Tuesday, October 15, 2013

The Importance of the Gospel of Thomas - the forbidden gospel.

What is the importance of the Forbidden Gospel?

Where did the Gospel of Thomas come from?

We have known about the existence of an early Christian gospel named the Gospel of Thomas since the early third century because it is mentioned by Hippolytus, who even quotes an elaborate recension of saying 4. In the late 1800s, Professors Grenfell and Hunt dug up a hoard of papyri in Oxyrhyncus, Egypt. Three of these Greek papyri fragments are pages of the Gospel of Thomas, although their identification as such was not made certain until the 1950s when a full Coptic version was noticed among another papyri find from 1945 near Nag Hammadi, Egypt. This latter find was a cache of leather bound books - we have twelve of the books and part of the thirteenth - and these are housed today in Old Cairo at the beautiful Coptic Museum. The three Oxyrhynchus fragments are housed today at Harvard, Oxford, and British Library.


How does the Gospel of Thomas compare to the New Testament gospels?

The Gospel of Thomas is quite different from the New Testament gospels in that it is a gospel of sayings of Jesus. Most sayings are introduced with the simple attribution "Jesus said," one listed after the other. Narrative is practically absent from the Gospel of Thomas, at least in terms of the type of narrative details and elaborate settings for the sayings that we find in the New Testament gospels. In this way, the Gospel of Thomas is closer in genre to the reconstructed Q, the synoptic sayings source that has been postulated as a major literary source for Matthew and Luke. The Gospel of Thomas is not Q, but it does represent the type of gospel that Q might have been.

There are a number of sayings of Jesus that we find in the synoptic gospels that have parallels (although in different recensions) in the Gospel of Thomas. There are several sayings in Thomas that have parallels in John, but on the level of thematic allusions rather than direct recensions. And there are a number of sayings in the Gospel of Thomas that are unique, unparalleled in the New Testament gospels.

What is Thomas' relationship to the New Testament Gospels?

Since the discovery and translation of the Gospel of Thomas in the 1950s, scholars have mainly been in two camps on this. Either they argue that Thomas is a gospel that was based on the New Testament gospels and "perverted" the sayings to meet some heretical theological agenda, or they argue that Thomas is a gospel that was independent from the New Testament gospels and preserved sayings of Jesus from an early Jewish Christian literary source or from early oral tradition. There are good (and bad) arguments for both cases, and essentially the field is at a stalemate on the question.

My own work is trying to get us past this, to think about it in different terms. If the Gospel of Thomas is a text that was very old and grew over time, then we probably have a complicated relationship to the New Testament gospels. On the one hand we would expect some of the sayings in the Gospel of Thomas to represent early independent traditions, before the Synoptics were even written. But as the Gospel of Thomas was adapted over time, its sayings naturally would be adjusted to the knowledge of other texts and to the memory of other texts. Add to this the fact that scribes when copying and translating texts into new languages felt quite free to alter the wording to fit more precisely their knowledge and memory of other texts, and we have a very complex situation of secondary orality and scribal adaptation. By the way, we find all of these operational in the Gospel of Thomas I think.

So what this means is that arguments for dependence aren't going to cut it anymore. We have before us the difficult task of figuring out what type of dependence we are talking about, alongside the acknowledgment that dependence in our late document does not necessarily mean dependence of the original Gospel of Thomas on the Synoptics.

Is the Gospel of Thomas Gnostic?

The quick answer to this is "no." The esotericism in this gospel has been misunderstood and mislabeled from the very beginning of its interpretative history. The reason for this has to do with the fact that until the Nag Hammadi texts were found, we didn't know what Gnostic really was. Scholars tended to apply it very loosely to any text or tradition that they believed to be dualistic and anti-world or body, which expressed the opinion that within the human being was "light" redeemable through gnosis or knowledge. After studying the Nag Hammadi texts for fifty years, we now realize that this is a nonsense definition because it is so broad as to be useless. Gnostic mythology has a couple of distinctive features: the belief that this world was created by a lesser (ignorant or arrogant) being known as the Demiurge; and the belief that this world is the result of the fall of an Aeon from the Godhead, usually Sophia. Neither of these are found in the Gospel of Thomas.

