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Bernard Starr, Ph.D. is a psychologist, journalist and college professor.His latest book, "Jesus Uncensored: Restoring the Authentic Jew," is available at Amazon,Barnes and Noble.com, and Smashwords.Starr's op-ed commentaries for the Scripps Howard News Service have appeared in major newspapers throughout the United States. Currently, his articles appear in OpEd News, and the Huffington Post. He has also written for Salon, Barons Financial Magazine and UPI's Religion and Spirituality section. His previous book, "Escape Your Own Prison: Why We Need Spirituality and Psychology to be Truly Free," published by Rowman and Littlefield, explores spirituality as a psychology of consciousness.
Starr is also professor emeritus at the City University of New York (Brooklyn College) where he taught developmental and educational psychoogy and directed a graduate gerontology program. He is founder, and for 25 years the managing editor, of the Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics (Springer Publishing Co.); also editor of the Springer Series, Adulthood and Aging and Lifestyles and Issues in Aging. For seven years he was writer, producer and host of an award winning radio commentary, The Longevity Report, on WEVD-AM Radio in NYC. He currently produces and hosts television documentaries on meaningful, active and productive living in the third age of life (Active Aging Stories) for Phoenix Rising Television Productions. From 2007-2010 he was president of the Association for Spirituality and Psychotherapy. He is also the main United Nations representative for the Institute of Global Education that founded the Mucherla Global School in Mucherla, India.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 Why Christians Were Denied Access to Their Bible for 1,000 Years (3 comments)
Not only did the Church sequester the Latin Bible from the Christian populace for a thousand years, it forbid translating the New Testament into native languages. Robert Tyndale who defied the Church and translated the Bible into English was burned at the stake for his "heresy." Why would the Church distance the Christian populace from direct contact with their holy scriptures? This article proposes a surprising motive.
Thursday, May 9, 2013 Was Jesus Gay? Unlikely. Married? Maybe. Both? Possibly (11 comments)
There has been much speculation about Jesus' sexuality.Various commentators have suggested every possibility, including the most provocative speculation that he was Gay. But if he were gay it's likely that he would have covered it up given the hash taboo against homosexuality in the Old Testament.
Friday, May 3, 2013 Surprise: 'Jew in a Box' Is Not in a Box (7 comments)
The media slammed an exhibit at the Jewish Museum in Berlin, Germany by dubbing it with the offensive title, "Jew in a Box." The world press joined the assault without bothering to fact check.Now it turns out that the "box" isn't even a box.
Friday, April 26, 2013 To Experience Jesus, Visit a Synagogue (73 comments)
Jesus was a dedicated Jew who prayed, as Jews do today, with prayer shawl and tefillin (pylacteries).He regularly attended prayer services at a synagogue where he read from the Torah.A synagogue visit during prayer services offers an authentic Jesus experience: "That's what Jesus did every Sabbath."
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 Art That's 'Too Jewish' (5 comments)
Two prominent artists in the 19th century painted realistic images of Jesus as a child that created public and critical uproars because the portraits, they charged, were "too Jewish." The fact that Jesus was Jewish didn't seem to count.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 Three Cheers for 'Jew in a Box' for Thinking Out of the Box (6 comments)
A harmless but useful and informative exhibit at the Jewish Museum in Berlin, Germany, generated an uproar. It became a huge media event when headline writers dubbed the exhibit "Jew in a Box."
Monday, April 1, 2013 Jesus to Church Leaders: 'How Dare You in My Name'? (8 comments)
Christian leaders throughout history perpetrated violent acts totally antithetical to Jesus' teachings. In a mock trial Jesus confronts them to explain where in his teaching did they find justification for heinous acts.
