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{{AfDM|page=Acharya S (2nd nomination)|date=2008 June 26|substed=yes|origtag=afdx}}
{{AfDM|page=Acharya S (3rd nomination)|date=2009 December 28|substed=yes|origtag=afdx}}
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'''Acharya S''' is the [[pen name]] of '''Dorothy Murdock''', an author and proponent of the [[Christ myth theory]]. She has authored three books and operates a website named ''Truth be Known''. She believes [[Christianity]] is founded on earlier [[myths]] and the characters depicted in Christianity are based upon Roman, Greek, Egyptian, and other myths.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.truthbeknown.com/christ.htm |title="The Christ Conspiracy - Home" |accessdate=2009-09-11}}</ref>
[[Image:Replace this image female.svg|right]]
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'''Acharya S''' is the [[pen name]] of D.M. Murdock, a controversial author and proponent of the [[Jesus myth hypothesis]]. She has authored three books and operates a website named ''Truth be Known.'' She believes religions are founded on earlier [[myths]] and the characters depicted in [[Christianity]], especially, are based upon Roman, Greek, Egyptian, and other myths.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.truthbeknown.com/christ.htm|title="The Christ Conspiracy - Home"}}</ref>


==Books==
==Works==
In 1999, Acharya published her first book, ''The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold,'' (ISBN 978-0932813749) arguing the concept of [[Jesus Christ]] as myth. She states the [[Christ]] story is a fabrication based on earlier [[paganism|pagan]] mythology.
In 1999, Acharya published her first book, ''The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold,''<ref>(ISBN 978-0932813749)</ref> arguing the concept of [[Jesus Christ]] as myth. She states the [[Christ]] story is a fabrication based on earlier [[paganism|pagan]] mythology.


In 2001, Acharya wrote the forward to a new edition of [[Kersey Graves]]'s ''The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviours: Christianity Before Christ''<ref>(ISBN 093281395X)</ref>.
⚫
A follow-up book, ''Suns of God: Krishna, Buddha and Christ Unveiled,'' (ISBN 978-1931882316) was published in 2004. Acharya comments on the [[Hindu]] story of the life of [[Krishna]], as well as the life of [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] (Siddhartha Gautama). She claims parallels to the Christian stories of the life of [[Jesus]], evidence that the story of Jesus was written based on existing stories, and not the life of a real man. ''Suns of God'' (with a foreword by author and theologian [[W. Sumner Davis]] ) also seeks to address some of the criticisms leveled at ''Christ Conspiracy''.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}


⚫
A follow-up book, ''Suns of God: Krishna, Buddha and Christ Unveiled,'' <ref>(ISBN 978-1931882316)</ref> was published in 2004. Acharya comments on the [[Hindu]] story of the life of [[Krishna]], as well as the life of [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] (Siddhartha Gautama). She claims parallels to the Christian stories of the life of [[Jesus]] as evidence that the story of Jesus was written based on existing stories, and not the life of a real man. ''Suns of God'' (with a foreword by author and theologian [[W. Sumner Davis]]) also seeks to address some of the criticisms leveled at ''Christ Conspiracy''.<ref>{{cite web|title=IG: Acharya S - 2nd Appearance - Suns of God|url=http://infidelguy.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=197447|date=2001|publisher=The Infidel Guy|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref>
⚫
Her latest book, ''Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of The Christ'' (ISBN 978-0979963100) continues the theme of her first book by expanding her theory questioning the [[Historicity of Jesus Christ|historical validity of Jesus Christ]] revealing "early Christian history to be largely mythical, by sorting through available historical and archaeological data."
⚫
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bigg.net/n94604-Stellar_House_Publishing_Releases_Who_Was_Jesus_Fingerprints_of_The_Christ_for_Worldwide_Distribution.html|title="Stellar House Publishing Releases 'Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of The Christ' for Worldwide Distribution"}}</ref>


⚫
Her 2007 book, ''Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of The Christ''<ref>(ISBN 978-0979963100)</ref> continues the theme of ''The Christ Conspiracy'' by expanding her theory questioning the [[Historicity of Jesus Christ|historical validity of Jesus Christ]] alleging "early Christian history to be largely mythical, by sorting through available historical and archaeological data."
Her work was used extensively in the movie [[Zeitgeist_movie|Zeitgeist]]. She also acted as consultant for the movie. <ref>http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/sources.htm</ref>
⚫
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bigg.net/n94604-Stellar_House_Publishing_Releases_Who_Was_Jesus_Fingerprints_of_The_Christ_for_Worldwide_Distribution.html|title="Stellar House Publishing Releases 'Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of The Christ' for Worldwide Distribution"}}</ref> In 2009 she released ''Christ in Egypt: The Horus-Jesus Connection'' (ISBN 0979963117) and ''The Gospel According to Acharya S''.<ref>http://stellarhousepublishing.com/gospel.html</ref>


