Mystic-Skeptic Radio: Uncensored/Raiders of the Unknown

By Mystic N SkepticSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Spirituality Philosophy

Mystic-Skeptic Radio: Uncensored/Raiders of the Unknown episodes

April 03, 2017 Jewish Origins of the Jesus Movement
Send us Fan Mail
In this week's episode we discuss the Christian roots of Anti-Semitism and what history and archeology can tell us about the original Jesus movement. The show comprised of two interviews. One with Amy-Jill Levine, University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University and the other with Israel Knohl, the Yehezkel Kaufmann Chair of Biblical studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.Dr. Amy-Jill Levine’s discusses her book The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus and the historical framework of the writing of the New Testament. She shares alternatives for interfaith relations.Israel Knohl discusses his book Messiahs and Resurrection in ‘The Gabriel Revelation’. Which focuses on his research on the Gabriel Tablet, an ancient document believed to support Knohl’s theory. He believes that a group of surviving followers of a ‘messianic king’ wrote the document to make sense of their loss, just like Jesus’ disciples.Historically, an Anti-Jewish bias from people claiming to follow the teachings of the Jewish preacher from Nazareth, has caused much prejudice and persecution. To heal the hearts of those affected by this, we must seek to understand the roots of these sentiments to gain insights on how not to perpetuate this conflict.
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…
37 min
April 02, 2017 John Dominic Crossan Author of Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography
Send us Fan Mail
In this week’s show we are honored to have a world renown scholar who participated in the Jesus Seminar in the 1990’s. His books include Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography and The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant. During our show John Dominic Crossan explains his view of the historical Jesus and elaborates on his reconstruction of the historical figure. In his research he portrays Jesus as a hellenized Jewish cynic philosopher, he also discussed Jesus Jewish heritage, his social teachings as well as his revolutionary tactics against the Roman empire.Along with Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan has co-authored a series of books: The Last Week: A Day by Day Account of Jesus’s Final Week in Jerusalem (2006); The First Christmas: What the Gospels Really Teach about the Birth of Jesus (2007); and The First Paul: Reclaiming the Radical Visionary Behind the Church’s Conservative Icon(2009).His most recent book is How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: Struggling with Divine Violence from Genesis through Revelation (HarperOne, 2015).
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…
59 min
April 01, 2017 Jewish Book Spotlight-Secret Jews: The Complex Identity of Crypto-Jews and Crypto-Judaism
Send us Fan Mail
In this week’s show our guest is Juan Marcos Bejarano Gutierrez, a graduate from Siegal College and Spertus Institute of Jewish Learning and Leadership. He is a rabbi who received ordination from Yeshiva Mesilat Yesharim. He lives in Dallas and is a researcher in Spanish Jewish history. He is the author of Secret Jews: The Complex Identity of Crypto-Jews and Crypto-Judaism. As part two of our exploration of the surviving Jewish communities in Latin America which have encountered much the religious persecution, since their massive exodus from Spain. Dr. Bejarano Gutierrez book describes the struggles of the Anusim or Conversos (forced converts) and shows through historical sources that these converts and their children were, more often than not, treated as Jews by the rabbis of that period. This book shows, through the well researched sources, that the current tendency of some authorities to reject the descendants of the Anusim is more driven by political reasons rather than based on religious, legal or historical precedence. Dr. Bejarano Gutierrez is also the founder of Benei Anusim Center for Education which provides opportunities for the descendants of Crypto-Jews in our day.
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…
1 hr 4 min
March 29, 2017 The Hidden Jews of Spain, Portugal and Latin America
Send us Fan Mail
In this week’s show our guest is David Ramírez, a former Counselor to the Board of Directors for Congregation Ess Hayim – the Spanish and Portuguese Jews of Houston. He is an independent researcher on Sephardic history and currently lives in Mexico.Our topic is the surviving Jewish communities in Latin America which have encountered much the religious persecution, since their massive exodus from Spain. There was a thriving Jewish community in Iberian Peninsula for centuries. The time period we discuss started in the 14th century as Jews were forcibly baptized bringing about the phenomenon where they practiced Judaism underground. The descendants of these Spanish-Portuguese Jews in Latin America have been returning to the greater Jewish community for centuries. However, this process has been a difficult one due to how some groups being more insular than others.In Jewish law the term “Anusim” is applied to these forced converts, whether of Spain, Portugal, Persia, Hungary, or elsewhere, and to their descendants. Although the original forced converts and their children should be treated as Jews; there has been a tendency by some authorities to reject them.Many Hispanics whose families are aware of Jewish descent and who wish to be accepted as part of a normative Jewish community face difficulties. Without conversion or formal return, they often find themselves marginalized in the synagogue or temple, unable to marry in the synagogue, or unable to settle permanently in Israel.David M. Gitlitz in his 1996 book Secrecy and Deceit demonstrates that