[FoRK] "Where do beliefs come from daddy?"

[Tom Higgins]

On Dec 15, 2007 12:20 PM, Luis Villa <luis at tieguy.org> wrote:
> ridiculously nice people who believe in Santa Claus.)(Sorry, mom, if
> you ever stumble across this.)

Santa is a great gateway meme, at least here in the States. If you get
most adults aside you can usually get them to the "well its a the
spirit of the holidays, you can feel the spirit of santa even if he is
not real"..from there you can move to other such "feel the spirit even
if its not all true" memes.  Sure, its a great thing to feel the love
of humanity focused in a time and place, but to then use that to
justify or "prove" a story of a plump gift  giving red suited jolly
fella or a rebellious jewish fella who died to save the world and thus
a whole slew of behaviors and practices are required  etc etc
etc....yea tturtles.

I liked how team MattandTrey made people look at Jesus and Santa
togther in the same thoughtsapce.

And lest we forget, what does Santa have to do with chirstmass anyway?
In fact why is Jesus' Bday done up in lae December in the first
place....talk about turtles all the way down...


"Broadly speaking, the story of Horus is as follows: Horus was born on
December 25th [S14] [S15] of the virgin Isis-Meri.[S16] [S17] [S18]
[D] [M] His birth was accompanied by a star in the east [S19], which
in turn, three kings followed to locate and adorn the new-born savior
[M] [S20] [S21]  At the age of 12, he was a prodigal child teacher,
and at the age of 30 [S22] [S23] he was baptized by a figure known as
Anup [M] and thus began his ministry[S24] [M]. Horus had 12
disciples[S25] he traveled about with, performing miracles[S26]
[S27]such as healing the sick[S28] and walking on water[S29]. Horus
was known by many gestural names such as The Truth, The Light, God's
Annointed Son, The Good Shepherd, The Lamb of God, and many
others[S30] [S31]. After being betrayed by Typhon[S32], Horus was
crucified[S33] [S34], buried for 3 days[S35], and thus,
resurrected.[S36] [S37] [M].

These attributes of Horus, whether original or not, seem to permeate
in many cultures of the world, for many other gods are found to have
the same general mythological structure.

Attis, of Phyrigia, born of the virgin Nana on December 25th,
crucified, placed in a tomb and after 3 days, was resurrected.
[S38] [S39] [S40] [S41] [S42] [S43] [M] [D]

Krishna, of India, born of the virgin Devaki with a star in the east
signaling his coming, performed miracles with his disciples, and upon
his death was resurrected.
[S44] [S45] [S46] [S47] [S48] [M] [M2] [D]

Dionysus of Greece, born of a virgin on December 25th, was a traveling
teacher who performed miracles such as turning water into wine, he was
referred to as the "King of Kings," "God's Only Begotten Son," "The
Alpha and Omega," and many others, and upon his death, he was
resurrected.
[S49] [S50] [S51] [S52] [S53] [M]

Mithra, of Persia, born of a virgin on December 25th, he had 12
disciples and performed miracles, and upon his death was buried for 3
days and thus resurrected, he was also referred to as "The Truth,"
"The Light," and many others. Interestingly, the sacred day of worship
of Mithra was Sunday.
[S54] [S55] [S56] [S57] [S58] [M]

The fact of the matter is there are numerous saviors, from different
periods, from all over the world, which subscribe to these general
characteristics. The question remains: why these attributes, why the
virgin birth on December 25th, why dead for three days and the
inevitable resurrection, why 12 disciples or followers? [M] To find
out, let's examine the most recent of the solar messiahs.

Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary on December 25th [D] in
Bethlehem, his birth was announced by a star in the east, which three
kings or magi followed to locate and adorn the new savior.[D] He was a
child teacher at 12, at the age of 30 he was baptized by John the
Baptist, and thus began his ministry. Jesus had 12 disciples which he
traveled about with performing miracles such as healing the sick,
walking on water, raising the dead, he was also known as the "King of
Kings," the "Son of God," the "Light of the World," the "Alpha and
Omega," the "Lamb of God," and many others. After being betrayed by
his disciple Judas and sold for 30 pieces of silver, he was crucified,
placed in a tomb and after 3 days was resurrected and ascended into
Heaven.[S59]

First of all, the birth sequence is completely astrological. The star
in the east is Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, which, on
December 24th, aligns with the 3 brightest stars in Orion's Belt.
[S60] [M] These 3 bright stars are called today what they were called
in ancient times: The Three Kings.[S61] [S62] The Three Kings and the
brightest star, Sirius, all point to the place of the sunrise on
December 25th.[S63] [M] This is why the Three Kings "follow" the star
in the east, in order to locate the sunrise -- the birth of the
sun.[S64] [M]