Her work was used extensively in the movie ''[[Zeitgeist movie|Zeitgeist]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/transcript.htm|title=Zeitgeist: The Movie - Interactive Transcript|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref> She also acted as consultant for the movie.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/sources.htm|title=Zeitgeist: The Movie - Credits|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref>
==Claims about Christianity==
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Acharya describes the [[New Testament]] as a work of [[mythology|mythic]] fiction within a historical setting. The story of Christ, she maintains, is a retelling of various pagan myths, representing ''"astro-theology,"'' or the [[solar deity|story of the Sun]]. She asserts the pagans understood the stories to be myths, but Christians obliterated evidence to the contrary by destroying and controlling literature when they attained control of the [[Roman Empire]]. This led to widespread [[illiteracy]] in the ancient world, ensuring the mythical nature of Christ's story was hidden. Scholars of other sects continued to oppose the authenticating a mythological figure.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}


⚫
In her various books, Acharya describes the [[New Testament]] as a work of [[mythology|mythic]] fiction within a historical setting. She claims that the story of Jesus Christ is a retelling of various pagan myths, representing ''"[[astrotheology]],"'' or the [[solar deity|story of the Sun]], and also incorporates the science of [[archaeoastronomy]]. She asserts the pagans understood the stories to be myths, but Christians obliterated evidence to the contrary by destroying and controlling literature when they attained control of the [[Roman Empire]], which led to widespread [[illiteracy]] in the ancient world, ensuring the mythical nature of Christ's story was hidden.
⚫
Acharya compares Jesus' history to other "Saviour gods" such as [[Mithraism|Mithra]], [[Horus]], [[Adonis]], [[Krishna]], [[Quetzalcoatl]], and [[Odin]], claiming the similarities result from a common source: the myth of the sun-god or solar deity.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}


⚫
Acharya compares Jesus' history to other "Saviour gods" such as [[Mithraism|Mithra]], [[Horus]], [[Adonis]], [[Krishna]], [[Quetzalcoatl]], and [[Odin]], claiming the similarities result from a common source: the myth of the sun-god or solar deity.<ref name=pm />
In ''The Christ Conspiracy,'' Acharya notes the [[Allegory|allegorical]] parallels between the story of Christ and the story of the solar deity: <blockquote>"The sun 'dies' for three days at the winter solstice, to be born again or resurrected on December 25th...The sun enters into each sign of the zodiac at 30 [degrees]; hence, the 'Sun of God' begins his ministry at 'age' 30."</blockquote>


==Author's background==
==Life==
According to her website, Acharya is [[classics|classically educated]] in [[archaeology]], history, [[mythology]], and languages. Her formal training includes a [[Bachelor of Liberal Arts]] degree in [[Classics]], Greek Civilization, from [[Franklin and Marshall College]]. She also attended the [[American School of Classical Studies at Athens]] in [[Greece]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://truthbeknown.com/author.htm|title=Who is Acharya S?|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref>
According to her website, Acharya received a [[Bachelor of Liberal Arts]] degree in [[Classics]], Greek Civilization, from [[Franklin and Marshall College]]. She also attended the [[American School of Classical Studies at Athens]] in [[Greece]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://truthbeknown.com/author.htm|title=Who is Acharya S?|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref>


Acharya served briefly as a fellow of The [[Council for Secular Humanism]]'s [[Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion]] (CSER).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=main&page=CSER|title=CSER Home / CSER's Mission / JSER / Conference 2005-06|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref>
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Acharya has been interviewed on a variety of radio stations,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://truthbeknown.com/radio.htm|title=Acharya S in the Media|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> including the [[Alan Colmes|Alan Colmes Show]] and the [[Jeff Rense|Jeff Rense Show]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rense.com/about/GUESTSLINKS.htm|title=Jeff Rense - Past Guests/Links|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> She also appears on less well known podcasts, such as Black Ops Radio.<ref>{{cite web|title=Black Op Radio, Show #351 Part 3 - Acharya S Episode|url=http://www.trumix.com/podshows/2174976|date=2007-12-07|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref>


