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God Rock Radio #170 – The War in Heaven – Part 2 (Angels and Demons)

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In part 2 of one of GRR’s most epic and ambitious programs, Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia continues his investigation into the legendary War in Heaven found within the traditions of the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity & Islam). This time out its the complex and mysterious history of Angels and Demons as Jack digs deeply into dozens of religious texts and many obscure myths and legends. First off, its the angelic as Jack charts the evolution of these benevolent agents, regents and messengers of God in ancient civilization , luminous envoys of the lord that are filled with divine power and goodness. And are arranged in a hierarchy like servants, soldiers and courtiers of a king. Next up, its the flipside of the celestial coin, as Jack examines the many different names utilized for God’s evil opponent or adversary (Azazel, Beezebub, Belial, Iblis, Sammael , Satan – etc) and the evil lord’s many minions , archaic- ancient malevolent spirits that live much closer to us than angels do, and have the supernatural power to deceive and torment humanity.

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Season 9 : God Rock Radio # 169 – The War in Heaven – Part 1 (God and The Heavens)

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In part 1 of the GRR season 9 premiere – Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia , biblical scholar, folklorist and mythologist extraordinaire explores the evolution of monotheism. The belief in the transcendent yet personal one god of the Abrahamic religions and the celestial dwelling place of the lord and his angelic creations. First off – Jack examines the many different names utilized for the one god, different names that are like fingers on the divine hand. Next up Jack digs deeply into both the old and new testament references concerning the different concepts of heaven found within the scriptures. From its initial inception as a type of divine vault or dome floating inside the celestial sea (Genesis) to a place of eternal bliss and reward for the faithful (Revelations). And last but not least – Jack scrutinizes little known non-canonical texts in order to present a highly detailed and descriptive travel log of the 7 heavens (the 7 celestial spheres) from the ancient myths and legends of the Israelites .

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God Rock Radio #167 – Japanese Horror Films of The 1960’s -Part 2

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In the second installment of GRR’s special two part program – Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia continues his analysis of Japanese horror films from the 1960’s – this time out focusing on movies produced during the years 1967 – 1971.  As flower power and psychedelia hit the shores of Japan, the Japanese horror film would change dramatically.  While traditional horror films based on Japanese folklore, Shinto-like supernatural beings, Kabuki ghost stories and samurai warrior legends would continue to be produced – a new and disturbing sub genre known as The Pinky Film would soon dominate the industry.  Influenced by S&M, soft core pornography and Euro Arthouse horror movies – the disturbing, highly sadistic and misogynistic  psycho-sexual Pinky film would be very popular with Japanese audience but sadly would also signal the decline of the Japanese horror film.  Jack examines 19 films including such classics as- The Bride from Hell (1968) , The Snow Ghost (1968) , The Living Skeleton (1968) , Kuroneko / Black Cat (1968) , The 100 Ghost Stories (1968) , The Blind Beast (1969) , The Night of The Vampire (1970) and Lake of Death (1971).

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God Rock Radio # 166 – Japanese Horror Films of The 1960’s- Part 1

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Lover of genre movies and a noted film historian – Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia examines some of his favorite Japanese horror films from the 1960’s. As the world wide revival of the horror film took hold during the late 1950’s – Japanese filmmakers would draw inspiration from the European art film as well as the ancient indigenous religion , Shinto and it’s many divine beings filled with supernatural and spiritual power. Kabuki theater from the Edo period (1650 to 1900) , whose plots were often based on traditional Japanese folk tales (ghost stories and Samurai warrior legends) – would also be a major influence . Helping to create a mystical film pastiche that would become popular with both Western and Japanese audiences. In Part One – Jack gives in depth analysis of 14 films produced between 1959 to 1966 – including such classics as – The Bloodsword of the 99th Virgin (1959) – The Ghost of Yotsuya (1959) – Jigoku (1960) – Kwaidan (1964) – Onibaba (1964) and Diamajin / The Japanese Golem (1966).
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God Rock Radio # 165 – St. Therese of Lisieux (The Little Flower)

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Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia , a Eucharistic Minister of the Holy Sacrament in the Roman Catholic Church, examines the life, legend and legacy of St. Therese of Lisieux (The Little Flower). Born into a devout, middle class French family whose five daughters would all become nuns, the teenage Therese has an intense vision of The Luminous Christ child, whose divine light acts as a beacon in the darkness. Upon entering the Carmelite Nunnery at the tender age of 15 she impresses the community by her spiritual intensity and regal manner, and it soon becomes obvious that Therese is no ordinary woman but a person that is virtually overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Diagnosed with tuberculosis, the slowly dying Therese beg ins to write about her childhood memories and her experiences in the Carmalites. An amazing autobiography that is a unique and engaging document , filled with a delightful clarity,self revelation, deep spiritual wisdom and beauty. Published after her death at the age of 24 – A History of a Soul , ignites one of the most impressive spiritual manifestations of the modern era.
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God Rock Radio #164 More Street Gangs of Old New York City