conversos in Spain, Portugal, and the New Spain continued to uphold the Jewish Law, practices, and traditions held by their forefathers well after and during the inquisitions. They also formed communities, holding services in homes of Old Christians who were sympathetic to Jews, and having their own leaders and prayer books.Spanish Jewish Religious Philosopher Moses Maimonides wrote in the 12th century the following regarding Anusim:“How can God not reward a Jew who has been coerced by force of persecution yet secretly performs some commandments? … One who transgresses under duress is not called a sinner, nor wicked, nor is he disqualified…. It is improper to reject those who desanctify the Sabbath or to despise them, rather one should welcome them and encourage them…. Even a voluntary sinner who comes to the synagogue to pray is accepted and is not to be insulted.”There is a growing number of rabbis that support the reintegration of the Anusim such as Conservative Rabbi David Kunin, Joseph Garcia who was commissioned by the Renewal movement and has found backing from some Conservative rabbis, while others that are friendly toward Anusim such as Cuban American Orthodox rabbi Manny Vinas.Many scholars have tacked this issue before such as Ben Zion Netanyahu, Norman Roth and Henry Kamen. They view Conversos not as secret Jews, but as sincere Catholics who were falsely accused of practicing Judaism due to their Jewish lineage. On the other hand, Haim Beinart and Yitzhak Baer, show from multiple historical sources that many Crypto-Jews were willing to be martyred to honor Jewish tradition, some where just trying to survive and others were syncretistic in their beliefs.According to an article by Ashley Perry:“Almost every Jewish tradition has been kept somewhere by some family of Bnei Anusim. There are amulets that have been passed down from generation to generation that contain the mezuza scroll. There are women who go to a dark room every Friday at dusk to light candles in a bowl of water; the water was so that in case the inquisitors would arrive, they could quickly extinguish the flames. This is done to this very day, and many times without even their closest family ever becoming aware of this ritual, until it is time to explain it to the eldest daughter.” (Kol Nidre and the Bnei Anusim)
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…
1 hr
March 24, 2017 The Exorcist TV Series Review
Send us Fan Mail
In this week’s show we review the Fox TV Series “The Exorcist” which just completed it’s first season and is now available on Hulu.Based on the hit 1973 film by the same name (from a novel by William Peter Blatty), the show follows Father Tomas Ortega and Father Marcus Keane both exorcists from the Roman Catholic Church. The main victim of possession is Casey Rance daughter of Angela Rance played Geena Davis who is actually Regan MacNeil from the original story.The show expands “The Exorcist” universe to include other plot twists such as a plan to assassinate the Pope by a secret society made up of church leaders, a group of demons who are trying to take over Chicago by stealing organs from residents of poor neighborhoods and a group of rebel nuns that perform exorcism outside of official approval. The Salesman / Captain Howdy or Pazuzu, is depicted as an elderly gentleman who appears to Regan while playing with a Ouija board.Our guest Joe Balog, offers his perspective on the show and discusses the rite of possession including the litany of the Virgin Mary which is mentioned on the show and is not usually used for demonic possession.
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…
1 hr 1 min
March 24, 2017 Spotlight Film Review
Send us Fan Mail
In this week’s show we discuss the child abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Church and review the film “Spotlight” with our Catholic friend Joe Balog.Why has the largest Christian church not taken this type of abuse seriously? In this episode address the issues around religious authority and lack of oversight.In this type of abuse there is an intrinsic attack on the soul of the individuals, which cannot be ignored. In the film, they discuss the number of predators working as priests to be as many as 6% among Catholic religious leaders. With compassion and sensitivity to the victims and their families we discuss the implications of this film, which is based on a true story.
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…
1 hr 9 min
March 23, 2017 The Possession Film Review
Send us Fan Mail
In this week’s show we feature a review of the film “The Possession.” This story about a Jewish exorcist is a new take on the well-known Horror genre. Our guest is the writer of The Dibbuk Box Jason Haxton who offers insider information as he is involved with the production of the sequel and was an advisor for the original film which came out in 2012.
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…
4 min
March 16, 2017 The Mystic And The Skeptic.mp3
1 hr
March 02, 2017 Demonology Series: The Dibbuk Box
Send us Fan Mail
In this week’s show we discuss mysticism with Jason Haxton the owner of the dybbuk box; a wine box surrounded by mysterious events. This item first appeared on eBay and became popular in the 2012 Hollywood blockbuster “The Possession.” Mr. Haxton has been featured on many shows dealing with the supernatural for the SyFy channel, The Travel Channel and The History Channel.When I first heard about the movie I was afraid that Jewish folklore was being exploited for cheap thrills. I saw the movie and was impressed with it since it appeared to be a respectful take on the Jewish understanding of demonology. Mr. Haxton is the Director of the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri, a scientist by profession he first encountered the supernatural when he obtained the box. We spoke about the physical ailments, natural phenomena he experienced and how the idea of the box is similar to concept to the genie in