Instead the esotericism in the Gospel of Thomas is a form of early Christian mysticism. It was a contemplative type of Christianity that grew in Syria as well as Alexandria. The idea was that each person had the choice to grow into God's Image or to remain stunted due to Adam's decision. If the person chose to grow, then the divinization process was gradual and included not only ritual activities like baptism and eucharist, but also instructional and contemplative activities. Part of the process then was living as Jesus lived - it was imitative. The other part was contemplating who and where Jesus was. This contemplative life led to heavenly (or interiorized) journeys and visions of God. Eventually the faithful would become like Jesus, replacing their fallen image with the image of God. This contemplative Christianity is not heretical, but an early form of eastern orthodoxy!

Why wasn't the Gospel of Thomas included in the New Testament?

The process of the canonization of the New Testament was long and involved. It took almost four hundred years. The date we traditionally give to its closure is 367 CE, when Bishop Athanasius of Alexandria records the books in the NT as being those we have in it today. There are many reasons for Thomas' exclusion, not the least among them political - it was a text that in the third century was used by the Naassene Gnostics (who rewrote it for their own purposes) and the Manichaean Gnostics (who used it liberally in their liturgies). Once a text began to be used by a heretical group, it became suspicious, especially if this happened in the third or fourth centuries. Texts included had to have:

- apostolic connections - something Thomas had
- be used in liturgy across the Mediterranean world - which Thomas wasn't, since it was a distinctive Syrian text with some distribution in Egypt
- predate 150 CE - which Thomas did
- support the theology of the framers of the canon - which Thomas didn't, since it was anti-marriage and pro-mysticism or "revelatory"

Given its use by at least two heretical groups in the third century, its emphasis on seeking new revelation, its stance against marriage and procreation, and its limited distribution and use in liturgy, it didn't have a chance to become part of the New Testament.

What does the Gospel of Thomas tell us about Jesus?

This gospel understands Jesus to be a charismatic figure. By this I mean, Jesus continues to live in their community even after he has died. His spirit continues to speak to this community of faithful, and they continue to record his teachings. They do not appear to have made any distinction between the "historical" Jesus before death and the "spirit" Jesus after death, at least in terms of authority or historicity of his words. The Jesus that emerges in the Gospel of Thomas is not entirely foreign to the New Testament portrayals, particularly as we see him emerge in the Gospel of John - but also, as we see him in Mark, teaching publicly to the crowds and privately his mysteries to a few close followers. His message is either similar to the New Testament Jesus, or contiguous with him. He teaches against carnality and succumbing to bodily desire. He's an advocate for celibacy. He preaches that the Kingdom of God is here, that people must make a choice whether to enter it or not, that this choice requires an exclusive commitment to him and God, that the going is tough and few will be able to make it. He demands a lifestyle of righteous living, promises rewards including personal transformation and revelation.

Which phrases were quoted in the novel, 'INTELLIGENCE CODE'?


INTELLIGENCE CODE #52

[Gospel of Thomas - What Saint Thomas learned from Jesus/ Yeshua]

"Okay, let me recite his teachings a little bit more. Issa emphasized inner awakening rather than external flamboyance or attractiveness because outer shape could easily delude and daze your mind very easily. Issa also said, 

 'Wretched is the body that is dependant upon a body, and wretched is the soul that is dependent on these two.'
 
[The Gospel of Thomas No.111,The Nag Hammadi Library Version, http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/gthlamb.html ]


 He also emphasized the awakening of your self. He answered his disciple's question of when the kingdom will come: 

 “It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'here it is' or 'there it is.' Rather, the kingdom of the father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it. 
 [The Gospel of Thomas No.113, Ibid.]


   Indeed, Saint Thomas deeply understood the inner awakening as well as faith and sincerity toward God. After then, Saint Thomas left for South East India to follow Yeshua's will to evangelize more Indian people.  




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In this section where the phrases of the Gospel of Thomas were quoted, it is possible to see how our internal awakening was emphasized by Jesus through Saint Thomas. Similarly, some phrases of Luke and Matthew show how much Jesus emphasized our inner awakening rather than outer commandment or order from Yahweh, or God. 

In the novel, INTELLIGENCE CODE, I tried to liberate the meaning of Bible with a wider scope as well as to overcome the politically limited meaning of Judaism, so called under the political scheme of Zionism.
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Aren't there any more forbidden and hidden gospels in the word?? Maybe one of Mary Magdalene?


This article was written based on the April DeConick' article on http://forbiddengospels.blogspot.ca/p/gospel-of-thomas.html



Monday, October 14, 2013

Bible phrases quoted in the novel 'INTELLIGENCE CODE' and their Meanings.

In the novel, 'INTELLIGENCE CODE', several Bible phrases were quoted to explain the background of the Haredi's prophecy, to be known as what was told by the prophet, Yuz Asaf.



