Mystic-Skeptic Radio: Uncensored/Raiders of the Unknown

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In this weeks show Brian Dunning returns to discuss false flag conspiracies and the Illuminati. The founder of the website Skeptoid: Critical Analysis of Pop Phenomena, Brian has a number of posts and audio recordings about different subjects such as pseudo –science, urban myths, consumer affairs and health fads.It is frustrating to see outrageous false flag conspiracy theories not being challenged. We discuss the historical truth behind false flag initiatives by some governments such as the Nazi invasion of Poland under false pretense; however according to our guest there is no evidence that the “Illuminati” or “One World Government” are behind 911 or other tragedies.

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Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…

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In this week’s show we feature an interview with Brian Dunning from the website Skeptoid: Critical Analysis of Pop Phenomena. The topic we are discussing is the vast number of Anti-Jewish Conspiracies online. Jews are blamed for almost all conspiracies out there; although they make up 0.2 percent of the world population. From living under the earth as reptile people, to controlling every government, to owning all media outlets or starting all wars Jews are under every rock according to Anti-Semites.Brian is a science writer and the host and producer of this own podcast. He applies critical thinking to urban legends and popular pseudoscientific subjects promoted by the mass media. He is the author of five books based on the podcast. His background is in computer science and he is a member of the National Association of ScienceBrian Dunning has excellent podcasts about the Rothchilds and the Zionists conspiracies. As recent as 2011 the documentary Ethos (which can be found on Netflix) blames the Rothchilds for the financial situation we are in. We discussed the role of the Internet in popularizing these anti-Jewish theories, the recent attacks against Islam, how competing religions malign each other and the paranoia that brings about these conspiracies. One of the reasons we chose this topic is because there is a trend for pundits to claim that they are not AntiSemitic but only Anti-Jewish, we discussed how these distinctions are dishonest since you can’t attack a religion without attacking its members.

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Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…

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In week’s show we discuss the ancient astronaut craze, our guest is Dr. Michael Heiser. He has a PHD from the Department of Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also earned an M.A. in Ancient History from the University of Pennsylvania (his major fields of study were Ancient Israel and Egyptology). He also earned another M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Hebrew Studies and attended Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Heiser is featured on the Debunking Ancient Aliens documentary, which can be found on YouTube.In 1968 Erich von Däniken wrote Chariots of the Gods and Zecharia Sitchin followed that trend in 1976 with the book The 12th Planet. Dr. Heiser discussed their lack of credentials and the way they reach their conclusions. The most problematic of their claims is Sitchin’s interpretation of the Anunnaki. These group of Mesopotamian deities are considered by him to have impregnated human beings or genetically changed our original dna.We also addressed the way that Hollywood, including the Ancient Aliens program on The History Channel, exploits history, archeology and religious texts. According to Dr. Heiser, Ancient Astronaut speculators often rehash new age and occult ideas. However, it is hard to deny that ancient civilizations were obsessed with beings coming from the sky to share revelations with them. I asked Dr. Heiser how is it that religious people often dismiss extraterrestrial life, but consider supernatural phenomena a possible explanation.Chris White who runs the Debunking Ancient Aliens website and Jason Colbito often describe Von Daniken unethical past and Sitchin’s misreading of ancient texts. They also characterize the followers of this theory as members of the cult of Ancient Aliens, which is inspired by 19th Century horror literature, including the book Morning of the Magicians by Louis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier.Dr. Heiser mentioned the Panspermia hypothesis, which proposes that a spacecraft brought about life on earth through microorganisms. He also addressed the supremacist ideas of some ancient astronaut speculators which believe in the inferiority of some races. This is an interesting revelation as some Nazi figures as Heinrich Himmler had a great interest in aliens. This is described in the book Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism, and the Politics of Identity by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke.

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Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…

In week’s show we discuss the ancient astronaut craze, our guest is Dr. Michael Heiser. He has a PHD from the Department of Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also earned an M.A. in Ancient History from the University of Pennsylvania (his major fields of study were Ancient Israel and Egyptology). He also earned another M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Hebrew Studies and attended Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Heiser is featured on the Debunking Ancient Aliens documentary, which can be found on YouTube.

In 1968 Erich von Däniken wrote Chariots of the Gods and Zecharia Sitchin followed that trend in 1976 with the book The 12th Planet. Dr. Heiser discussed their lack of credentials and the way they reach their conclusions. The most problematic of their claims is Sitchin’s interpretation of the Anunnaki. These group of Mesopotamian deities are considered by him to have impregnated human beings or genetically changed our original dna.

We also addressed the way that Hollywood, including the Ancient Aliens program on The History Channel, exploits history, archeology and religious texts. According to Dr. Heiser, Ancient Astronaut speculators often rehash new age and occult ideas. However, it is hard to deny that ancient civilizations were obsessed with beings coming from the sky to share revelations with them. I asked Dr. Heiser how is it that religious people often dismiss extraterrestrial life, but consider supernatural phenomena a possible explanation.