==Reviews==
==Reception==
[[Robert M. Price]] has reviewed ''The Christ Conspiracy'' for "[[Free Inquiry]]"<ref>{{cite journal|last=Price|first=Robert M.|title=Aquarian Skeptic|publisher=[[Free Inquiry]]|date=Summer 2001|volume=21|issue=3|pages=66-67}}</ref> and reviewed ''Suns of God'' for "The Journal of Higher Criticism".{{fact|date=June 2008}} [[Earl Doherty]] has also [http://jesuspuzzle.humanists.net/BkrvTCC.htm reviewed] ''The Christ Conspiracy''. [[Richard Carrier]] wrote an article in response to her work.<ref>[http://www.frontline-apologetics.com/Luxor_Inscription.html Brunner's Gottkoenigs & the Nativity of Jesus: A Brief Communication] by Richard C. Carrier (2004)</ref>
Acharya's positions have received a wide spectrum of criticism including those by [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] [[Michael R. Licona|Mike Licona]],<ref>{{cite web|title=A Refutation of Acharya S's book, ''The Christ Conspiracy''|url=http://www.answeringinfidels.com/answering-skeptics/answering-acharya-s/a-refutation-of-archary-ss-book-the-christ-conspiracy-pt-1.html|last=Licona|first=Mike|date=2001|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref> and James Patrick Holding<ref>{{cite web|last=Holding|first=James Patrick|title=Gospel Gossip: A Refutation to Acharya S on the Gospels|url=http://www.tektonics.org/af/achygosp.html|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref> as well as sceptics such as [[Bart Ehrman]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Barrett|first=David V.|title=The Gospel According to Bart|url=http://www.quango.net/ekklesia/wcghistory/topsecret/barterhman.html|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref> [[Richard Carrier]]<ref>[http://www.frontline-apologetics.com/Luxor_Inscription.html Brunner's Gottkoenigs & the Nativity of Jesus: A Brief Communication] by Richard C. Carrier (2004)</ref> and [[Robert M. Price]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Price|first=Robert M.|title=Aquarian Skeptic|publisher=''[[Free Inquiry]]''|date=Summer 2001|volume=21|issue=3|pages=66–67}}</ref>

⚫
The book''The Christ Conspiracy'' has received a favourable review by Christ myther [[Earl Doherty]].<ref>[http://jesuspuzzle.humanists.net/BkrvTCC.htm Doherty, Earl. "THE CHRIST CONSPIRACY" Jesus Puzzle]</ref>Acharya has been interviewed on a variety of radio stations,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://truthbeknown.com/radio.htm|title=Acharya S in the Media|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> including the [[Alan Colmes|Alan Colmes Show]] and the [[Jeff Rense|Jeff Rense Show]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rense.com/about/GUESTSLINKS.htm|title=Jeff Rense - Past Guests/Links|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> She also appears on less well known podcasts, such as Black Ops Radio.<ref>{{cite web|title=Black Op Radio, Show #351 Part 3 - Acharya S Episode|url=http://www.trumix.com/podshows/2174976|date=2007-12-07|accessdate=2008-07-01}}</ref> She has been interviewed in ''[[Paranoia (magazine)|Paranoia]]'' magazine<ref name=pm>{{cite web|last=Fox|first=Storm|title=Man's Inhumanity to Man: An Interview with Acharya S|url=http://www.paranoiamagazine.com/acharayas.html|accessdate=2008-08-01|publisher=''[[Paranoia (magazine)|Paranoia]]''}}</ref> and by ''The Progressive Observer''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Good Shepherd Part II: Revelations|url=http://www.progressiveobserver.com/arts/theobservation/|accessdate=2008-08-01}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Acharya]]
* [[Historicity of Jesus]]
* [[Anthropology of religion]]
* [[Christ myth theory]]
* [[Earl Doherty]]
* [[Bible conspiracy theory]]
* [[Jordan Maxwell]]

== Notes ==
⚫
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.truthbeknown.com/ Truth be Known Acharya S' web site]
*[http://www.truthbeknown.com/ Truth be Known Acharya S' web site]
*[http://tbknews.blogspot.com/ Acharya S' blog]
*[http://www.stellarhousepublishing.com/ebooks.html Stellar Publishing House]
*[http://www.stellarhousepublishing.com/ebooks.html Stellar Publishing House]
*[http://freethoughtnation.com/ Free Thought Nation] News site / blog by Acharya S
*[http://www.paranoiamagazine.com/acharayas.html Interview with Acharya S in ''Paranoia Magazine'']
*[http://www.paranoiamagazine.com/acharayas.html Interview with Acharya S in ''Paranoia Magazine'']
*[http://www.consciousmedianetwork.com/members/acharya.htm Video interview with Acharya S on ''Conscious Media Network'']


== References ==
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[[Category:Religious philosophy and doctrine]]
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{{reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Murdock, Writings Of D.M.}}
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[[Category:Christ myth]]

[[ja:アーチャーリャ・S]]

Revision as of 22:57, 28 December 2009

Acharya S is the pen name of Dorothy Murdock, an author and proponent of the Christ myth theory. She has authored three books and operates a website named Truth be Known. She believes Christianity is founded on earlier myths and the characters depicted in Christianity are based upon Roman, Greek, Egyptian, and other myths.[1]

Works

In 1999, Acharya published her first book, The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold,[2] arguing the concept of Jesus Christ as myth. She states the Christ story is a fabrication based on earlier pagan mythology.

