Shadows in the Light of God

Shadows in the Light of God traces the history of inspired spiritual movements as they turn into corrupt religious institutions through pious fraud and political ambitions, with archaic remnants that were shaped by the land and cultures in which they arose - from animists to matriarchies to 21st century patriarchal establishments. This is an expose' of the shadow side of dominant religious institutions, as well as a plea for adherents of any tradition to return to their spiritual roots and resist the temptation toward worldly ambitions that have grievously wounded humanity and nature. It may be the heresies that ultimately save us. Topics includeHistories of Mediterranean-derived religions that begin with an inspired spiritual experience, grow into a social movement shaped by land and culture, and become a religious institution that betrays the original inspiration in its political ambitionsDifferences between hunter-gatherer and agricultural societies and the religions they developedThe piecemeal writing and political editing of the Old and New TestamentsHow each new religion (including Judaism and Christianity) was built on previous traditions that they then denyEgyptian origins of monotheismHow monotheism grew with monarchy and empiresGenuine and counterfeit monotheismCommon dying and resurrected gods, virgin birthsRoman Empire's shaping of early ChristianityDistinguishing between the religion of Jesus/Yeshua from the religions about himPious fraudsThe evolution of consciousness from identification with nature to objectification and alienation that resulted in the exploitation of women, children, nature, and vulnerable populationsThe influence of the personal and collective "shadow" and psychological "projection" shape ideologies and religious practicesWounds to individuals and society created by baneful ideologiesSimilar forces shaping our religion and politics in 21st century AmericaHumanity's yearning for spiritual experience and the social forces of belonging that can either support such experience or suppress itA call for all people of faith to return to their spiritual roots