Chris White who runs the Debunking Ancient Aliens website and Jason Colbito often describe Von Daniken unethical past and Sitchin’s misreading of ancient texts. They also characterize the followers of this theory as members of the cult of Ancient Aliens, which is inspired by 19th Century horror literature, including the book Morning of the Magicians by Louis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier.

Dr. Heiser mentioned the Panspermia hypothesis, which proposes that a spacecraft brought about life on earth through microorganisms. He also addressed the supremacist ideas of some ancient astronaut speculators which believe in the inferiority of some races. This is an interesting revelation as some Nazi figures as Heinrich Himmler had a great interest in aliens. This is described in the book Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism, and the Politics of Identity by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke.

In week’s show we discuss the ancient astronaut craze, our guest is Dr. Michael Heiser. He has a PHD from the Department of Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also earned an M.A. in Ancient History from the University of Pennsylvania (his major fields of study were Ancient Israel and Egyptology). He also earned another M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Hebrew Studies and attended Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Heiser is featured on the Debunking Ancient Aliens documentary, which can be found on YouTube.

In 1968 Erich von Däniken wrote Chariots of the Gods and Zecharia Sitchin followed that trend in 1976 with the book The 12th Planet. Dr. Heiser discussed their lack of credentials and the way they reach their conclusions. The most problematic of their claims is Sitchin’s interpretation of the Anunnaki. These group of Mesopotamian deities are considered by him to have impregnated human beings or genetically changed our original dna.

We also addressed the way that Hollywood, including the Ancient Aliens program on The History Channel, exploits history, archeology and religious texts. According to Dr. Heiser, Ancient Astronaut speculators often rehash new age and occult ideas. However, it is hard to deny that ancient civilizations were obsessed with beings coming from the sky to share revelations with them. I asked Dr. Heiser how is it that religious people often dismiss extraterrestrial life, but consider supernatural phenomena a possible explanation.

Chris White who runs the Debunking Ancient Aliens website and Jason Colbito often describe Von Daniken unethical past and Sitchin’s misreading of ancient texts. They also characterize the followers of this theory as members of the cult of Ancient Aliens, which is inspired by 19th Century horror literature, including the book Morning of the Magicians by Louis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier.

Dr. Heiser mentioned the Panspermia hypothesis, which proposes that a spacecraft brought about life on earth through microorganisms. He also addressed the supremacist ideas of some ancient astronaut speculators which believe in the inferiority of some races. This is an interesting revelation as some Nazi figures as Heinrich Himmler had a great interest in aliens. This is described in the book Black Sun: Aryan Cults, Esoteric Nazism, and the Politics of Identity by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke.

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In this week’s show we interview Joe Jordan, the President and co-founder of CE4 Research Group, an Alien Abduction investigation and research team based out of Cocoa, Florida. Joe has been a MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) Field Investigator since 1992. He has shared his research findings from his Alien Abduction investigations through many radio shows, newspaper and magazine articles, DVD’s, and lectures. His research findings on Alien Abductions have been written about in twelve different authored books over the past decade.MUFON is the world’s oldest and largest UFO phenomenon investigative body which “aims to be the inquisitive minds’ refuge seeking answers to that most ancient question: Are we alone in the universe?”Mr. Jordan discussed his background and how he become involved in Ufology. He has spearheaded a religious based project in which he explores how out of the 70 percent of Americans who are Christian some are experiencing alien abduction. His data is based on stories he has heard throughout the years. I asked him if abductions are part of the American sense of emptiness and reaching for out of this world explanations for the human condition. He disagrees with this premise and feels that there is a spiritual battle behind some of people’s experiences of contact with aliens.

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Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…

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In this week’s show we conclude our discussion of early Christianity, Greco-Roman culture and Gnosticism with Robbert Conner. He is the author of The Secret Gospel of MarkThe description of the book is the following: “While cataloging material in the library of the monastery of Mar Saba in 1958, Morton Smith discovered a quotation from a letter of Clement of Alexandria copied in the end pages of a 17th century collection of the letters of Ignatius. After more than a decade of collaborative analysis of the find, Smith published his conclusions in 1973, setting off a firestorm of controversy in the New Testament studies guild. In 1975, a Jesuit scholar, Quentin Quesnell, claimed the letter had been forged and implied that Smith was the forger, moving the focus of debate off the text itself and onto Smith. Since then the pages containing the letter have been removed from the book and possibly destroyed, while Catholic and evangelical writers, none of whom have ever seen the pages in question, continue to claim that Smith forged the letter. Following his death in 1991, accusations against Smith took on a considerably more personal tone, highlighting his alleged homosexuality and by implication his dishonesty and moral perversity. Although the question of authenticity remains unresolved, the controversy has opened a window on the intellectually corrupt nature of apologetic New Testament studies, a subject of greater importance than the authenticity of early Christian texts.”In the letter Clement of Alexandria addresses a gnostic group known as the Carpocratians which he considers heretical and who might have corrupted Jesus’ teachings in the original version of the Gospel of Mark.The letter includes two excerpts from this Secret Gospel (From Morton Smith’s Translation):“And they come into Bethany. And a certain woman whose brother had died was there. And, coming, she prostrated herself before Jesus and says to him, “Son of David, have mercy on me.” But the disciples rebuked her. And Jesus, being angered, went off with her into the garden where the tomb was, and straightway a great cry was heard from the tomb. And going near Jesus rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb. And straightway, going in where the youth was, he stretched forth his hand and raised him, seizing his hand. But the youth, looking upon him, loved him and began to beseech him that he might be with him. And going out of the tomb they came into the house of the youth, for he was rich. And after six days Jesus told him what to do and in the evening the youth comes to him, wearing a linen cloth over his naked body. And he remained with him that night, for Jesus taught him the mystery of the kingdom of God. And thence, arising, he returned to the other side of the Jordan.”“And the sister of the youth whom Jesus loved and his mother and Salome were there, and Jesus did not receive them.”John Dominic Crossan (a scholar interviewed on our show) has the following view of the document “I consider that canonical Mark is a very deliberate revision of Secret Mark.”(D. Crossan, Four Other Gospels: Shadows on the Contours of Canon, Minneapolis, 1985, p. 108)Our guest shares many of Morton Smith’s ideas such as considering the historical Jesus as a magical healer and sharing his interest in alternative versions of the narratives depicted in the New Testament.During our show we also discuss the gospel birth narratives which have many parallels in different cultures. Mr. Conner shares his research and frustration with scholars or laymen who read things into texts which support their preconceived ideas.