Friday, March 22, 2013 Mayor Bloomberg Launches a Clandestine Passover Police Unit (2 comments)
In his campaign to enforce high nutritional standards for New Yorkers--and set an example for the rest of the country--Mayor Michael Bloomberg is targeting cholesterol, salt, and sugar overload at traditional Passover Seders. Even the brisket will be placed under suspicion.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 How Artists Invented the Christian Jesus (11 comments)
"The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci looks like a gathering of christian monks, not orthodox Jews together for a Passover celebration that Jesus instructed his disciples to prepare for.This is typical of Medieval and Renaissance paintings the convert Jesus and his falily and followers into latter-day Christians.
Thursday, March 7, 2013 The Ethnic Cleansing of Judaism in Medieval and Renaissance Art (4 comments)
Medieval and Renaissance art transformed dedicated Jews--Jesus, his family and followers--into latter-day Christians without a hint of their Jewish identities. In effect, these artworks vaporized any association between Jesus and Judaism. In doing so they established a powerful platform for anti-Semitism through the illusion that Jesus and Jews were of different ethnicity and different religions.
Friday, March 1, 2013 Jesus of Nazareth, Bill O'Reilly and the Brutal Romans (13 comments)
BIll O'Reilly, in a new forthcoming book,"Killing Jesus" will be weighing in on the Jesus "whodunit" with "new" findings pointing the j'accuse finger at the Romans.
Thursday, February 21, 2013 God Killed Jesus: That's What the Gospels Say (31 comments)
For centuries Jews were persecuted for the crucifixion of Jesus with the charge: "Christ Killers". Yet the Gospels and other parts o the New Testament definitively tell us that God Killed Jesus as part of a divine plan. Accusing any other for the death of Jesus should be considered blasphemy against the very foundation of Christianity.
Saturday, January 19, 2013 Jesus 'Used to Be Jewish'? That's Not What the Gospels Say (24 comments)
Jesus lived and died a dedicated Jew. He had no intention of starting a new religion. Yet the belief persists that he was an apostate Jew who launched Christianity. A full appreciation of Jesus' Jewish identity could help heal the Jewish Christian divide.
Thursday, January 10, 2013 Are We on the Verge of an Interspiritual Age? (14 comments)
Kurt Johnson and Robert Ord believe that a transformation of conciousness is underway on the planet that will usher in an "Interspiritual Age"---despite rampant violence throughout the world and other destructive forces at work that are reported daily. They present some persuasive evidence to support their view.
Thursday, December 27, 2012 Legal Issues in Self-Publishing: What Authors Need to Know (4 comments)
As the publisher, self-published authors take on legal responsibility for their works. This article, a q and a with a leading intellectual rights attorney, addresses the key legal issues that authors should pay attention to
Monday, November 12, 2012 No Planet, No Jobs: The Suicide Bombing of Science (7 comments)
Climate change and global warming took a back seat in the presidential debates because politicians know that those issues are off the radar of the general public. While jobs, and other gut issues are the main concern of Americans, fact is that that catastrophic events related to climate change trump all other issues when nature speaks, as was the case with Hurricane Sandy.
Saturday, September 22, 2012 Jesus Married? Not Surprising For a Dedicated Jew (5 comments)
A newly discovered papyrus suggests that Jesus had a wife. Although it's authenticity is being examined there are other alternative gospels that have indicated that Jesus had a romantic relationship with Mary Magdalene and that they were possibly married.
Thursday, September 13, 2012 Must You Pay to Use Photos of Public Domain Artworks? No, Says a Legal Expert (10 comments)
Museums, other institutions and photographers charge fees for the use of their "salvish" mere reproduction photos of public domain artworks.In charging a licensing fee they are claiming or implying that they hold a copyright on the photos. Yet a landmark federal court ruling and comments for legal experts say that those photos are in the public domain and therefore you don't have to pay to use them.