In the novel, Yuz Asaf is the same prophet as Yeshua, who is also the same figure with Jesus Christ from Christianity.

Moreover, in the novel, Marry Magdalene appeared as one of the primary apostles after Yeshua was saved by Joseph of Arimathea from the Roman's crucifixion trial on Jesus. Jesus was injured but saved, and then he was treated by Marry Magdalene in the Chapter #49 of 'INTELLIGENCE CODE'.


Let's see which Bible phrases were quoted in the specific novel parts: the blue coloured texts are the novel parts and the dark red ones are the Bible ones:


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INTELLIGENCE CODE #35
[About Jesus Private Life from his 12 to 30 - Where Jesus was and what he did?]

"... Do you know what he did and where he was during the time? Well, there have been many theories, but no one knows exactly what he did because the New Testament compilers and editors, probably Roman Catholics, didn't want to let others know about Jesus' private life..."

[Inside the Endnote]
"And Jesus increased wisdom and 'stature' and in favor with God and Man." [The Gospel of Luke 2-3, http://www.biblegateway.com/]





INTELLIGENCE CODE #39
[What Jesus learned and what he enlightened from his practice in India]

   Through his meditating on himself for several months, Yeshua finally realized his faith to God lies in himself. There is no difference or discrimination in awakening yourself, becoming into the ultimate 'Oneness'.

 “Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst. [Luke 17, 20-21, Ibid.]

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness![Matthew 6, 22-23, Ibid.] 





INTELLIGENCE CODE #50

[Jesus' Description of New Jerusalem in Kashmir/ Accompanied by Saint Thomas]

   Before Yeshua was leaving for Kashmir, he appeared in front of the disciples and ate with them, demonstrating his flesh and bones, displaying he was not a ghost. 

See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.[Luke 24:39, Ibid.]

   Yeshua showed up at a church at the Golgotha Hill, and tried to persuade people to leave Israel for a new kingdom. However, they thought Yeshua meant to go to heaven, near Yahweh because Yeshua's description of Kashmir was so perfectly beautiful, peaceful, and dream like. Also, Yeshua couldn't explain where he was going and asked them to join directly because the Romans could chase after them. Yeshua described Kashmir as a new heaven:

 Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'  He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. [Revelation 21, 1-5, Ibid.] 

   Most of his followers including apostles didn't understanding his meaning; only Saint Thomas understood what Yeshua meant.






INTELLIGENCE CODE #52

[Gospel of Thomas - What Saint Thomas learned from Jesus/ Yeshua]

"Okay, let me recite his teachings a little bit more. Issa emphasized inner awakening rather than external flamboyance or attractiveness because outer shape could easily delude and daze your mind very easily. Issa also said, 

 'Wretched is the body that is dependant upon a body, and wretched is the soul that is dependent on these two.'
 
[The Gospel of Thomas No.111,The Nag Hammadi Library Version, http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/gthlamb.html ]


 He also emphasized the awakening of your self. He answered his disciple's question of when the kingdom will come: 

 “It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'here it is' or 'there it is.' Rather, the kingdom of the father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it.
 [The Gospel of Thomas No.113, Ibid.]


   Indeed, Saint Thomas deeply understood the inner awakening as well as faith and sincerity toward God. After then, Saint Thomas left for South East India to follow Yeshua's will to evangelize more Indian people.  




---


In this section where the phrases of the Gospel of Thomas were quoted, it is possible to see how our internal awakening was emphasized by Jesus through Saint Thomas. Similarly, some phrases of Luke and Matthew show how much Jesus emphasized our inner awakening rather than outer commandment or order from Yahweh, or God. 

In the novel, INTELLIGENCE CODE, I tried to liberate the meaning of Bible with a wider scope as well as to overcome the politically limited meaning of Judaism, so called under the political scheme of Zionism.




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Sunday, October 13, 2013

Artists Working For Free - Book Covers, Logos, and so on

Originally posted - http://www.bubblews.com/news/1324911-artists-working-for-free



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Submitted by BelindaPepper on October 12th, 2013 – Flag this news as inappropriate
Category: Art

I understand that art is in one of those "hard to classify" categories. People still can't work out whether artistic ability is some sort of freakish gift bestowed upon a minority at birth, or if it's something people learn through practice and perseverance. It's also difficult to judge the quality or creative merit of artwork- after all, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", right? How do you consistently assess work that is largely subjective? Art also isn't taken seriously- it's the subject in school least likely to give you university/college credits, and anything goes. Express yourself. There are no mistakes in art. Serious business folk need not apply- airy fairy hipsters only.

