Critical issues evolve when seriously investigating the ancient spiritual text, which some scholars called the original bible; the Papyrus of Ani. It was later known as The Book Of Coming Forth By Day And By Night, (today called The Egyptian Book Of The Dead), written 3000 years before the King James Bible. Those who believe every word of the Bible is true, without question, this is a non-issue. For those continually searching, there are concerns that have to be resolved, if at all possible.
Reading about Heru, an ancient Kemetic (Egyptian) deity (called Horus by the Greeks), in the above-mentioned text, brings up some big questions. Heru was born of a virgin birth, as was Jesus. He was resurrected after three days, the same as Jesus. There is no record for both, ages 18 – 30 years.
Also, in the above-mentioned text, is the Holy Trinity: Ausar (Osiris), Auset (Isis), Heru (Horus), and others, equal in importance to the Christian trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The major difference, the Kemetic trinity has a father, mother, son. The woman/mother was never taken away. And further, there are some older scholars who state the woman was the first deity. There are enough pockets of data to create an interesting discussion.
Listening to a lecture by the late Dr. Asa Hilliard III, educational psychologist and historian, some 20 or so years ago, he stated the Christians took Mary out of the trinity during the Nicene Conference in 325 A.D., where some 300 attendees, all men, wanted to make Jesus the only divine being, taking away the divinity of Mary.
Emperor Constantine called this meeting in an effort to unify a divided church, ultimately taking Christianity out of Afrika, where it was created, to Rome. According to Dr. Yosef ben-Jochannan, Kemetologist (Egyptologist), the conference also changed Jesus’ place of birth, from a cave in the Egypto/Nubian area, to a manger in Bethlehem.
Continuing to look at the parallels between Heru and Jesus, the extraordinary comparisons seem to lend credence to western religion borrowing or imitating the ancient Kemetic religion. Heru’s mother’s name was Meri, while Jesus’ was Miriam (aka Mary). The Annunciation for both Heru and Jesus was by an angel. Witnesses to both births were shepherds. Herut tried to have Heru murdered. Herod tried to have Jesus murdered. The coming of age ritual for both was at 12 years old. Heru’s baptism occurred at the river Eridanus; Jesus at the river Jordan. Both were baptized at age 30. Both Anup the Baptiser, who baptized Heru, and John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus, were beheaded.
Heru was taken from the desert of Amenta up a high mountain by his archrival Sut. Sut (aka Set) was a precursor for the Hebrew Satan. Jesus was taken from the desert in Palestine up a high mountain by his archrival Satan. Both resisted temptation. Both walked on water, cast out demons, healed the sick, and restored sight to the blind. Heru raised Ausar, his dead father, from the grave. Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave. Both were crucified with two thieves, buried in a tomb, descended to hell and resurrected after three days. A woman announced the resurrection of both.
All of the occurrences for Heru can be found in the book mentioned above. These are perplexing events when considering the similarities. This is just an effort to sort over some things constantly discussed by those interested. These events will forever be debated, never to conclude in a resolution. About the only concrete matter that can be stated, both Heru and Jesus, no matter how perceived, were spiritual beings attempting to teach redemption, living similar lives. Regardless of one’s belief, there is no escape, each individual must live a righteous and moral life.
There is no debate on that.
– Dr. Kwaku’s class, Afrikan World Civilizations, with all new lessons, will begin Friday, 7-9 p.m., Feb. 20 in Leimert Park. See www.drkwaku.com for details.
DISCLAIMER: The beliefs and viewpoints expressed in opinion pieces, letters to the editor, by columnists and/or contributing writers are not necessarily those of Our Weekly.