In 2001, Acharya wrote the forward to a new edition of Kersey Graves's The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviours: Christianity Before Christ[3].

A follow-up book, Suns of God: Krishna, Buddha and Christ Unveiled, [4] was published in 2004. Acharya comments on the Hindu story of the life of Krishna, as well as the life of Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama). She claims parallels to the Christian stories of the life of Jesus as evidence that the story of Jesus was written based on existing stories, and not the life of a real man. Suns of God (with a foreword by author and theologian W. Sumner Davis) also seeks to address some of the criticisms leveled at Christ Conspiracy.[5]

Her 2007 book, Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of The Christ[6] continues the theme of The Christ Conspiracy by expanding her theory questioning the historical validity of Jesus Christ alleging "early Christian history to be largely mythical, by sorting through available historical and archaeological data." [7] In 2009 she released Christ in Egypt: The Horus-Jesus Connection (ISBN 0979963117) and The Gospel According to Acharya S.[8]

Her work was used extensively in the movie Zeitgeist.[9] She also acted as consultant for the movie.[10]

In her various books, Acharya describes the New Testament as a work of mythic fiction within a historical setting. She claims that the story of Jesus Christ is a retelling of various pagan myths, representing "astrotheology," or the story of the Sun, and also incorporates the science of archaeoastronomy. She asserts the pagans understood the stories to be myths, but Christians obliterated evidence to the contrary by destroying and controlling literature when they attained control of the Roman Empire, which led to widespread illiteracy in the ancient world, ensuring the mythical nature of Christ's story was hidden.

Acharya compares Jesus' history to other "Saviour gods" such as Mithra, Horus, Adonis, Krishna, Quetzalcoatl, and Odin, claiming the similarities result from a common source: the myth of the sun-god or solar deity.[11]

Author's background

According to her website, Acharya received a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree in Classics, Greek Civilization, from Franklin and Marshall College. She also attended the American School of Classical Studies at Athens in Greece.[12]

Acharya served briefly as a fellow of The Council for Secular Humanism's Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion (CSER).[13]

Reception

Acharya's positions have received a wide spectrum of criticism including those by Christian apologists Mike Licona,[14] and James Patrick Holding[15] as well as sceptics such as Bart Ehrman,[16] Richard Carrier[17] and Robert M. Price.[18]

The bookThe Christ Conspiracy has received a favourable review by Christ myther Earl Doherty.[19]Acharya has been interviewed on a variety of radio stations,[20] including the Alan Colmes Show and the Jeff Rense Show.[21] She also appears on less well known podcasts, such as Black Ops Radio.[22] She has been interviewed in Paranoia magazine[11] and by The Progressive Observer.[23]

See also

References

  1. ^ ""The Christ Conspiracy - Home"". Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  2. ^ (ISBN 978-0932813749)
  3. ^ (ISBN 093281395X)
  4. ^ (ISBN 978-1931882316)
  5. ^ "IG: Acharya S - 2nd Appearance - Suns of God". The Infidel Guy. 2001. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  6. ^ (ISBN 978-0979963100)
  7. ^ ""Stellar House Publishing Releases 'Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of The Christ' for Worldwide Distribution"".
  8. ^ http://stellarhousepublishing.com/gospel.html
  9. ^ "Zeitgeist: The Movie - Interactive Transcript". Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  10. ^ "Zeitgeist: The Movie - Credits". Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  11. ^ a b Fox, Storm. "Man's Inhumanity to Man: An Interview with Acharya S". Paranoia. Retrieved 2008-08-01. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "Who is Acharya S?". Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  13. ^ "CSER Home / CSER's Mission / JSER / Conference 2005-06". Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  14. ^ Licona, Mike (2001). "A Refutation of Acharya S's book, The Christ Conspiracy". Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  15. ^ Holding, James Patrick. "Gospel Gossip: A Refutation to Acharya S on the Gospels". Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  16. ^ Barrett, David V. "The Gospel According to Bart". Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  17. ^ Brunner's Gottkoenigs & the Nativity of Jesus: A Brief Communication by Richard C. Carrier (2004)
  18. ^ Price, Robert M. (Summer 2001). "Aquarian Skeptic". 21 (3). Free Inquiry: 66–67. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ Doherty, Earl. "THE CHRIST CONSPIRACY" Jesus Puzzle
  20. ^ "Acharya S in the Media". Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  21. ^ "Jeff Rense - Past Guests/Links". Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  22. ^ "Black Op Radio, Show #351 Part 3 - Acharya S Episode". 2007-12-07. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
  23. ^ "The Good Shepherd Part II: Revelations". Retrieved 2008-08-01.
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