So believe me, I understand why people find it difficult to put a price tag on art. If we don't understand it, and we've been raised to believe that art isn't a serious form of work, how are we supposed to feel right about shelling out our hard-earned money for it? Scraping sixteen layers of grease off the local diner's cooker is work. Art is fun play time stuff. 

Despite the fact that most people view art as a "want" rather than a "must have", inevitably people need to hire artists at some point in their lives. Just a few scenarios:

> You need a logo for your family business. 
> You're self-publishing a book, and need a book cover.
> You need a website built, and it needs to look professional and attractive.
> You're launching an online advertising campaign, and need banner images.
> You're realising your dream to build your own computer game. You need artists (musicians, voice actors, concept artists, modellers, texture artists, etc).
> You're a songwriter, and need to find musicians to perform your work.
> You're a filmmaker, you need musicians, actors, concept artists, matte painters, modellers, texture artists, cinematographers, etc.

I'm sure if I sat here long enough, I could name an instance (or instances) where an artist is required for every industry in existence. If you really think about it, art is everywhere. It infiltrates our lives. Without artists, there wouldn't be:

> Interior design
> Computer games or software
> Television shows or movies
> Fashion
> Advertising
> Websites
> Architecture
> Products (i.e. prototype design)
> Music
> Toys
> Books

But, because art is so difficult to understand, it isn't taken seriously. Despite the fact without artists, our lives would be very boring, and very ugly.
And don't get me wrong, the discrimination isn't limited to unartistic folk. Artists themselves find it difficult to put a price tag on art. 

Despite the odds stacked against me, I'm going to try to rectify some of the misconceptions about art. The main one being:

ART ISN'T WORTH MUCH MONEY. Why should you pay for someone else's "play time"?

As a freelance artist, I'm constantly hit with clients who don't want to pay.

"The max I'm willing to pay for that image is $5, despite the fact it'll likely take you about 20 hours to complete."

"Why should I pay so much money for a logo? It's just a handful of shapes and text."

"I don't have the money to pay you your full fee, so can we work out some sort of other agreement? If I mention you on facebook, can you shave $400 off the price?"

"I want to launch this amazing product, but first I need you to work for free. Don't worry, your time will totally be worth it- this product is going to be the NEXT BIG THING. The exposure for your work will be astronomical. Who knows, if I make enough money, maybe I can throw some your way too!"

"I know I promised to money for this gig, but now that you've completed the job, I'm not sure it's 'my sorta thing'. I know you followed my directions (or lack thereof) to the letter, but this just doesn't 'do it' for me. See ya later."

"Sorry, due to the fact I'm unable to follow through on anything I start, the project isn't going ahead. So you're not getting paid for any of the work you've done. Why should I have to pay for something I can't use?"

"You're asking how much? I know you're an experienced artist who has done amazing work for huge companies, and you've got 30 years professional experience, but I have a nephew who can draw pretty good, and he would do it for a fiver. Why can't you?"

This kind of behaviour isn't limited to just my own experience. Artists are constantly fighting for the right to earn money from their work. 

View the following comic by artist Melanie Gillman:
pigeonbits.tumblr.com/post/58020496422/jeez-people-with-jobs-why-you-keep-demanding

Or this awesome youtube video produced by Scofield Editorial:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2a8TRSgzZY

Or anything on David Thorne's website or in his books:
www.27bslash6.com/p2p2.html

Before you hire an artist, think about some of the following:

> Would you go to an expensive five-star restaurant, and expect to pay the same amount for a meal as if you'd gone to KFC?

> Would you expect a surgeon to work for free, because your new plastic-surgery-improved face would be "excellent exposure" for him?
> If you changed your mind about what you wanted your house to look like half way through a build, would you expect the builder to tear the house down and rebuild it to the new design... for free?
> Would you work 48 hours per week as the manager of a major corporation for free, just because people think that kind of job would be cool and therefore should only count as "fun time"?
> Would you build a table and chair set for free as a "trial" for someone who "might" be interested in buying more furniture from you?
> Would you pay a painter just $5 to paint your entire house, just because painting "doesn't look that hard"?
> If you owned a retail store, would you get away paying your suppliers for the stock they've given you only after your store is a smashing success?

Remember, the only difference between these scenarios and working with an artist is perspective. 

