How and why did Heru become Jesus and Aset become Mary? How is John Coltrane’s “Sheets of Sound” an extension of ancient African wisdom, specifically spiritual mathematics played out through music? All this and more as Dr. Charles Finch joined this week’s Jazz and Justice.*
* Originally aired December 31, 2008
Segments from Brother Tehuti come from his 2006 classroom visit:
Keep this type of knowledge intact for the uninformed to absorb.
Unfortunately for Drs. Finch and Ball, it is they who are grossly uninformed.
The Jesus = Heru/Horus (as well as the Mary = Aset/Isis) thesis has long been discredited by religious and atheist researchers, and for good reason, too: it has more holes in it than a sinking boat made out of swiss cheese. Historians of religion and science are sadly accustomed to many instances of terrible “scholarship” that have wormed their way into popular discourse, where they are repeated ad nauseam without any interrogation — sometimes even by other scholars who don’t do their homework! For a few starting points of the refutation of this thesis for lay readers, see these websites:
(1) Reddit’s r/badhistory ‘”Jesus is Horus” bad religious history making the rounds’: http://tinyurl.com/4rc9ysnt
(2) ‘Horus-Jesus Correlations’: http://tinyurl.com/mfvftkv8 (This site is now defunct, but well-cited with credible sources)
So then, why does this ahistorical garbage keep getting eaten up and regurgitated by some Africans? Perhaps it has something to do with the horrendous colonial legacy of post-15th century European Christianity, a breathtakingly-obvious sore point for many African people in general and Afrocentrists in particular — such as John G. Jackson and Marimba Ani, who end up citing dubious “scholarship” on Christianity in their works; and others such as the (aforementioned) Charles Finch, Cheikh Anta Diop, and John Henrik Clarke, who have not been above making their own flawed analyzes of Abrahamic religions. While the desire to rescue the history of Africa from colonial whitewashing was and remains a worthwhile endeavor, one’s personal feelings on Christianity are simply not a substitute for sound research and historical methodology.
Even African scholar-legends (a group of which I consider Ball to be a part) are not above critique, and it’s important to point out where they’re wrong so that we can continue to work for the liberation of Africans across the diaspora — whether they identify as religious or not.
Before I explore these readings tell me one thing: do the critics read Mdu Ntr and demonstrate expertise in African history? The atheist channels I watch demonstrate neither. Thanks.
Thanks for your response, Dr. Ball.
While I try to refrain from making appeals to authority, one of the readings I referenced cited some heavy-hitting Egyptologists who have done translations. You’d definitely have to demonstrate incompetency on their part in the areas that you mentioned.
But even if one isn’t well-versed in Mdu Ntr or African history, it doesn’t necessarily require having specialist knowledge in either to find clear problems in the primary sources (based in the 19th-century, AFAIK) that are used to defend the ‘Jesus = Horus’ thesis. This has been shown by those who have at least basic training in the historical method.
So your sources refer specifically to the work of Finch and others showing the flaws? And appeals to authority are sometimes important, even as a step, given I am definitely going to favor the work of those competent in African language and history if Africans are to be removed or diminished in history (especially that taking place on the African continent). I am no authority but want to narrow as much as possible any rabbit trial I’m going to go on.
I haven’t read Finch’s work, but I’m familiar with the works of the others and also some of their cited sources, and there’s a nasty pattern that emerges. Call it the history of religion’s version of the “Penny Trick”: when you see certain names pop up in citations or bibliographies — and not merely in passing, either, but as oft-cited source(s) used for evidence of a claim — you instantly detect trouble, because you already know from previous investigations what such “scholarship” entails.
It’s fine to have an initial bias (we all have biases, of course) of African scholars who do history, but any and every bit of research that we do is still subject to verification, and in this case the work of Finch, et. al. simply does not hold water. I’d just close here by inviting you to keep an open mind and check out the above links. Peace, brother (if you’re willing to fight for it!).
I love my people just trying to come into the real knowledge not that mixed. Up mess in the bible
What People Should Know [but too often don’t] About the Historical Yeshua [aka Jesus]
His name was NOT Jesus Christ – but Yeshua Ben Yosafe [the Natzorean]. Yeshua’s apostles also had Hebrew names IE: Simeon bar Levi [aka St Peter], Yokhanon [aka St John], Yaakov [aka James Brother of Yeshua], etc
He was NOT a Euro-Christian- Meaning Yeshua was Neither European [IE: he was NOT white w blonde hair & blue eyes] NOR a Christian – but in fact an Afro-Asiatic Judean Israelite.
Until circa 1500 ACE, w Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, Yeshua & his mother were often depicted as persons w brown &/or dark-skin.
