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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A review of the book: "Biblical Religion, the Great Lie", June 3, 2004
The newly published in English book "Biblical Religion, the Great Lie" by the author and researcher Michael Kalopoulos is a very interesting and extraordinary one! The author explains the main biblical events we are all familiar with in a novel and rational manner. Indeed, after reading this book I could not help it but view the Bible from an altogether different prospective. The book is full of original and totally unheard of interpretations of the meanings and explanations of the events described in the Bible. For instance, original and very plausible interpretations and explanations are offered about: the Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the Sacrifice of Isaac, Joseph's Dreams, the Plagues of Egypt, the Exodus from Egypt, the Crossing of the Red Sea, the various actions and preaching of many prophets etc. Also, I was very astonished by the depth of the analysis and the justification provided, for these events. The narrative brings up many illusive elements to the attention of the reader, documenting in detail the role of sorcery, deception, plagiarism, use of poisons, narcotic plants and substances etc in social and religious developments. Visiting the author's personal website at www.greatlie.com is also very much worthy and highly recommended. Reading his essays and unpublished work sheds a lot of light in these important topics. Notably, you can see there an original explanation of the miracle of the "Burning Bush" along with a prototype of the Bush, made of clay by the author himself, that can provide a quite convincing explanation of this "miracle"! So, this new book is a very significant one on this controversial and important subject in our lives. It is indeed a breakthrough in religious criticism and beyond. I recommend it wholeheartedly! Ioannis, M. Roussos
Professor Dr. of mathematics
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Biblical Religion: The Great Lie, April 19, 2004
Boy, this is an interesting book sure to ignite a lot of controversy especially amongst fundamentalists of any religious stripe. Kalopoulos puts forth the audacious theory that Abraham and his descendents were Chaldean magicians of great cunning and skill, who used various potions and chemistry tricks to influence "kings and nations". From Abraham's escape from the furnaces of Ur, through to the prophecies of Joseph and Daniel, and the burning bush of Moses: all are exposed as tricks perpetrated on an unsuspecting and gullible populace. Kalopoulos explains the tricks very plausibly using scientific data about psychoactive plants and naturally occurring substances which could be used to create illusions and delusions. He suggests that the early Jews performed these tricks with theatrical skill in order to create fear of a "vengeful God" who could then offer salvation. For scientists and skeptics, this book will be a fascinating read. For the faithful, the book will likely serve as provocation to outrage. After all, it attacks the underpinnings of the three great monotheistic religions of our times. But perhaps it's time to take a skeptics' view. The legacy of the tribes of Abraham in modern times is one of bloodshed, intolerance and hatred. Perhaps it is based on illusion after all. It certainly doesn't seem to be based on love.
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating trip back through time, September 17, 2004
I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in history, religion and cultic groups.
I became interested in the Bible after encountering a very destructive Bible based cult in Korea led by a wanted rapist who of course claims to be the Messiah. I became fascinated at how the Bible was so easily and effectively used by the cult as a tool for manipulation and control. It amazed me how such a blatant criminal was able to use the Bible to gather followers and victims. I began looking at ways to refute the group's biblical teachings and that led me to reading the bible and books about it.
"Don't Know Much About The Bible" by Kenneth C Davies and "Who Wrote The Bible?" by Richard Elliot Friedman are books that I would highly recommend.
Plus a wealth of books on brainwashing and cultic groups, which I think would also be of interest to readers of The Great Lie. The subject is very much related, the tools modern day cults use today haven't changed too much over the past few thousand years.
"People Who Play God" by Beth E Peterson
"Combatting Cult Mind Control" by Steven Hassasn
"Cults In Our Midst" by Margaret Thaler Singer
"Influence: The Psychology of Persuassion" by Robert B. Cialdini, PHD
Michael's book was by far the most entertaining of the bible books I have read.
At times it really is a page turner, particularly his theories on Moses and the flight from Egypt. I found his writings to be absolutely fascinating and of course more believable than the "miracles of God" accounts of the Old Testament.
What really stood out for me was what a focused and logical mind Michael has.
His critical and logical thinking skills are really extraordinary and a gift to us all.
It's a pity that the mad Irish priest who interrupted the Athens' Olympic Marathon hadn't read The Great Lie.
Finally, Michael's book also sparked my interest in the mythologies of Ancient Greece. I'd also like to recommend "Mythology" by Edith Hamilton. It's a great book to read after Michael's since it describes many of the myths he refers to.
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