Another way clients get out of paying artists for work is through what is called spec work. If you've never heard of spec work, watch this youtube video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsstOs-K7gk

Basically, spec work is when you hire an artist to do work for you, but they only get paid if you like their work. Spec work is OFTEN disguised as competitions, but there are also places (*cough*99designs*cough*) that blatantly use spec work to take advantage of starving artists (and to line the pockets of scammers too- good luck telling which is which).

But what if it's the artist who is undercharging or choosing to work for free? Does that make it right? Depends. Consider these points:

You get what you pay for: 
If an artist is charging pocket change for their work, you have to wonder why. It could be that they're not very good, and everyone and their pet monkey can tell that their work is amateurish. 
It could be that they're scamming you. They lure clients in with cheap prices, and give you stolen work, copied work, or nothing at all.

The artist is a victim of society:
They might be a brilliant artist, but they still work for less than minimum wage. This is probably because they've got low self-esteem, and/or they've spent their entire lives being taught that art isn't worth anything.

The artist has only ever worked for cheapskates:
They think the only way they'll ever make a living with art is if they work for slave wages. Why? Because cheapskates (like you?) only ever hire them if they work for less than the cost of a cup of coffee. They feel obligated to cost less than everyone else, just to get their foot in the door.

Is this the kind of environment you want to perpetuate? Remember, artists who work for free or cheap don't last very long. They can't- they have to go get a higher paying job as a kitchenhand at the local diner. They've got bills to pay, after all. This means that they don't have time to gain experience and reach pro skill levels. This means that if you stick to the cheap/free price bracket, you're only ever going to get sub-par work. 

If you need an artist for a project, have a think about how you would like to be treated. Lay off the cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, or partying for a few weeks, and you will more than likely be able to afford a professional, experienced artist. And you'll be helping to support an industry that supports society.

If you know someone who might be a cheapskate when it comes to hiring artists, please share this article with them. Maybe, just maybe, we can get folks to start treating artists like... you know... everyone else?

Saturday, October 12, 2013

7 REASONS TO WRITE AN ENTIRE 1ST DRAFT BEFORE GOING BACK TO THE BEGINNING

There are important benefits of writing a novel or memoir from beginning to end before going back and starting again. Here are seven of them that you should know.

 

1) Rather than stop and start over again and again, when you allow yourself to write a rough first draft from beginning to end, you actually finish a draft all the way through.

2) Until you write the end, you do not have a clear grasp of what comes earlier.

3) You accomplish what you set out to do.

4) Once you have a skeleton in place, you are able to stand back and “see” her story in an entirely new light

5) Until you write the entire story, you do not know the end. And until you write the end—the climax—you do not know what belongs in the beginning.

6) The less time you devote to making every word perfect in the first couple of drafts the less painful future cuts and revisions will be. Because you haven’t invested hundreds of hours going back to the beginning, you’ll be less reluctant to cut the customary thirty-five to one hundred pages that almost always get chopped from the beginning of the manuscript. The more of yourself you give to making every word perfect before moving to the next scene, the more emotionally attached you become to the words. Cutting your work is never easy, but the more you can endure the chaos of ugly prose, gaps, and missteps in the early drafts, the better.

7) One of the greatest benefits of writing a truly awful, lousy, no good first draft is that it can only get better from there.

Join Martha October 17th at 10am Pacific and learn
How to Pre-Plot & Complete a Novel or Memoir in a Month:
The Benefits of Writing a Fast Draft from Beginning to End
(a Writer’s Digest Webinar)

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About the author
Martha Alderson, aka the Plot Whisperer, is the author of the Plot Whisperer series of writing resources for authors: The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing , The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories, companion workbook to The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master (Adams Media, a division of F+W Media), Blockbuster Plots Pure & Simple (Illusion Press) and several ebooks on plot.

As an international plot consultant for writers, Martha’s clients include best-selling authors, New York editors, and Hollywood movie directors. She teaches plot workshops to novelists, memoirists, and screenwriters privately, at plot retreats, through Learning Annex, RWA, SCBWI, CWC chapter meetings, Writer’s Digest, The Writers Store and writers’ conferences where she takes writers beyond the words and into the very heart of a story.

As the founder December, International Plot Writing Month better known as PlotWriMo, Martha manages the award-winning blog for writers: The Plot Whisperer which has been awarded honors as a top writing advice blog by Writers Digest 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. Her vlog, How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay  covers 27 steps to plotting your story from beginning to end and playlists to help writers create a compelling plot for their novels, memoirs and screenplays. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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Originally posted at http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/7-reasons-to-write-an-entire-1st-draft-before-going-back-to-the-beginning

There are new reviews updated for 'INTELLIGENCE CODE' on Amazon.com!