The Virgin Mary is the constellation Virgo, [S65] also known as Virgo
the Virgin. Virgo in Latin means virgin. The ancient glyph for Virgo
is the altered "m". This is why Mary along with other virgin mothers,
such as Adonis's mother Myrrha [S66], or Buddha's mother Maya [S67]
begin with an M.[S68] [M] Virgo is also referred to as the House of
Bread [S69] [S70], and the representation of Virgo is a virgin holding
a sheaf of wheat. This House of Bread and its symbol of wheat
represents August and September, the time of harvest. [D] In turn,
Bethlehem, in fact, literally translates to "house of bread". [M]
[S71] Bethlehem is thus a reference to the constellation Virgo , a
place in the sky, not on Earth.[M] [S72]

There is another very interesting phenomenon that occurs around
December 25th, or the winter solstice. From the summer solstice to the
winter solstice, the days become shorter and colder. From the
perspective of the northern hemisphere, the sun appears to move south
and get smaller and more scarce. The shortening of the days and the
expiration of the crops when approaching the winter solstice
symbolized the process of death to the ancients. It was the death of
the Sun. [S73] By December 22nd, the Sun's demise was fully realized,
for the Sun, having moved south continually for 6 months, makes it to
it's lowest point in the sky. Here a curious thing occurs: the Sun
stops moving south, at least perceivably, for 3 days.[S74] [M] During
this 3 day pause, the Sun resides in the vicinity of the Southern
Cross, or Crux, constellation.[S75] [S76] [M] And after this time on
December 25th, the Sun moves 1 degree, this time north, foreshadowing
longer days, warmth, and Spring.[S77] And thus it was said: the Sun
died on the cross, [D] was dead for 3 days, only to be resurrected or
born again.[S78] [S79]This is why Jesus and numerous other Sun Gods
share the crucifixion, 3-day death, and resurrection concept. [S80]
[M] It is the Sun's transition period before it shifts its direction
back into the Northern Hemisphere, bringing Spring, and thus
salvation.[S81] [S82] [M] "

