen Geschichtswissenschaft abgelehnt. Abgelehnt bedeutet jedoch nicht “widerlegt”.

Apariţia romanului speculativ al lui Dan Brown a iscat controverse furtunoase. Vaticanul a fost cea mai vehementă voce. A îndemnat la boicotarea cărţii. Fără succes. Efectul a fost contrar: i-a făcut publicitate. Dan Brown a devenit vedetă. Banii proveniţi din încasarea drepturilor de autor l-au făcut un om bogat. Gravitatea şi atenţia excesivă arătate romanului s-au întos împotriva Bisericii. Lumea ortodoxă nu s-a lăsat mai prejos. Astfel, Bisericile creştine au dovedit că nu ştiu să stabilească limita dintre literatură şi ştiinţă şi şi-au produs singure deservicii.

Cartea lui Dan Brown nu se pretinde un studiu ştiinţific. Este o simplă ficţiune. Cu personaje celebre. Mitologia, obscurul, ocultul şi misterul au fost dintotdeauna cele mai căutate mărfuri. Campania de denigrare a “Codului lui da Vinci” i-a făcut pe mulţi să se întrebe: “De ce depune Biserica atâtea eforturi pentru a combate un roman? Oare nu fiindcă dezvăluie adevăruri interzise?”

Poate cu intenţii ascunse, Dan Brown a atacat o organizaţie asupra căreia planează mari semne de întrebare: Opus Dei. Brusc, organizaţia a decis să-şi deschidă porţile şi să comande articole şi documentare favorabile despre activitatea sa. Nu a reuşit să convingă. Din contră, a alimentat echivocul. Şi a focalizat atenţia asupra surselor oculte de finanţare, redeschizând cazul Băncii Ambrosiano.

Intrat în semi-anonimat, Michael Baigent a deschis acţiune juridică împotriva lui Brown, acuzându-l de plagiat. O nouă confuzie între literatură şi cercetarea istorică. Deşi a folosit metode îndoielnice, Baigent a pretins încă de la apariţia bestseller-ului Holy Blood, Holy Grail că este un studiu. Dan Brown nu a pretins că este altceva decât autor de ficţiune. Chiar dacă documentarea sa a inclus documentele falsificate de Plantard şi unele evanghelii descoperite la Nag Hammadi.

După 3 ani de procese şi apeluri, Michael Baigent a fost condamnat la plata despăgubirilor şi a cheltuielilor de judecată totalizând 3 milioane de lire sterline. Ca efect al proceselor răsunătoare, cărţile lui Michael Baigent au fost reeditate şi vânzările s-au sitat la cote înalte. Ambii autori au profitat de popularitatea şi intensa mediatizare prilejuite de procese ca să augmenteze vânzările propriilor cărţi.

Câţiva istorici, cei mai mulţi amatori, s-au grăbit să preia ideea Prioriei din Sion şi să considere autentice documentele falsificate ale lui Plantard. Şarlatania a funcţionat până când Michael Baigent, un psiholog şi istoric amator s-a grăbit cu unele concluzii. Unele eronate, nesusţinute, altele verosimile, însă pornind de la premise false. Pe care le-a publicat, împreună cu doi colaboratori: Richard Leigh şi Henry Lincoln.

Principalele teze ale lucrării “The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail” (rebotezată ulterior “Holy Blood, Holy Grail“):

1. Maria Magdalena a fost soţia lui Iisus (teză tot mai larg acceptată şi bine argumentată);

2. Conflictele dintre Maria Magdalena şi Petru Simon, precum şi prigonirea adepţilor lui Christ de către autorităţile romane după crucificare au dus la fuga soţiei lui Iisus în sudul Franţei; ea ar fi fost însoţită de Sara, fructul căsătoriei dintre Iisus şi Maria din Magdala (teză lipsită de orice probe; există doar o firavă tradiţie orală);

3. Sfântul Graal (versiunile sunt puţin diferite: legenda cupei din care a băut Iisus la Cina de Taină sau în care a fost adunat sângele scurs pe cruce din rănile lui Christ) este o traducere greşită a expresiei “Sang Real” – Sânge Regal (teză verificată, a fost găsit manuscrisul unui cărturar de acum 1000 de ani, când a fost inventată legenda Graalului);

4. Dinastia Merovingienilor a fost întemeiată de Pharamond, descendent al lui Iisus (teză nesusţinută: nu există documente, mai mult se creează un gol de peste 400 de ani între crucificare şi înscăunarea primului rege merovingian);

5. Urmaşii lui Iisus trăiesc printre noi şi sunt protejaţi de Prioria din Sion. Dezvăluirea adevăratei lor identităţi ar demola 2000 de ani de credinţă creştină şi le-ar pune în pericol vieţile (teză bizară în prima parte, întrucât Prioria nu există decât din 1956; a doua parte ar fi veridică dacă am accepta prima parte);