You can check the updated reviews if you click the image!



Thank you so much reviewers!

Friday, October 11, 2013

Introducing 'Authors' Sharing Reviews' google plus community.

Introducing 'Authors' Sharing Reviews' google plus community. 




Authors, let's share our reviews for each other!

This community is for authors to exchange their reviews to promote our own books. 

Authors can help authors! Please keep the give-and-take rules for mutual benefits! 

Also, let's enjoy our unlimited promotions for ourselves! :)

Check this link - https://plus.google.com/communities/117479960881180925123

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

A Unique Novel with Complex Sci-Fi themes, 'INTELLIGENCE CODE'

Let me introduce my novel, 'INTELLIGENCE CODE'  in terms of its various S.F. themes.
What if you found a Sci-Fi story with various themes with 'alternate history' + 'religious conspiracy?' + 'magical realism' +'military intelligence' fictional elements.
To summarize, I can explain my novel, 'INTELLIGENCE CODE' by listing the various themes as below:

1. a fictional aspect of #alternatehistory:
* What is 'Alternate History'? - 'What if' Questions and Answers

"Alternate history or alternative reality is a genre of fiction consisting of stories that are set in worlds in which one or more historical events unfolds differently than it did in the real world. It can be variously seen as a sub-genre of literary fiction, science fiction, and historical fiction; different alternate history works may use tropes from any or all of these genres. It is sometimes abbreviated AH. Another occasionally used term for the genre is "allohistory" (literally "other history").See also Fictional universe.
Since the 1950s, this type of fiction has to a large extent merged with science fictional tropes involving cross-time travel between alternate histories or psychic awareness of the existence of "our" universe by the people in another; or ordinary voyaging uptime (into the past) or downtime (into the future) that results in history splitting into two or more time-lines. Cross-time, time-splitting and alternate history themes have become so closely interwoven that it is impossible to discuss them fully apart from one another. "Alternate History" looks at "what if" scenarios from some of history's most pivotal turning points and presents a completely different version, sometimes based on science and fact, but often based on conjecture. The exploration of how the world would look today if various changes occurred and what these alternate worlds would be like forms the basis of this vast subject matter." (Wikipedia, 'alternate history')


* How was this genre realized in the fiction, "INTELLIGENCE CODE"

Please see the synopsis first - http://authorbja.wordpress.com/my-novels/

1) 'What if' I.R.A. would become a terrorist threatening world peace? - This novel is about I.R.A.'s general, Thomas Collins - this is completely fictional, there is a general who has ambition to conquer the world with ambition of recovering Celtic glory.

2) 'What if'  Provisional I.R.A would make an alliance with Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt? -  Provisional I.R.A. worked together for the alliance with Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt; joining Yom Kippur war etc.


3) 'What if'  Ultra Orthodox Jew would build their second Jerusalem in Kashmir - See Revelation 21, 1-5:

 “Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'  He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

4) 'What if' Judaism would build a government, seeking inter-religious peace and real communication.

See Rabbi Yisroel Freund Announcement in the novel, "INTELLIGENCE CODE"

---

From the novel:

   Yisroel Freund announced in his public inauguration, "We will build a real Jewish Kingdom to be clearly distinguishable from the state of Israel. We will look for and work for the world peace and inter-religious communication and peace!" 

A lot of people gathered in front of the Ganderbal government building cheered and yelled for the birth of a real government for world peace and real inter-religious communication.

   Freund continued, "People here in the Provisional 'Republic of Shalva' are true Jews. We were all against all the perverted ideas and paradigms such as Zionism, extreme nationalism, all types of colonialism, and religious and cultural elitism which have been threatening the world peace for a long time."

   The crowd cheered and he moved on.

  "Furthermore, we solved the peace issue both in Palestine and Kashmir. For that, we should memorize to appreciate General Collins' braveness and his sacrifice for our seeking peace and repentance for our sins for the future."

