M.J. Rose

What the afterlife is really like according to a spirit guide channeled in trance by April Crawford:

Even in rubble they are mysterious and beautiful – new discoveries are made about the destroyed Bamiyan Buddhas of Afghanistan…

(Even statues can experience reincarnation!)

Destroyed Buddhas Reveal Their True Colors
by Andrew Lawler 

Ten years ago tomorrow, the Taliban began to systematically destroy the great Bamiyan Buddhas of Afghanistan—two giant statues that watched over the Bamiyan Valley for 1500 years. Now, extensive studies of the rubble have revealed new details about the creation and appearance of these statues, including their original colors.

Bamiyan was an important monastic complex at a time when Buddhism began to spread from India and Pakistan into Central Asia and China. But dating the massive statues—38 and 55 meters high, respectively—that were carved into the sandstone cliffs has proved problematic. Based on the style of the robes, art historians have long believed the monuments were made as early as the 3rd century C.E.

But the new analysis indicates that they were made a few hundred years after this. Drawing on organic material in the clay layers in the rubble of the destroyed Buddhas, a team led by Erwin Emmerling of the Technical University of Munich in Germany used mass spectrometry analysis to date the smaller Buddha to between 544 C.E. and 595 C.E. and the larger Buddha to between 591 C.E. and 644 C.E. These later dates may show that the complex remained vibrant longer than scholars once thought, even after the advent of Islam in Afghanistan starting in the 7th century C.E…

For the complete article please click here to go to Science Now.

One of the great mysteries about Jesus Christ is whether he existed at all. Put aside questions of whether or not Jesus was the son of God, or even God Himself, and let’s confront the other looming question: Was Jesus Christ a historical figure who lived in ancient times, or is he a composite of many folkloric heroes throughout history and therefore never actually lived? Many scholars and religious people have grueling debates over this question, and have come up with detailed arguments in support of their claims.

Whether I agree or not, I find it very interesting to research the evidence on all sides of the argument. Below is one writer’s very in-depth interpretation of the question…

Was Jesus the reincarnation or re-invention of Mithras?
by Rudolph Boshoff

Currently from all different spheres of influence (the new atheist’s; Jesus scholars as well as he National Geographic Channel) we are experiencing a lot of ludicrous attempts to discredit the historical fact and the liable scriptural evidence of who Jesus Christ really was (and is.) Numerous attempts have been made to bring similarities between Christ and Mithras, Simon Magus and Apollonius of Tyana. The Apostles and early writers of the New Testament have been accused of Syncretism or a rampant plagiarism of old folk stories and religious qualms. One of the recent attacks from eminent theologians denies the legitimacy of Christ and the Gospel claims by using resources which is historical in context but also partial in their explanation. These sources are ancient folk lore and abridged stories to which they long to draw parallels to the historicity of Christ so they can declare Him superfluous and even unrealistic…

For the complete article click here.