6. Pierre Plantard este urmaş al Merovingienilor, în consecinţă şi al lui Iisus (teză care întrece limitele celei mai bolnave fantezii);

Speriat de consecinţele ultimei concluzii, Pierre Plantard şi-a recunoscut înşelăciunea. La început a fost o glumă, spune el. Văzând că este luat în serios, s-a gândit că poate obţine bani frumoşi fără mult efort. A falsificat documentele şi a plăsmuit povestea Prioriei din Sion. În 1981, cu 1 an înainte de apariţia cărţii “The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail“, Plantard i-a anunţat pe autori că totul este un fals şi va dezvălui escrocheria. Autorii, care luaseră deja un avans fabulos de la editor, au refuzat să ia în considerare avertismentele celui care le furnizase materia primă pentru carte. Şi a fost un succes colosal: doar în prima zi s-au vândut 43000 de exemplare în Marea Britanie, unde a fost tipărită.

Confruntat cu mărturisirea lui Plantard, Michael Baigent a refuzat să renege ideile cărţii şi a continuat să le susţină. A replicat printr-un argument ridicol: “E imposibil. Documentele nu sunt false. Le-am analizat timp de 6 ani.” Nu a adus confirmări de la laboratoare pentru datarea cu C14 şi nici autentificări ale forurilor academice.

Pierre Plantard a negat tot timpul filiaţia sa christică, însă a continuat să susţină până la moartea sa (2000) că este urmaşul de drept al tronului Franţei în virtutea sângelui său merovingian.

Ideea s-a dovedit profitabilă. Cititorii au început să creadă povestea Prioriei din Sion. Dan Brown, un obscur autor american, a preluat-o, a îmbunătăţit-o şi a scos un roman mediocru, prost scris, rău argumentat şi eludând flagrant dovezile care contrazic aserţiunile sale. Partea pozitivă este redeschiderea cercetărilor asupra Mariei din Magdala (Magdalena), certificarea căsătoriei cu Iisus şi dezbrăcarea organizaţiei tentaculare Opus Dei de faldurile sale strălucitoare.

Michael Baigent, Henry Lincoln, and Richard Leigh, authors of The Messianic Legacy, spent over 10 years on their own kind of quest for the Holy Grail, into the secretive history of early France. What they found, researched with the tenacity and attention to detail that befits any great quest, is a tangled and intricate story of politics and faith that reads like a mystery novel. It is the story of the Knights Templar, and a behind-the-scenes society called the Prieure de Sion, and its involvement in reinstating descendants of the Merovingian bloodline into political power. Why? The authors of Holy Blood, Holy Grail assert that their explorations into early history ultimately reveal that Jesus may not have died on the cross, but lived to marry and father children whose bloodline continues today. The authors’ point here is not to compromise or to demean Jesus, but to offer another, more complete perspective of Jesus as God’s incarnation in man. The power of this secret, which has been carefully guarded for hundreds of years, has sparked much controversy. For all the sensationalism and hoopla surrounding Holy Blood, Holy Grail and the alternate history that it outlines, the authors are careful to keep their perspective and sense of skepticism alive in its pages, explaining carefully and clearly how they came to draw such combustible conclusions. –Jodie Buller

Is the traditional, accepted view of the life of Christ in some way incomplete? * Is it possible Christ did not die on the cross? * Is it possible Jesus was married, a father, and that his bloodline still exists? * Is it possible that parchments found in the South of France a century ago reveal one of the best-kept secrets of Christendom? * Is it possible that these parchments contain the very heart of the mystery of the Holy Grail?

According to the authors of this extraordinarily provocative, meticulously researched book, not only are these things possible–they are probably true! So revolutionary, so original, so convincing, that the most faithful Christians will be moved; here is the book that has sparked worldwide controversey.

“Enough to seriously challenge many traditional Christian beliefs, if not alter them.”–Los Angeles Times Book Review

“Like Chariots of the Gods?…the plot has all the elements of an international thriller.”–Newsweek

Order Holy Blood, Holy Grail from Amazon for $6.39

Other Kindle Books of Interest
The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ
Jesus Papers, The
The Gnostic Gospels
Angels & Demons
Deception Point

