I'm an atheist. I don't believe in any gods whatsoever. I no more believe in Yaweh than I do in Thor, Zeus, Ra, or Quetzalcoatl or the Thunderbird.
But, I'm always happy to see history unraveled, and things explained to iron out centuries of misunderstanding. So it is with the gospel of Judas. I first heard about it on NPR some ten years ago, or thereabouts, and thought to myself "Ah, maybe Christianity can straighten itself out now."
Well, wishful thinking is just that. Still, it's nice to see and hear the what seems to be a tale that's very much in line with the pro- humanist message of the philosophy that was transported from India's Krishna to Imperial Roman occupied Judea (and beyond).
As historical documents go, this really isn't much of one, so much as it is a document of thinking through parables of right action, or what was considered right action in a very forward thinking way.
Rome is a military oligarchy. Caesar rules with the senate suggesting policy. The days of Cincinatus, the famed Roman general who was once a farmer and then returned to his humble life once having saved Rome, are long over. The phalanx dictates policy. And this new cult is eating into the fabric of Roman society. The gods are losing power to this imported "god" with a philosophy that, like all things, taken to a breaking point, becomes unhealthy.
The Romans realize this, but fail to realize their own shortcomings, and address this cult's shortcomings unsuccessfully by ignoring their own and playing into Krishna's (Christianity's) hand. The idea was that if the people did not sacrifice chickens and other animals or things to appease the gods, then the people would ignore the teachings and fray the social fabric that held Rome together; namely the slaves.
Sound familiar?
Regardless, the story of Judas is one that has been ignorantly bastardized, and now that new scholarship has shed light on this figure, it may be that the Krishna/Christian cults can begin to get their bearings.
At least that's the final point of the piece. There's a lot of story and exposition put into the film, and a good deal of scholarly talking heads bringing up heart felt thoughts on their philosophies of both their passions and scholarship. Some good meat for those inclined to revel in the Krishna/Christian mythology.
All in all a good watch, and something interesting to listen to in the background. If you like tidbits of history, then this should entertain.
But, I'm always happy to see history unraveled, and things explained to iron out centuries of misunderstanding. So it is with the gospel of Judas. I first heard about it on NPR some ten years ago, or thereabouts, and thought to myself "Ah, maybe Christianity can straighten itself out now."
Well, wishful thinking is just that. Still, it's nice to see and hear the what seems to be a tale that's very much in line with the pro- humanist message of the philosophy that was transported from India's Krishna to Imperial Roman occupied Judea (and beyond).
As historical documents go, this really isn't much of one, so much as it is a document of thinking through parables of right action, or what was considered right action in a very forward thinking way.
Rome is a military oligarchy. Caesar rules with the senate suggesting policy. The days of Cincinatus, the famed Roman general who was once a farmer and then returned to his humble life once having saved Rome, are long over. The phalanx dictates policy. And this new cult is eating into the fabric of Roman society. The gods are losing power to this imported "god" with a philosophy that, like all things, taken to a breaking point, becomes unhealthy.
The Romans realize this, but fail to realize their own shortcomings, and address this cult's shortcomings unsuccessfully by ignoring their own and playing into Krishna's (Christianity's) hand. The idea was that if the people did not sacrifice chickens and other animals or things to appease the gods, then the people would ignore the teachings and fray the social fabric that held Rome together; namely the slaves.
Sound familiar?
Regardless, the story of Judas is one that has been ignorantly bastardized, and now that new scholarship has shed light on this figure, it may be that the Krishna/Christian cults can begin to get their bearings.
At least that's the final point of the piece. There's a lot of story and exposition put into the film, and a good deal of scholarly talking heads bringing up heart felt thoughts on their philosophies of both their passions and scholarship. Some good meat for those inclined to revel in the Krishna/Christian mythology.
All in all a good watch, and something interesting to listen to in the background. If you like tidbits of history, then this should entertain.