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In the follow up to last winters highly praised and very popular program, Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia (a noted social historian) continues his examination of Old New York’s criminal underworld. First off its the arrival of Chinese immigrants to the shores of Manhattan, the birth and development of Chinatown and the rise of The Tongs. Secret criminal brotherhoods bound together by religious oaths and rituals who would fight their bloody battles openly in the streets for 50 years. Next up its The Queens of Old New York’s street gangs who at a time when most women would stay at home in order to become wives and mothers, instead rose to the leadership of some of the toughest criminal outfits in history. Legendary ladies like Sadie The Goat and Mother Marm Mandelbaum who via their grit and intelligence gained the respect and admiration of New York’s criminal elite.
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God Rock Radio # 163 – Native American Myths and Legends Vol 5 (The Blackfoot)

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Folklorist extraordinaire, Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia continues the popular and critically acclaimed series with two sacred stories from the Blackfoot peoples. First off, Jack presents a historical overview of the Blackfoot – the most powerful Indian nation north of the Missouri, whose lands stretched from Montana into the upper regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan . Including the use of Shaman Stones known as the Iniskims – that had the power to call the massive Bison herds and the Medicine Wheel – a type of circular rocky connection to both the natural and supernatural world. Next up it’s a Blackfoot sacred story about tobacco called the sacred weed which tells of the origins of the plants ritual and ceremonial uses. Last but not least it’s another Blackfoot tale about the origins of the horse called Orphan Boy and The Elk Dog. In which a heroic outcast finds the courage to bring the strange and wondrous animal that serves the great spirit of a mysterious lake back to his people, changing their lives forever.
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God Rock Radio #162 – Spirituality and The Enlightenment – Part 4

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In the finale to GRR’s epic and critically acclaimed mini series, Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia examines the brilliant but flawed intellectual giant, Thomas Jefferson and the rebellion that attempted to bring the ideals of The Enlightenment to the world, The French Revolution. First up, it’s the living embodiment of the American paradox, Thomas Jefferson – lawyer, farmer , architect, philosopher, scientist and a slave owner who also opposed slavery, Jefferson was branded an atheist by the press but in reality was a spiritual man who kept his deep spiritual feelings hidden from the public. An admirer of the moral virtues of Christ, he compiled his own unique version of the New Testament, expunging all things supernatural from the text in the hopes of using it as an educational tool. Next, its the insurrection of the common people against the abusive rule of the French monarchy that shook the world between the years 1789 to 1799. At first a rebellion that held the grand narratives of the Enlightenment as sacred, The French Revolution would ultimately degenerate into a bloody Reign of Terror. As the Jacobean extremists – Robespierre and St. Just (who were disciples of Rosseau) began to redistribute the wealth of the aristocracy to the poor and sentenced thousands of the nobility (men, women and children) to death on the guillotine.
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God Rock Radio #161 – Spirituality and The Enlightenment -Part 3

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In the third installment of the highly praised, epic mini series Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia examines the lives, legends and legacies of two more great intellects from the Age of Reason, Denis Diderot and Catherine The Great. First off its Diderot – the true organizing genius of The Enlightenment who managed to unite scores of the most radical and rebellious intellectuals of the era in the creation of the most characteristic product of the Age of Reason , the 35 folio volume encyclopedia. To Diderot education was the pathway to the divine, and when you improved your mind – you also improved your soul. Next – its Catherine The Great, Empress of the Russian Empire , who with the help of the powerful Eastern Orthodox church – deposes her husband , the mad Peter 3rd, then rules Russia successfully for 34 years. An intelligent , ambitious, energetic and sexually aggressive woman , Catherine’s long reign would be a type of battle between the ideals of The Enlightenment and the social, economic and political realities of the vast Russian Empire. An empire that  was built on the foundation of ignorance, fear , violence and the oppression of its people.

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God Rock Radio # 160 – Spirituality and The Enlightenment – Part 2

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In the second installment of GRR’s groundbreaking three part series on the Age of Reason, Jack “The Agnostic” Garcia examines the lives, legends and literary legacies of the philosophers and satirists Montesquieu and Jean Jacques Rosseau.  First its the high born Montesquieu who with his classic – Persian Letters, lampooned sexuality, the Catholic church, the Pope and the French monarchy. His magnum opus , The Spirit of The Law , profoundly  influenced European and American political thought , to Montesquieu – the divine was to be found within a type of cross cultural , universal law – a natural law given to us by God that defended the rights of all humanity.  Next up, its  Jean Jacques Rosseau, who was a composer of music as well as a writer on  economics , philosophy and spirituality. To Rousseau , humanity had been corrupted by society and civilization and the pathway to the divine was to be found within the voluptuousness of nature. A type of intoxication of the soul that set the spirit free and brought it closer to God.

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