Friday, August 24, 2012 The New Vanity Publishing: Traditional Publishing (1 comments)
The new world of self-publishing offers incredible opportunities for authors to publish their works when they want, earn thirty to eighty percent royalties, control all the rights to their books, and to market to targeted audiences over the internet.Sadly, many authors think that self-publishing is vanity publishing. It's not--and the vanity for authors who are not high profile is now in seeking a traditional publisher.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 Heigh Ho Cell Phone--The Ego Rides Again (1 comments)
Technology has vastly enriched our world. Tasks that previously took weeks, months,or even years can be accomplished in hours or days. At the same time, the addiction to technology poses a threat to spiritual development. With the pull to "out there" rather than "in here" the ego is in charge and the spiritual-self slips away. Restoring the primacy of the spiritual-self is is the challenge for serious spiritual seekers.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 George Stoney: A Life in Film (1 comments)
Famed documentary film maker George Stony died on July 12th at age 96. George was a towering figure in documentary film making over the past sixty-plus years. His focus on the downtrodden and oppressed in society was unique. George Stoney's inspiration will live on through the thousands of students he mentored at the New York University Film School. In this interview George revealed the many facets of his long productive life
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 If Only it Were 99 Percent, or Even 80 Percent, Versus the Rich (3 comments)
The super wealthy at the top of the wealth gap continue to accumulate riches while the bottom 99 percent, or more realistically, eighty percent, that have only fifteen percent of the national wealth continue to fall behind.Problem is that too many at the lower rung are asleep and not ready to fight for income equality. Unless they wake up little will change
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 Brief Encounter With Mike Wallace, the Vineyard's Famous Renter (1 comments)
There's another side to Mike Wallace the hard hitting investigative journalist. In coming out about his depression he took down much of the stigma about mental illness that helped untold numbers seek professional help.
Saturday, April 7, 2012 Corporations Plan for Post-Middle-Class America (19 comments)
Corporate planning for the "hourglass" economy is confirmation that the middle class is no longer a significant segment of American Society--and is likely to fade even more. The hourglass strategy develops and markets products to the remaining largest consumer groups--the upper class elite and the bottom poor. At the same time, politicians ingenuously pretend to champion the middle class and fight for their interests.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 "Obama? I Wouldn't Vote For That Socialite." (2 comments)
Republican rhetoric swims in false statements. Truth seems to hold little sway in the debates--and the moderators timidly allow lies to stand. Fifth grade teachers would do better in running the debates and forcing the truth.See how.
Thursday, March 15, 2012 The New Jews of Cameroon (1 comments)
An African Pentecostal Christian group in a rural village in Cameroon, on the west coast of Africa, led by Serge Etele, converted to Judaism. With the assstance of Kulanu, a Jewish outreach organization in New York City, they are learning about Jewish practices.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 Romney and Santorum Envision a Caste System for America (11 comments)
Despite their quest for working class and blue collar credentials both Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are out of touch with main stream Americans. Romney is not concerned with the poor and Santorum tells young people that its jut fine if they don't seek higher education. These views are a formula for promoting a permanent caste of the poor.
Monday, March 5, 2012 Yes, We Can Have Free College Education--Here's How (4 comments)
The outrageous cost of higher education and the crippling burden of student loans that are now approaching a trillion dollars are generating a frightening college dropout rate that will harm our economy well into the future. The answer to the crisis in higher education is free college. We had it during the great depression and we can have it now.
Saturday, December 31, 2011 Two Cultures, Two Genocides, One Story (11 comments)
David Gewirtzman and Jacqueline Murekatete were victims of holocausts that were fity years apart on two different continents. Yet their stories merge into one. Their powerful jolting joint presentations to audiences of all ages beings the horror of their genocidal experiences to life and cry out for an end to the gross inhumanities driven by hatred and intolerance.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 Diego Rivera Occupies MOMA (2 comments)
Although Diego Rivera's Murals were created over eighty years ago they are seamlessly contemporary. They speak with equal power to the struggles of today's disenfranchised workers, the poor and oppressed peoples everywhere. Diego Rivera's murals resonate with OWS.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 Lights Out for Third World America? (12 comments)
The downward spiraling of America is evidenced as cities and municipalities face bankruptcy and cut basic services. Shortening of the school week and school hours in grade schools throughout the U.S. is the most chilling confirmation of decline. In short-changing and abandoning our children we are canceling our insurance policy for a robust future.