His ministry was in the ‘Old Testament’ Prophetic Tradition – His mission was NOT to establish a new religion called Christianity – thus he did NOT teach that New Testament ‘grace’ supersedes Old Testament Law.
His father Yosafe’s heritage was of the Royal Davidic lineage, & his mother Miriam’s heritage was of the Levitical / Priestly line. Thus it’s written that Yeshua’s ministry was after the order of Meliki-tsadek [= King of Righteousness], who was the first known Hi-Priest in the Bible & King of {Jeru}Salem, & who blessed the Biblical Patriarch Abraham.
The historical Yeshua was almost certainly NOT born of Dec 25th. In fact his exact date of birth [or even yr of birth] is unknown.
Besides Yaakov [aka James], Yeshua had several other brothers [Yosay {Joses}, Simeon & Yehuda {Judah] & several sisters.
Yeshua was most likely married to Miriam of Magdala [aka Mary Magdalene] & they may even have had a son [named Yehuda].
Miriam of Magdala probably was also an important teacher of Yeshua’s Gospel message in her own right [likely particularly to women in the movement].
Paul [aka Saul] was NOT one of Yeshua’s original apostles & in fact never even met him in the flesh.
Paul began his career as a chief inquisitor for the Sanhedrin [who handed Yeshua over to the Roman Governor of Judea- Pontius Pilate, to be executed]- who in fact zealously persecuted Yeshua’s Judean followers.
Paul was a Roman citizen because his father was Roman.
Paul as an ‘apprentice apostle’ had significant conflicts / disputes w Yaakov [Yeshua’s brother] & original Apostles Yokhanon & Simeon bar Levi [aka Sts John & Peter]- which these 3 were also known as the ‘Pillars of the Movement’ at Jerusalem after Yeshua’s execution.
The ‘Last Supper’ was a Passover Feast Meal, NOT an Easter feast meal. The word Easter is in fact derived from the name of the pagan Canaanite goddess of lust, fertility & war- Ashtoreth [aka Ishtar- Note: mythical Easter-egg laying bunny-rabbits are pagan fertility-rite symbols & mistletoe was also used by European pagans as an aphrodisiac].
Yeshua was executed, upon Pontius Pilate’s decree, on a Thursday morning- NOT on a Friday morning.
Rome often crucified those tagged as enemies of the Roman Empire several centuries before Yeshua’s crucifixion [See: ‘Sparticus’ RE: mass-crucifixions during the gladiator slave revolt of 73 -71 BCE].
Euro-Christianity as we’ve come to know it was formally formulated in 325 ACE at the Council of Nicaea under the auspices of Roman Emperor Constantine [& his mother Helena].
Euro-Christian doctrine is based as much, or Even More So, on the epistles of Paul than the teachings of Yeshua. Paul originated the doctrine that ‘Grace’ supplants Old Testament Law.
The Roman Catholic [‘mother’] Church [of Euro-Christianity] has made iconic [idolic] statues of the so-called ‘Virgin Mother’ Mary [aka the so-called ‘Mother of God’ {HUHH???]- rivaling those of iconic [idolic] Jesus crucifixes.
The ‘Shroud of Turin’ has been shown NOT to be Yeshua’s actual burial shroud by both C14 dating [the Turin shroud dates only to circa 1300 ACE], & also by close evaluation of the Gospels’ accounts of his burial w his body being wrapped / wound tightly in linen cloths [plural] & his head being wrapped in a separate cloth- NOT a single cloth draped over his body [front & back] as the Turin shroud depicts.
Ancient Churches in Africa [Egypt & Ethiopia] & Asia [IE: Syria] were likely established even before the Roman Catholic Church. However over the course of the past 1700 yrs these Afro-Asiatic churches have been significantly over-shadowed by & also influenced by the Roman Catholic Church’s doctrine & iconic imagery.
Thank to you both. And yes, we continue on. Its all good and actually even better!
I have this downloaded and listen to it often. I remember when Dr. Ball aired this broadcast, that was back when his show was 2 hours and very well produced, like going to school to hear your favorite teachers impart knowledge and wisdom.
Because of the different truths I’ve absorbed over the years, I made a conscience decision in 1995 not to participate in lies and explained to my children the reasons why I could no longer contribute to myths, consumerism and making sure the stores bottom was ‘black’ while my bottom line would be ‘red’. Just did not make sense. While it took a few years for them to adjust, we are still here and the world did not end because of not participating in the ‘craziness’ of Christmas.
I prefer to ‘eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die’
This is a great compilation of jazz and information. Please keep posting these shows so that we can keep your legacy alive, Jared. Your mission does not end with WPFW…it expands and continues on.
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