a bottle or Jinn in Middle Eastern culture.The contents of the box are the following: 4 stones from pillars where shalom is written, it contained two 1920s pennies, a lock of blonde hair bound with cord, a lock of black/brown hair bound with cord, one dried rose bud, a single candle holder with four octopus-shaped legs, and a small golden wine goblet.Many rational Jewish scholars feel that superstition is a remnant of more ancient animistic ideas which do not belong in Traditional Judaism. However, there is a strong trend in both Kabbalah and the Hasidic community of Eastern Europe of spiritual possession. In that tradition a dybbuk is the soul of a deceased individual who possesses another person and can only be released through an act of takanah (repair) to continue its gilgul (transmigration) to another life.According to Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis who wrote The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic, and Mysticism. “Dybbuks are a form of spirit possession, not, as demonic possession… In Jewish tradition dybbukim do not possess “innocent” or “pure” souls, but invade those whose lives have made them vulnerable to such infestations through sin and lax observance of the Jewish faith.” The process of Jewish exorcism involves a minyan(quorum of ten men) and any Jewish person who has the knowledge to perform the rituals such as rabbis, local holy men or the educated. The ritual involves reciting the following Psalms: 91 the “Psalm of Affliction,” along with 16 and 121 to neutralize the spirit. Other objects associated with this process are prayer shawls and rams horns.
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…
1 hr
March 01, 2017 Demonology Series: Demons and Exorcism
Send us Fan Mail
In this week’s show our guest is Joseph Balog a friend of the show and Catholic theologian in training. We decided to bring him back to discuss demons and exorcism for our All Hallow’s Eve/Day of the Dead special. We delved deeply in the religious tradition of the Roman Catholic Church about how these spiritual entities operate. We discussed the demons influence on our health and the way Catholics deal with possession.The study of demons is a complex topic, as it taps into the most supernatural aspects of the monotheistic traditions. These mysterious beings have sparked countless legends, from tales about their origin, to perspectives that claim they can take hold of human consciousness and bodies. According to the biblical narrative, these fallen angels were originally created to serve G-d and communicate his presence in the world. The Book of Enoch is where the Catholic tradition of angels rebelling against God comes from, but it is in the NT that the role of Satan is defined. At the same time, Jewish theology originally identified Satan as a son of G-d not as an emissary of evil. The Genesis account of angels lusting after the daughters of men was taken as part of the fall of Lucifer by the early mystics.Demons are believed to be the cause for illnesses in the Bible making exorcism the only cure for the effects of possession. This was a prevalent practice during the second temple era around the time of Jesus. The earliest historical reference to exorcism was made by the Jewish-Roman Josephus. He describes how one of the early rabbis named Eleazar expelled a demon in front of Emperor Vespian. He used a formula which was believed to come from King Solomon. The Testament of Solomon a first century text could be called “the encyclopedia of Jewish demonology” This book, attributed to King Solomon, deals with many demons that are mentioned in the New Testament. Such as Beelzeboul and the angel of night which is called Lailah, known as the queen of demons. It is intriguing that most of these demons are associated with sexual passions.We also discussed how animals can be vessels for exorcised demons. The Gospel story concerning the passage of demons into the Gadarene swine is very similar to the Babylonian transference of demons from a possessed man to a kid or pig. However the book Essentials in Demonology finds the following differences: “In the one case, for example, the object is dead, in the other it is living. But the Gospel account at least shows the existence of a belief, widespread among many peoples, that demons are able to pass from men to animals as well as demon animals to men.”A rational explanation for demons in early Jewish mysticism is that the established gods and goddesses of other cultures were degraded to the rank of demons. Especially as the Essene mystics of Qumran, the writers of the Dead Sea Scrolls, associated the Roman armies with the occult as they conveyed their view that “…the sons of light shall battle with the company of darkness.”The origin of Catholic views about demon possession comes directly from the New Testament. The apostle Paul was himself concerned about humans having to challenge the power of Kosmokrators who bring about evil in the world: “Our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness (Ephesians 6:12).” In the New Testament early Christians and the rest of the Jewish community viewed exorcism as a form of curing major illnesses such as dumbness, blindness, epilepsy, and mania. The later rabbis ascribed the various diseases to demons and considered the following diseases originating from supernatural sources: blindness; catalepsy, headache (or meningitis); epilepsy, nightmares; delirious fever and madness; leprosy and melancholy. Other signs of possession mentioned are: falling into fire and water, convulsions, foaming at the mouth, raving, grinding of teeth, savage fierceness
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…
38 min

About Mystic-Skeptic Radio: Uncensored/Raiders of the Unknown

From the publisher's feed

Mystic-Skeptic Media presents our audio documentaries, books and radio shows that address important subjects that affect us all.

Our programs Raiders of the Unknown/Uncensored (also…