Yahweh, the Elohim, and Buddha

By Andrew Smith

This book is a sort of “last will and testament” of a man who has spent his life trying to discern the fundamental questions of life. It is some speculation, some fact, and some biographical.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781646548927

Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith has worked as a broadcast commentator and an investigative feature writer for publications including The Face, The Guardian, and the Sunday Times. He has also written and presented radio series and films for the BBC, including the acclaimed documentary Being Neil Armstrong. He lives with his wife, Jan, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Yahweh, the Elohim, and Buddha

Andrew Smith

Copyright © 2020 Andrew Smith

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books, Inc.

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2020

ISBN 978-1-64654-891-0 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64654-892-7 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Yahweh and the Elohim

Critique of Christianity

Buddha

Preface

What follows is based upon years of observation, reading, and the experience of many discussions with religious people and joining with many religions. I will go over some territory that falls within the lines of ancient aliens, the Old Testament, and Buddhist doctrine. These things may seem incongruous when considered together, but bear with me, please, and perhaps I will arrest your attention as my ideas unfold. I am largely an autodidact and like to think things out for myself.

The chapters on Yahweh and the Elohim will be based upon the Old Testament (Heb. Tanakh). The chapters on Buddha will be both a critique of New Testament Christianity and a personal biography of my conversion to Buddhism. These two sections are combined in one book because they overlap in my thinking. The alternative history of Yahweh and the Elohim, and my rejection of the New Testament and acceptance of Buddha’s teachings come from the same source: an extensive study of both subjects in tandem.

I neither think Yahweh nor the Elohim are God or gods, nor do I think Jesus (Heb. Yahshua) and Buddha are deities. Yahweh and the Elohim, as I shall try to prove, are alien advanced technicians; Christ (as the churches see him) is a myth; and Buddha is neither one but was simply an awakened and enlightened man of flesh and blood.

I am an atheist like the Buddha. Superior beings do perhaps deserve our fear, or maybe our admiration, but not human worship. Humanity is not the epitome of beings in existence, and we should not bow down to those we fear or admire. Buddha deserves our admiration but not our worship, and certainly not our fear (as some primitive peoples do). In rejecting Christianity, I also reject every cult or sect based upon Christ (i.e., in Islam, in every form of Protestantism, and in every expression of Catholicism).

We should not worship myths, although I find religious holidays to be enjoyable for the joy and camaraderie they bring each year. I even like church music, especially Gregorian chant, and many religious hymns and songs, although I do not view them as