ലോകത്തിലെ ആദ്യത്തെ സോഷ്യലിസ്റ്റ്‌ രാജാവായിരുന്ന മഹാബലിയെ ഇന്ദ്രനുവേണ്ടി കരിങ്കാലിപ്പണിചെയ്ത വാമനന്‍ പാതാളത്തിലേയ്ക്‌ ചവുട്ടിതാഴ്ത്തി എന്ന് ഐതിഹ്യം. ഓണത്തിന്റെ ഓര്‍മ്മകളോടൊപ്പം അന്നുതൊട്ട്‌ പാതാളലോകവും നമ്മളോടൊപ്പമുണ്ട്‌.
പിന്നെ, സ്കന്ദപുരാണത്തില്‍ പാതാളവുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടൊരു കഥയുണ്ട്‌. അയോദ്ധ്യ ഭരിച്ചിരുന്ന ഋതുപര്‍ണ്ണന്‍ എന്ന രാജാവ്‌ നാഗരാജാവിന്റെ സഹായത്തോടെ പാതാളലോകത്ത്‌ എത്തിച്ചേര്‍ന്നെന്നും അവിടെ മുപ്പത്തിമൂന്ന് കോടി ദേവിദേവന്മാരെ കണ്ടുവെന്നും കഥ. ഇവിടെ പറയുന്ന പാതാളലോകം ‘പാതാള്‍ഭുവനേശ്വര്‍’ എന്ന ഉത്തരാഞ്ചലിലെ ഗുഹയാണെന്നാണു വിശ്വാസം. ഋതുപര്‍ണ്ണന്റെ സന്ദര്‍ശനത്തിനു ശേഷം ഈ ഗുഹ എന്നേയ്ക്കുമായി അടഞ്ഞുവെന്നും പിന്നീട്‌ ശ്രീശങ്കരാചാര്യരാണു വീണ്ടും ഈ ഗുഹ കണ്ടെത്തിയതെന്നും പുരാണം! പാതാളലോകത്തെപറ്റി ഗൌരവമായി വായിച്ച്‌ തുടങ്ങിയത്‌ എം.കെ. രാമചന്ദ്രന്‍ പാതാള്‍ഭുവനേശ്വര്‍ സന്ദര്‍ശനത്തെപറ്റി ഭാഷാപോഷിണിയില്‍ (ആഗസ്ത്‌ 2006) എഴുതിയത്‌ വായിച്ചപ്പോഴാണു. അപ്പോഴാണു പാതാളലോകം വെറുമൊരു പുരാണസങ്കല്‍പ്പമല്ലെന്ന് മനസ്സിലായത്‌.
മിഷേല്‍ ബേയ്ക്കന്റെ The Jesus Papers‌ എന്ന പുസ്തകത്തില്‍ അദ്ദേഹം ഇറ്റലിയില്‍ നേപ്പിള്‍സ്‌ ഉള്‍ക്കടലിന്റെ വടക്കുപടിഞ്ഞാറുഭാഗത്തുള്ള ബഇയ എന്ന സ്ഥലത്തുള്ള ഒരു തുരങ്കത്തില്‍ സാഹസികമായി പ്രവേശിച്ചതിനെപ്പറ്റി വിവരിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്‌. ഈ തുരങ്കം 2600 വര്‍ഷങ്ങള്‍ക്കുമുമ്പ്‌ നിമ്മിച്ചതാകാം എന്ന് പറയപ്പെടുന്നു. പാതാളലോകത്തിലെ രഹസ്യങ്ങളുമായി അടുത്തറിയുന്നതിനുള്ള ആചാരനുഷ്ടാനങ്ങള്‍ക്കാണു ഈ സങ്കേതം ഉപയോഗിച്ചിരുന്നത്‌ എന്നാണു ഊഹം. ചില അജ്ഞാത കാരണങ്ങളാല്‍ സീസറിന്റെ കാലഘട്ടത്തില്‍ അടയ്ക്കപ്പെട്ട ഈെ തുരങ്കം രണ്ടായിരം വര്‍ഷങ്ങള്‍ക്കുശേഷം 1962 ലാണു വീണ്ടും കണ്ടെത്തിയത്‌.
മേഘാലയത്തിലെ ജെയിന്‍-തിയാ കുന്നുകളില്‍ കണ്ടെത്തിയിട്ടുള്ള പ്രകൃതിനിര്‍മ്മിതമായ ഗുഹകള്‍ ഭൂവിജ്ഞാന മേഖലയിലെ നിരവധി രഹസ്യങ്ങളുടെ കലവറയാണെന്ന് പറയപ്പെടുന്നു. സൂര്യപ്രകാശം കടന്നുചെല്ലാത്ത ഈ ഗുഹകളില്‍ അരുവികളും പുഴകളും വെള്ളച്ചാട്ടങ്ങളുമുണ്ടെന്ന് കേള്‍ക്കുമ്പോള്‍ അത്ഭുതം തോന്നും. മേഘാലയത്തില്‍ മത്രമായി ആയിരത്തില്‍ കൂടുതല്‍ ഗുഹകള്‍ കണ്ടെത്തിയിട്ടുണ്ട്‌. ജൈവവൈവിധ്യത്താല്‍ സമൃദ്ധമായ ഈ ഗുഹകളില്‍ പല വിധത്തിലുള്ള ജീവികള്‍ സുഖമായി കഴിയുകയാണു. പിഞ്ഞാണത്തിന്റെ വലിപ്പമുള്ള എട്ടുകാലി, പഴുതാര, തേരട്ട, അരണ, ഞണ്ട്‌, ചെമ്മീന്‍, അല്‍ബിനോ മത്സ്യം, വവ്വാല്‍, ഇവയെല്ലാം അധികം മനുഷ്യശല്യമില്ലാതെ ഇതുവരെ കഴിഞ്ഞ്‌ കൂടി. കണ്ണുകളില്ലാത്ത ഈ ജീവികള്‍ ആന്റനകളുടെ സഹായത്തോടെയാണു സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്നത്‌.
മേഘാലയത്തില്‍ നടക്കുന്ന വ്യാപകമായ കല്‍ക്കരി ഖനനങ്ങള്‍ മൂലം പല ഗുഹകളും നശിച്ചികൊണ്ടിരിയ്ക്ക്ക്കുകയാണു. ഈ പ്രദേശത്ത്‌ മാത്രമായി നാല്‍പത്‌ ദശലക്ഷം ടണ്ണിന്റെ കല്‍ക്കരി ശേഖരമുണ്ടെന്ന് പറയപ്പെടുന്നു. അപ്പോള്‍ പിന്നെ നമ്മള്‍ ഈ പ്രദേശത്തെ വെറുതെ വിടുന്ന പ്രശ്നമുണ്ടോ? മുപ്പത്‌ കിലോമീറ്റര്‍ നീളമുള്ള, ഇന്ത്യയിലെ ഏറ്റവും നീളം കൂടിയ ഈ ഗുഹാനിരകള്‍ ഖനങ്ങള്‍ മൂലം ഭീഷണി നേരിടുകയാണു.
പാതാളലോകത്തെക്കുറിച്ച്‌ അറിയുമ്പോള്‍ നമ്മുടെ അത്ഭുതം കൂടുകയാണു. നമ്മള്‍ പുരാണങ്ങളില്‍ കേട്ടിട്ടുള്ള പാതാളലോകം യതാര്‍ഥത്തില്‍ നിലനിന്നിരുന്നുവോ? ശ്രീ രാമചന്ദ്രന്റെ അഭിപ്രയത്തില്‍ ‘ഭൂമിയ്ക്കടിയിലെവിടെയോ ഒരു ലോകം ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നുവെന്നും ഭൂചലനത്തിലോ വിഘടനത്തിലോപ്പെട്ട്‌ അതെല്ലാം നാമാവശേഷമായിരിക്കാമെന്നും കരുതുന്നതില്‍ തെറ്റില്ല എന്ന് തോന്നുന്നു’.
നമ്മള്‍ അറിയാത്ത എന്തെല്ലാം രഹസ്യങ്ങള്‍ ഇനിയും ഭൂമിയ്ക്കടിയില്‍ ഒളിച്ചിരിപ്പുണ്ടാകാം? അനുയോജ്യമായ നിമിഷങ്ങള്‍ക്ക്‌ വേണ്ടി ഈ രഹസ്യങ്ങള്‍ നമ്മളെ പ്രതീക്ഷിച്ചിരിയ്ക്കുകയാണോ?