---

2. a fictional aspect of #magicalrealism


The dictionary definition of 'magical realism' - 



"Magic realism or magical realism is a genre where magic elements are a natural part in an otherwise mundane, realistic environment. Although it is most commonly used as a literary genre, magic realism also applies to film and the visual arts. One example of magic realism occurs when a character in the story continues to be alive beyond the normal length of life and this is subtly depicted by the character being present throughout many generations. On the surface the story has no clear magical attributes and everything is conveyed in a real setting, but such a character breaks the rules of our real world. The author may give precise details of the real world such as the date of birth of a reference character and the army recruitment age, but such facts help to define an age for the fantastic character of the story that would turn out to be an abnormal occurrence like someone living for two hundred years."
 (From Wikipedia, 'magical realism')


1) The key aspect of the magical realism in the novel, INTELLIGENCE CODE is the theme of 'Reincarnation' and 'Rebirth'. 

The main character, Thomas Collins of PIRA is working as he believes himself as a reincarnation of King Arthur. Since Collins had listened a story of Celtic myth from his grandfather that believed the Irish as a descendant of real Celts, Collins decided to be a great warrior to retrieve Excalibur. He went to the British Royal Military Academy to realize his dream. After getting married to Irene Shannare, he even strengthened his dream to become a warrior or a hero to conquer the world thanks to Irene's magical power and her knowledge to produce bio-chemical weapon.
Also, the antagonist, Kevin Remiscu, who is an old friend of Collins, acts as an reincarnation of Sir (or King) Galahad. Thanks to the help of Irene, Remiscu reincarnates as King Galahad, who used to retrieve the Holy Grail; Galahad was selected as the only person who could defeat Collins by Lady of the Lake.


2) The other key point of the magical realism in the novel is adopting the concept of 'Karma' 

Karma is the concept of "action" or "deed", understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect (i.e., the cycle called saṃsāra). Originating in ancient India, Karma is part of Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh philosophies. 
In this novel, the concept of Karma accompanies one of the most important ethical contexts.
As King Arthur committed some moral mistakes when he chose Excalibur, Collins also made similar mistakes when he acts as a reincarnation of King Arthur; furthermore, he made more mistakes by enhancing his ambition to conquer the world, as a perverted hero. 
The theme of 'Karma' as magical realism is one of the most important spices that make this novel fresh and  unique as was shown to the tragic conclusion to Collins and his ambition.


3) Most importantly, the main them for magical realism is from the Druid magic.

As a reincarnation of Viviane, Irene had practiced her magic since she was very young. However, it is very important to notice the ideology is originally to understand and work with the nature and human being.
This novel tells that the ethical issues that may lie on every magician could drive their pure intention of using magic into a wicked way. Irene chose not to help her husband Collins, but she couldn't overcome her ethical defects toward her magical indulgence and attachment through her lives even from her past life.


3.
 a fictional aspect #religiousconspiracy:


Religious Conspiracy has been topics for many fictions and stories.

Although most of religious conspiracy theories cannot be proven by historical evidences, they are to be believed as factually by many people and critics.

In my novel, 'INTELLIGENCE CODE', the followings were dealt with as a fiction.


1) Hidden truth regarding Jesus' private life in India and Kashmir.

According to the historical records, Jesus Christ's life between his age of 12 and 30 is unknown. Is it possible not to have some one's personal history only for the period? There is only one statement regarding his unknown years in the Bible - "And Jesus increased wisdom and 'stature' and in favor with God and Man." [The Gospel of Luke 2-3]  (http://www.biblegateway.com/, retrieved May, 2013.)

Is there any possibility for someone to delet the history of the period intentionally because it doesn't  help Christians to keep their faith.
Then what happened to him?
According to 'INTELLIGENCE CODE', historical Jesus travelled through Silk Road with his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a caravan on the Silk Road around the time. During his travelling, Kashmir was used as the Jewish caravans' base, and Jesus decided to travel India to learn more about Indian religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. As a Jewish prophet, he must have learned and communicated with the Indian masters there.
For this theory, I mainly depend on Nicolas Notovitch's book, 'The Unknown Life Of Jesus Christ', which was written based on the manuscript, found in the Himis Monastry in Leh, Ladakh.



2) Hidden truth regarding Jesus' survival after crucifixion

There are many theorists, contending Jesus Christ were survived from the crucifixion attempt made by Roman Soldiers. He could have been saved by his uncle, Joseph again, and escaped to Kashmir.
Some scholars like Fida M. Hassnain & Suzanne Olsson stated that Jesus was buried a place called, 'Roza Bal' near Srinagar in Kashmir, with some critical evidences in their book, Roza Bal The Tomb of Jesus (BookSurge Publishing, 2008).
Followed by this theory, the theory of the lost Jewish tribes in Kashmir (Pasthun people) add the theoretical support for both no. 1 and 2.


3) Hidden truth regarding a cult in U.S. being against Luciferian Zionism in U.S.