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Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…

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“I command you, ghost of the dead (nekudaimon), by the powerful and implacable god and by his holy names, to stand beside me in the night to come, in whatever form you had…” Michael A. Morgan Sepher Ha-Razim: The Book of Mysteries., Chico, CA: Scholars Press, 1983., pg. 36,38.In this week’s show we continue our discussion of early Christianity, Greco-Roman culture and Gnosticism with Robert Conner. He is the author of Resurrection or Ghost Story? available on Scribd.During our program we discuss his research and the different types of ghosts stories in the ancient world. He shares how modern ghost stories are influenced by ancient ones and describes the documented apparitions of Romulus & Apollonius of Tyana which have many parallels to the resurrection stories in the New Testament and other stories.

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Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…

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This episode is part II of our interview with Robert Conner author of Jesus the Sorcerer and the website Magic in Christianity. His articles “The Romans meet Jesus” and “Faking Jesus” are featured on disinfo.com and Scribd respectively.

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Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…

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In this week’s show our guest is Robert Conner author of Jesus the Sorcerer and the website Magic in Christianity. His articles “The Romans meet Jesus” and “Faking Jesus” are featured on disinfo.com and Scribd respectively.We discuss the topic Magic & The Supernatural in the early church focusing on Jesus’ relation to Greek Culture and how the apostle Paul borrowed ideas from some of the mystery cults in the Mediterranean. We also discuss sourcery and demonology in the Greco/Roman culture of that time.According to Gershon Scholem, the late expert in Jewish mysticism, Jewish Gnosticism did not exist since as Kabbalistic literature did not develop until later centuries. Mr. Conner discusses the work of Elaine Pagels,’ an expert in the Gnostic Gospels, as she wrote the most extensive work on Gnosticism in Paul’s writings.Our topic is very controversial in nature, especially as our guest discusses information that can be misconstruded by some. For example: when discussing how early Christians commited acts of vandalism in the Roman Empire he is reporting accounts from Roman leaders who are antagonistic to the nascent Jesus movement. Regarding Jesus claims the aspect of fulfilled prophecy is a debatable topic that is not covered in this series. In this show we also do not discuss the impact of Christianity on human history or the traditional Christian interpretation of world events.Our guest shares the worldview of the apocalyptic groups which were part of first century Judaism. However, he does not address claims scholarly concerns that the gospels are not historically reliable sources, but apologetic missionary tracts which make it difficult to do a historical reconstruction of the events that transpired.At first impression it appears that in some of his works he claims that the Gnostics were the majority of Jesus followers. This is one of the controversial points of his argument since it is part of the justification for his view of Jesus and his followers using magic to gain members. Gnosticism is known as secretive in nature, not evangelistic as many groups in that time period and beyond.I asked our guest regarding the sexuality of Jesus and his followers because in his booklet Faking Jesus he alludes to the accusation of some Roman leaders that the early Christians were immoral in their relationships. This type of personal attack on the opposition is common among groups struggling for political power. The demonization of the other is the easiest way to neutralize your opponents views.Mr. Conner also does not address the differences between the Gnostic perspective of God and the biblical one. This is an important topic that I will try to bring up in our future interviews. I am also interested in discussing the Gospels’ birth narratives which have many parallels in other cultures.Many academic would disagree with his view that later Christians manipulated the scriptures; instead some scholars see the Hebrew Bible as inspiration for many different views. One examples is the Essenes at Qumran who reinterpreted the scriptures to meet their theological needs, but this does not mean they were heretical for doing this since it took centuries for classical Judaism to develop.

Support the show

Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Anti-Semitism Rising & Jesus The Israelite (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 11 seasons we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…