The Temple and the Lodge by Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh

This was touted as a great introductory novel about Freemasonry and the Templars.  But so much of the book references other texts that the authors have assumed you already read.  It’s not accessible, or written in a particularly appealling way.  It reads like a bad history lesson from an introductory class lecture the professor has been teaching for over twenty years. 

I didn’t know much about the Freemasons or the Templars.  It gave me a good insight into some of what happened, but it presumed that I knew all about the Crusades and European History.  Which I don’t.  I am the product of an American public high school education. 

The only parts that I came away with of any intrigue or import were about how Freemasonry was key in shaping the founding of the United States.  The section on the Revolutionary War is brilliant.   Essentially, none of the British wanted to fight the war, so the generals pretty much dogged it so that the Americans could run away and reconnoiter.  At any time, they basically had the manpower and knowledge to take out Washington’s troops.  But they didn’t want to, because they were all Freemason brothers.  In fact, the British sabotaged one of their own generals, a gung-ho asshole who thought he could take out the foreign devils, at the Battle of Saratoga.  I love any American history lessons that totally blow out any of the patriotism and jingoism that’s beaten into us at our early ages. 

I know, I’m a damn dirty hippie.  At least the Holy Blood, Holy Grail work they wrote about the Grail templars is much more accessible.  This was just dry and unappealing.  Avoid it.