For this I heavily depend on David Icke's assertion and insistence that Rothschild Zionism is not supported by Jews but a global conspiracy who wants to control the world under a capitalist scheme being centred in U.S. According to him, the Rothschild Zionists were based on Babylonian occultism, not Judaism, who hate both Jews and Palestinians.
See this - http://www.davidicke.com/articles/political-manipulation-mainmenu-72/42734-they-dare-not-speak-its-name-rothschild-zionism
In this novel, the U.F.O. cult, called Heaven's Gate was regarded as a black cult, who fought against Rothschild Zionism in U.S. that was supported by an U.S. officer in the White House.

Those three theories are about the religious conspiracies or hoaxes that enrich the variety of the fictional reconstructions of the story.

4. a fictional aspect of #militaryintelligence:

U.S.'s military actions against a terrorist organization
U.S.'s controlling privacies of their military officers
The restoration of one's memory, by planting the person's memory in a different body.
North Korea's taking over U.S. military information to overpower the world

: Check the synopsis of the novel - http://authorbja.blogspot.ca/p/my-novels.html
Image
 Yes, it is available on Amazon Kindle!!!

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Check live reviews on religious & alternate historical Sci-Fi novel, INTELLIGENCE CODE

What is INTELLIGENCE CODE? - See the synopsis

​* Amazon.com Review​ - Click this link  for INTELLIGENCE CODE



* Amazon.ca Review - Click this link for INTELLIGENCE CODE



* Goodreads.com Review​​​​ - Click this link for INTELLIGENCE CODE


   

Thank you for your reviews!!!

Sunday, October 6, 2013

'Religious Conspiracy Theories' and their Fictional Applications on a Novel

Religious Conspiracy has been topics for many fictions and stories.

Although most of religious conspiracy theories cannot be proven by historical evidences, they are to be believed as factually by many people and critics.

In my novel, 'INTELLIGENCE CODE', the followings were dealt with as a fiction.


(1) Hidden truth regarding Jesus' private life in India and Kashmir.

According to the historical records, Jesus Christ's life between his age of 12 and 30 is unknown. Is it possible not to have some one's personal history only for the period? There is only one statement regarding his unknown years in the Bible - "And Jesus increased wisdom and 'stature' and in favor with God and Man." [The Gospel of Luke 2-3]  (http://www.biblegateway.com/, retrieved May, 2013.)

Is there any possibility for someone to delet the history of the period intentionally because it doesn't  help Christians to keep their faith.
Then what happened to him?
According to 'INTELLIGENCE CODE', historical Jesus travelled through Silk Road with his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a caravan on the Silk Road around the time. During his travelling, Kashmir was used as the Jewish caravans' base, and Jesus decided to travel India to learn more about Indian religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. As a Jewish prophet, he must have learned and communicated with the Indian masters there.
For this theory, I mainly depend on Nicolas Notovitch's book, 'The Unknown Life Of Jesus Christ', which was written based on the manuscript, found in the Himis Monastry in Leh, Ladakh.




(2) Hidden truth regarding Jesus' survival after crucifixion

There are many theorists, contending Jesus Christ were survived from the crucifixion attempt made by Roman Soldiers. He could have been saved by his uncle, Joseph again, and escaped to Kashmir.
Some scholars like Fida M. Hassnain & Suzanne Olsson stated that Jesus was buried a place called, 'Roza Bal' near Srinagar in Kashmir, with some critical evidences in their book, Roza Bal The Tomb of Jesus (BookSurge Publishing, 2008).
Followed by this theory, the theory of the lost Jewish tribes in Kashmir (Pasthun people) add the theoretical support for both no. 1 and 2.


(3) Hidden truth regarding a cult in U.S. being against Luciferian Zionism in U.S.

For this I heavily depend on David Icke's assertion and insistence that Rothschild Zionism is not supported by Jews but a global conspiracy who wants to control the world under a capitalist scheme being centred in U.S. According to him, the Rothschild Zionists were based on Babylonian occultism, not Judaism, who hate both Jews and Palestinians.
See this - http://www.davidicke.com/articles/political-manipulation-mainmenu-72/42734-they-dare-not-speak-its-name-rothschild-zionism
In this novel, the U.F.O. cult, called Heaven's Gate was regarded as a black cult, who fought against Rothschild Zionism in U.S. that was supported by an U.S. officer in the White House.

Those three theories are about the religious conspiracies or hoaxes that enrich the variety of the fictional reconstructions of the story.