Lucifer was Innocent: The Red Pill by Tirth Raj Parsana, a critical review

In the times that we live, any person walking on the street may be an author, and any ‘house’ on the corner may be a publishing house! There is no limit to what one might be! Walking on this touted path of diversity, a new ‘author’ has thrown his hat in the ring with a self-published book by one publisher known to publish anything you ‘offer’ them as a ‘manuscript’. The titular sensational claim might surprise you, catch you on the back foot, and just shout ‘mind up’. Lucifer was Innocent: The Red Pill, written by Tirth Raj Parsana, published by Notion Press, and launched in May 2024, is, until now, the most clumsy text I have come across in many years of my reading experience. What more? You will seldom understand what you read. You will never know what genre you encountered. You can never know what was it all! Such is the enchantment of the text that you will, perhaps, counter it with your most loved adjectives revolving in your thoughts as you bear the textual torture for about an hour or so. I cannot roast the guy and his book enough. I will stick to doing what I do – critique. Here is my opinion on the book. And obviously, it’s harsh and critical!

Well, can you believe it? The author met Satan or Lucifer. Sat with ‘him’. Lucifer pleaded his case… so on and so forth. Give me a break already!

Critical Review of Lucifer was Innocent: The Red Pill by Tirth Raj Parsana

Lucifer was Innocent: The Red Pill by Tirth Raj Parsana is a self-published work that challenges mainstream religious and spiritual beliefs by presenting a Gnostic-inspired narrative. While the book ambitiously seeks to explore profound themes such as the nature of reality, the divinity of humanity, and the reinterpretation of religious figures like Lucifer and Jesus, it ultimately falls short in execution, philosophical depth, and credibility. The book reads more like a patchwork of conspiracy theories and superficial interpretations of Gnostic texts than a serious, well-researched exploration of spirituality.

Strengths (Few and Far Between)

1. Provocative Themes:
   The book touches on intriguing ideas, such as the Gnostic concept of the divine spark within humanity and the critique of institutionalised religion. These themes could have made for a compelling read if explored with nuance.
2. Creative Format:
   The use of a screenplay-style narrative, interspersed with documentary-style interviews and montages, is an unconventional approach that could have been innovative. However, this format is poorly executed, leading to confusion rather than engagement.

Weaknesses (Overwhelming and Fundamental)

1. Poor Writing and Structure:
   The book suffers from disjointed storytelling, abrupt shifts in perspective, and a lack of coherence. The screenplay format, while creative, is clumsily implemented, with awkward scene transitions and poorly developed characters. The narrative often feels rushed, as if the author is more interested in delivering sensational claims than crafting a thoughtful, well-structured argument.
2. Superficial Engagement with Gnostic Texts:
   While the author references Gnostic texts like the Apocalypse of Adam, the Secret Gospel of John, and the Gospel of Thomas, his engagement with these sources is shallow and selective. He cherry-picks ideas that align with his pre-existing narrative while ignoring the complexity and diversity of Gnostic thought. For example, the portrayal of the Demiurge as an unequivocally evil creator and Lucifer as a liberator oversimplifies Gnostic dualism, which is far more nuanced.
3. Conspiracy Theory Overtones:
   The book reeks of conspiracy theory tropes, from the claim that “everything mankind has consumed over the years is nothing more than a bunch of well-crafted lies” to the us-vs-them mentality of “awakened” versus “asleep” individuals. These sensational claims lack credible evidence and rely heavily on rhetorical flourishes rather than reasoned argumentation.
4. Lack of Critical Analysis:
   The author fails to engage with the Gnostic texts he references critically. There is no discussion of the historical context in which these texts were written nor acknowledge the scholarly debates surrounding their interpretation. Instead, the author presents his interpretations as absolute truth, undermining the book’s intellectual credibility.
5. Philosophical Shallowness:
   The book’s philosophical approach is disappointingly superficial. Complex ideas like “gnosis” (self-knowledge) and the nature of divinity are reduced to simplistic soundbites. For instance, the assertion that the pineal gland is the “Throne of God” is presented without any scientific or philosophical exploration, leaving the reader with more questions than answers.
6. Inconsistent Tone and Style:
   The book oscillates between pseudo-philosophical musings and casual, often jarring language (e.g., expletives and informal dialogue). This inconsistency in tone detracts from the seriousness of the subject matter and makes the book feel amateurish.
7. Unconvincing Characterisation:
   The characters, including the protagonist, Tirth, are poorly developed and lack depth. Tirth’s transformation from a disillusioned content creator to a Gnostic saviour feels forced and unconvincing. The supporting characters, such as Ryan and the Father, are equally one-dimensional, serving more as plot devices than meaningful participants in the narrative.
8. Overreliance on Sensationalism:
   The book relies heavily on sensational claims and dramatic revelations to hold the reader’s attention. For example, the idea that Lucifer is a liberator and the God of the Bible is an evil creator is presented as a groundbreaking revelation. Still, the argument is not substantiated with credible evidence or logical reasoning.
9. Self-Published Limitations:
   The self-published nature of the book is evident in its lack of editorial rigour. Disclaimers stating that the publisher and editor do not endorse the content further undermine the book’s credibility. Including Hebrew text without proper integration or explanation adds to the impression of a hastily assembled work.

Comparison to Scholarly Interpretations

The author’s interpretation of Gnostic texts diverges significantly from scholarly approaches. While scholars engage with these texts critically, acknowledging their historical context and diverse interpretations, the author uses them selectively to support a pre-existing narrative. For example, the portrayal of Lucifer as a liberator and the God of the Bible as an evil creator is a radical oversimplification that ignores the nuanced dualism present in Gnostic thought. Scholarly interpretations emphasise the complexity of these texts, whereas the author’s approach is reductive and sensationalist.

Conclusion

Lucifer was Innocent: The Red Pill is a poorly executed attempt to explore Gnostic spirituality and challenge mainstream religious beliefs. While the book touches on provocative themes, its superficial engagement with Gnostic texts, reliance on conspiracy theory tropes, and lack of critical analysis make it a disappointing read. The author’s hurried rehash of existing ideas, clumsy writing, and inconsistent tone undermine the book’s potential to contribute meaningfully to discussions about spirituality and religion. Ultimately, this book is less a thoughtful exploration of Gnosticism and more a collection of sensational claims masquerading as profound truth. Readers seeking a serious examination of Gnostic texts and their philosophical implications would be better served by turning to scholarly works rather than this unconvincing and poorly crafted narrative.

Rating: 0/5
Lucifer was Innocent: The Red Pill fails to deliver on its ambitious promises, offering little more than a shallow and sensationalist take on Gnostic spirituality. The poor guy should spend some time reading rather than attempting to write what he barely understands.