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talkpoliticsIn his chef d'oevre, Anacalypsis, Masonic scholar Godfrey Higgins presents an interesting theory on the reason for the Crusades. He contends that Bernard of Clairvaux espoused a prediction of the Second Coming at the turn of the thirteenth century with Jesus appearing in Jerusalem and the Antichrist in Antioch. Higgins contends that this idea drove the Crusades above all other motivations. This pointer ties in with Mitt Romney's espousal of W. Cleon Skousen's idea that Jesus would appear at Jerusalem.
If there is any truth to this theory it demonstrates a self-fulfilling prophesy. The Crusaders who invaded Antioch were agents of a vicious and brutal power structure similar to the one that Jesus had spoken against during his brief career. The Roman occupation of Jerusalem paved the way for another "savior" to appear on the scene to challenge the power of Caesar.
You might wonder why 1200 CE was embraced by the Roman "saint." Higgins relates it to an ancient astrological period called a neros which is derived from the precession of the vernal equinox. It is a simple concept that can be grasped without a lot of math. It involves a number of alien terms that put off all but the serious scholar.
If Jesus were to show up during our lifetime, we would see fundamentalist Christians flocking to his location to nail his butt to a tree and pat themselves on the back for a job well done. What do you think he would say about the Vatican before the fundies got to him?
If there is any truth to this theory it demonstrates a self-fulfilling prophesy. The Crusaders who invaded Antioch were agents of a vicious and brutal power structure similar to the one that Jesus had spoken against during his brief career. The Roman occupation of Jerusalem paved the way for another "savior" to appear on the scene to challenge the power of Caesar.
You might wonder why 1200 CE was embraced by the Roman "saint." Higgins relates it to an ancient astrological period called a neros which is derived from the precession of the vernal equinox. It is a simple concept that can be grasped without a lot of math. It involves a number of alien terms that put off all but the serious scholar.
If Jesus were to show up during our lifetime, we would see fundamentalist Christians flocking to his location to nail his butt to a tree and pat themselves on the back for a job well done. What do you think he would say about the Vatican before the fundies got to him?
(no subject)
Date: 11/7/11 16:16 (UTC)