Friday, November 4, 2011 Not a Native American? You're an Immigrant (18 comments)
The 125th anniversary of the dedication of the Statue of Liberty should remind us of what has made America unique and great:Immigrants. But we are in danger of abandoning that greatness as we forget that we are a nation of immigrants in a spreading nationwide assault on immigration and immigrants.
Friday, October 21, 2011 Where Are The Drugs On Wall Street? (4 comments)
Bashers are trying to discredit OWS with vicious distortions saying it's all about drugs. If you really want to know where there is an infestation of druggies, check out the Main Street of Wall Street.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011 Politicians Beware: The Boomers Are Coming And They Wont Play Dead (4 comments)
With all the proposed cuts in federal and state programs and the giveaways to corporations,politicians and policy makers have failed to take note of the power of the 77 million baby boomers who will be most affected.If you think the Wall Street protest is something, see what happens when the boomers wake up and weigh in--"You Ain't Seen Nuttin Yet."
Thursday, September 1, 2011 Advocacy For the Young Is the Best Advocacy For Seniors (8 comments)
Senior advocacy organizations like AARP should place advocacy for younger generations at the top of their priorities---it is the economic well being of younger generations that will generate the tax revenues for maintaining senior
entitlements.The mantra of senior advocacy should be: Children First!
Thursday, July 14, 2011 Update on the Pandemic Disease of the 21st Century (7 comments)
New outbreaks of PACS (Posterior Alimentary Canal Syndrome)suggest that the disease is not only getting out of control it is rising to a new level of infestation: Group flare-ups. This report also cites evidence that PACS may be a mutant form of the Asian gaming addiction, PC Bang.
Monday, June 13, 2011 The Deception of Compassion and other Near Enemies (1 comments)
While it may be possible for you to get to the spiriual maountain top on your own, your ego will throw many wrenches in your path that you may not be albe to see without a guide.
Sunday, June 5, 2011 The Pandemic Disease of the 21st Century Is on the Rise (16 comments)
The pandemic disease of the 21st century is geting out of control. Posterior alimentary canal syndrome (PACS)fueled by solipsism--the belief that only you exist-- is eroding the foundation of a civil society.
Monday, May 16, 2011 Should Obama Show His School Transcripts? (3 comments)
Now that President Obama has produced his original birth certificate Donald Trump now wants to see Obama's school records. Trump claims that Obama did not have the academic credentials to get into Columbia University and Harvard Law School.Is this serious issue or another diversionary witch hunt?
Friday, May 6, 2011 When Social Security Meets Immortality (3 comments)
Senior bashers continue to erroneously point to Social Security for adding to the national debt when, in fact, Social Security Reduces debt. But there's a bigger problem ahead for entitlements and society as a whole as science is heading toward breaking the genetic aging code and vastly extending the average lifespan to science fiction levels.
Sunday, March 27, 2011 Sub-Prime Mortgages and Harry the Snake (1 comments)
As sub-prime mortgages continue to plague the economy the banks and lenders are in denial. They shamefully blame homebuyers rather than the greed and deceptions that led legions of buyers to default and foreclosure.
Friday, February 25, 2011 Senior Bashing Is Back In Season (3 comments)
Contrary to the belief that Social Security is a drain and adds to our national debt it actually reduces the national debt. Sounds too good to be true but in ths case it is true.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 The Right to Bear Arms for National Defense. Wrong! (9 comments)
The right to bear arms made sense in 18th century America but not today. Unlike during the American Revolution, guns in indivial hands today would not serve our national defense. The article asks: What would the Founding Fathers propose for 21st century America?
Thursday, February 10, 2011 Can I Change My Personality or Am I Stuck? (2 comments)
Change and transformation are central issues in spirituality and psychotherapy. But the conceptions are sharply different.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 Would Charles Darwin Get a Gun? (5 comments)
After the most recent massacre will we finally muster the courage to make an honest re-evaluation of our gun laws?
