The Christian Mythology
Ethel Brigham Leatherbee
Lu par Louise J. Belle
"Knowledge is power, but ignorance is the mother of devotion."
Christianity, like all other religions, came not into the world full-grown, but from the simple conceptions of its early followers became gradually elaborated by the introduction of pagan forms and customs until it supplanted its early rivals and gave its adherents a compact and solid theology not very different from that of its predecessors….
Probably the true source of that human characteristic which is defined as the religious instinct and which is supposed to be an elevating and moral agent, is to be found in the superstition which originated in fear of the unknown….
In our perusal of the subject, we shall first consider the life of Jesus as taught by the Christian church; secondly, the dogmas affecting the source of his power and the results of his influence; and, thirdly, the rites and ceremonies with which his worship is performed.
[from the Preface]
Chapitres
Select a chapter to play
| Preface | 7:38 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| The Virgin Birth | 24:23 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| Pagan Parallels | 24:56 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| Spurious Relics | 7:22 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| Trial and Execution Myths | 15:56 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| Distorted ''Prophecies'' | 7:23 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| The Resurrection | 24:51 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| Miracles | 21:32 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| Atonement and Salvation by Faith | 13:32 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| The Trinity -- Mariolatry | 20:47 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| Saints -- Good and Evil Spirits | 35:39 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| Religious Holidays and Rites | 22:28 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| The Eucharist | 9:41 | Lu par Louise J. Belle | |
| Spread of Christianity | 23:32 | Lu par Louise J. Belle |
Critiques
ennoyae
Harry R
Written in plain English, this intriguing diatribe against Christianity is eloquent and fun. The reader's voice is sonorous and soothing. Her pacing is ideal for digesting the content. As for the writer's ideas, the arguments are varied. Sometimes they reward reflection and sometimes they don't. Before criticising Christian practice she starts with questioning bits of the Bible about Jesus' life, including even the crucifixion. Some attacks are based on the author's preconceived ideas. For example telepathy was a popular belief in her time. She obviously shares it and mentions it along with hypnosis to explain miracles away. Beliefs in other religions are adduced to show that Christian ones are not original. However, the idea of Buddha as judge of the dead and many such glaring absurdities draw the author's claims generally into question. In short, listen to this for great entertainment and some food for thought but with a grain of salt.