[S14] - Massey, Gerald.: The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ,
The Book Tree, . Page 39-40
[S15] - Septehenses, Clerk De.: Religions. of the Ancient. Greeks, p. 214.
[S16] - Doane, Thomas.: Bible Myths and Their Parallels in Other
Religions, p. 327-328
[S17] - Massey, Gerald.: The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ,
The Book Tree, . Page 40
[S18] - Hall, Manly P.: The Secret Teachings of All Ages, 1928. Page
53-56 [Chapter 7: "Isis, the Virgin of the World"]
[S19] - Massey, Gerald.: The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ,
The Book Tree, . Page 12-13
[S20] - Jackson, John: Christianity before Christ, AAP, p111-113
[S21] -Walker, Barbara: Women's Encyplodia of Myths and Secrets, p. 748-754
[S22] - Massey, Gerald.: The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ,
The Book Tree, . Pages 56-61
[S23] - Massey, Gerald.: Ancient Egypt The Light of The World ,Cosimo
Classics, Pages 613-620
[S24] - Massey, Gerald. :Ancient Egypt The Light of The World ,Cosimo
Classics, Pages 614
[S25] - Massey, Gerald.: Ancient Egypt The Light of The World ,Cosimo
Classics, Pages 600-607
[S26] - Doane, Thomas.: Bible Myths and Their Parallels in Other
Religions, p. 256, 273
[S27] - Massey, Gerald.: Ancient Egypt The Light of The World ,Cosimo
Classics, Pages 623-661
[S28] - Massey, Gerald.: Ancient Egypt The Light of The World ,Cosimo
Classics, Page 626
[S29] - Massey, Gerald.: The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ,
The Book Tree, . Pages 74-75
[S30] - Acharya S.: The Christ Conspiracy, Adventures Unlimited Press,
1999. Page 115
[S31] - Massey, Gerald.: The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ,
The Book Tree, . Pages 43-47
[S32] - Acharya S.: Suns of God , Adventures Unlimited Press, 2004. Page 93
[S33] - Churchward, Albert: The Origin & Evolution of Religion, Page 135
[S34] - Bonswick, James: Egyption Belief and Modern Thought, p. 157
[S35] - Massey, Gerald.: Ancient Egypt The Light of The World ,Cosimo
Classics, Page 628-629
[S36] - Doane, Thomas: Bible Myths and Their Parallels in Other
Religions, p. 222- 223
[S37] - Bonswick, James: Egyption Belief and Modern Thought, p. 150-155, 178
[S38] - Acharya S.: The Christ Conspiracy, Adventures Unlimited Press,
1999. Page 107-108
[S39] - Frazer, James.: The Golden Bough, Touchstone, 1963. Page 403-409
[S40] - Jackson, John: Christianity before Christ, AAP, p. 67
[S41] - Doane, Thomas: Bible Myths and Their Parallels in Other
Religions, p. 190-191
[S42] - Berry, Gerald: Religions of the World, B&N, p.20
[S43] - Weigall, Arthur: The Paganism in our Christianity, Thames &
Hudson, 1999 p115-116
[S44] - Carpenter, Edward: Pagan and Christian Creeds, p 12
[S45] - Acharya S.: Suns of God , Adventures Unlimited Press, 2004. Chapter 7
[S46] - Doane, Thomas: Bible Myths and Their Parallels in Other
Religions, p. 113-115
[S47] - Wilkes, Charles (translator): Bhagavat-Geeta, 1785 p 52
[S48] - Doane, Thomas: Bible Myths and Their Parallels in Other
Religions, p. 278-288
[S49] - Freke & Gandy: The Jesus Mysteries, Three Rivers Press, p. 29,
33, 38, 48, 56
[S50] - Frazer, James.: The Golden Bough, Touchstone, 1963. Page 451-452, 543
[S51] - Acharya S.: The Christ Conspiracy, Adventures Unlimited Press,
1999. Page 111-113
[S52] - Doane, Thomas: Bible Myths and Their Parallels in Other
Religions, p. 193
[S53] - Weigall, Arthur: The Paganism in our Christianity, Thames &
Hudson, 1999 p220-224
[S54] - Carpenter, Edward: Pagan and Christian Creeds, DODO Press, p10
[S55] - Freke & Gandy: The Jesus Mysteries, Three Rivers Press, p. 33, 42
[S56] - Frazer, James.: The Golden Bough, Touchstone, 1963. Page 415-420
[S57] - Doane, Thomas: Bible Myths and Their Parallels in Other
Religions, p. 223
[S58] - Acharya S.: The Christ Conspiracy, Adventures Unlimited Press,
1999. Page 118-120
[S59] - King James Version, The Holy Bible, Holman
[S60] - Carpenter, Edward: Pagan and Christian Creeds, DODO Press, p16-17
[S61] - Charles F. Dupuis : Origine de Tous les Cultes, Paris, 1822
[S62] - Massey, Gerald.: The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ,
The Book Tree, . Pages 12-13
[S63] - Doane, Thomas: Bible Myths and Their Parallels in Other
Religions, p. 140-146
[S64] - Irvin & Rutajit: Astrotheology and Shamanism, The Book Tree, Pages 25-26
[S65] - Carpenter, Edward: Pagan and Christian Creeds, DODO Press, p 17-18
[S66] - Frazer, James.: The Golden Bough, Touchstone, 1963. Page 391
[S67] - Moor, Edward, The Hindu Pantheon, Simpson, p154
[S68] - Maxwell, Tice, Snow: That Old-Time Religion,The Book Tree, p43
[S69] - Freke & Gandy: The Jesus Mysteries, Three Rivers Press, p. 33
[S70] - Massey, Gerald.: The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ,
The Book Tree, . Pages 27
[S71] - Acharya S.: The Christ Conspiracy, Adventures Unlimited Press,
1999. Pages 189-190
[S72] - Acharya S.: Suns of God , Adventures Unlimited Press, 2004.
p199,220-221,352-353
[S73] - Frazer, James.: The Golden Bough, Touchstone, 1963. Page 415-417
[S74] - Acharya S.: The Christ Conspiracy, Adventures Unlimited Press,
1999. Pages 154-155
[S75] - Massey, Gerald.: The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ,
The Book Tree, . Pages 10, 98
[S76] - Maxwell, Tice, Snow: That Old-Time Religion,The Book Tree, p41
[S77] - Roy, S.B: Prehistoric Lunar Astronomy, Institute of
Chronology, New Delhi, 1976 p.114
[S78] - Bonswick, James: Egyption Belief and Modern Thought, p. 174
[S79] - Doane, Thomas: Bible Myths and Their Parallels in Other
Religions, p. 495-508
[S80] - Doane, Thomas: Bible Myths and Their Parallels in Other
Religions, p. 483-492
[S81] - Olcott, William Tyler : Suns Lore of All Ages, The Book Tree,
1914. chapter IX
[S82] - Hall, Manly P.: The Secret Teachings of All Ages, 1928. Page 183