TV Review: The Naked Archaeologist

By Kelly West: 2007-07-19 20:05:43

  

Comment on “TV Review: The Naked Archaeologist”

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1. Emerson Says:
   July 30th, 2007 at 19:38

   You should feel uncomfortable. This host generates interest in the series by offering completely off the wall theories, espoused by very few professional historians or archarologists.
   
   What bothers me most is how little regard and respect he has for the sites--and beliefs--of various faiths represented by the locations visited. This boor was in the Holy Sepulchre, Golgotha and Bethlehem/nativity in an episode a few weeks ago with his hat continually on. In all cases hed swung on the accoutrements and demonstrated that he has no familiarity with what the sites ACTUALLY represent. Credibility: zero.

1. joezias Says:
   August 2nd, 2007 at 07:59

   This series in which the narrator tries to pass himself off to the unsuspecting public as an archaeologist is one of the more dishonest attempts to con the media that he has something to say. His creditability has been challenged from the beginning, Discovery Channel which fell for it, eventually realized that it was far from the truth and canceled the re-run of his 5 million dollar doc. on a tomb here in Jerusalem. Just this week the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem canceled all his weekly showings due to protests from those of us in the academic world who know that SJ is really naked when it comes to creditability.

1. neto Says:
   November 15th, 2007 at 00:20

   From the episodes I’ve watched, it seems to me that this program has a religious and political agenda in mind; and one these agenda items seems to be to undermine Christianity.
   If you want to watch it, just be careful to double check anything presented but make sure to use “true” reliable sources.
   

1. John Richards Says:
   January 27th, 2008 at 21:53

   I am a Christian, recovering Roman Catholic actually, I find Simcha Jacobivici's Naked Archaeologist very thought provoking !
   It definately is not for those who are not rock solid in thier Christian Faith ! He merely puts out thoughts and facts as he finds and has them
   and does not preach or ask that you take them as fact --JUST THINK ABOUT THEM and be open minded.

1. EGG Says:
   January 29th, 2008 at 14:23

   I, too, am a christian and have to agree with the post from John Richards. I don't believe that one should be overly offended by the information presented no matter what walk of faith you have chosen. In order to live responsibly, I believe one must listen to even the controversial. His show presents thoughts and ideas that would make us all better thinkers. People don't have to buy into anything they hear just because they hear it. I don't buy into the anti-christian messages out there, even though I am confronted with them most days that I choose to turn on the TV, read a newspaper, or spend any amount of time in public. Instead of being offended, maybe we should realize that we didn't live thousands of years ago, and anything someone might have to say about those who did, might just be simply thought provoking. Give me a math problem that has the wrong answer and then we can discuss facts. Archeology is based almost entirely on speculation (granted some speculations may be more founded than others). Ask yourself this question, "Was I there?".

1. David Gross Says:
   March 30th, 2008 at 16:04

   The thoughts represented are definitely thought provoking. However, the question remains, I wonder if he is simply playing " devil's advocate" without regard to or showing preference to any religion? Even if he has no religous knowledge to start with, maybe he will by the time he is done.

1. Penny Bradley Says:
   June 5th, 2008 at 00:43

   At the very beginning of the show, we see him packing his pentateuch and wearing his yamulcha (the hat he continually wears says he is in submission to the jewish god.) I guess most people don't realize that means he's religious jewish. Religious jewish generally don't consider Jesus to be the messiah, or they would become christians. So he lets you know his bias at the beginning.
   
   I have never seen him present himself as an archaeologist. Only as a seeker, or tv journalist. What credentials do our news people hold?
   
   I am a pentecostal christian, but I respect that others hold different views. My God wants you to come to Him by your own choice. I respect that Simcha gives you his bias from the beginning. Considering his bias, he gives rather fair handed treatment to differing christian views.
   
   I enjoy seeing the work that's being done, and hearing the Bible referred to in respectful tones. Too much on tv paints Bible believers as insane. I enjoy his show a lot.

1. mindel Says:
   June 20th, 2008 at 18:08

   regardless of what some people say, i love this show. i have learned so much about things i have thought of often. i am quite interested in my faith judaism, and simcha is very, very interesting to say the least.
   i love when i see men wearing kippa. he explains things in a way anyone could understand.
   i watch all the time and tivo when i won't be home. if i could i'd be his assistant. a very happy fan.
   

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