
audiobook
Pagan & Christian Creeds: Their Origin and Meaning - By Edward Carpenter
I. INTRODUCTORY
II. SOLAR MYTHS AND CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS
III. THE SYMBOLISM OF THE ZODIAC
IV. TOTEM-SACRAMENTS AND EUCHARISTS
V. FOOD AND VEGETATION MAGIC
VI. MAGICIANS, KINGS AND GODS
VII. RITES OF EXPIATION AND REDEMPTION
VIII. PAGAN INITIATIONS AND THE SECOND BIRTH
IX. MYTH OF THE GOLDEN AGE
Delving into the tangled roots of humanity’s spiritual life, this work invites listeners to trace how countless cultures have tried to capture a single, universal truth through myth, ritual, and creed. The author sketches the scholarly landscape, showing how each generation— from solar‑worshippers to phallic theorists, Euhemerists, and nature‑spirit enthusiasts—has reshaped the narrative to fit its own intellectual fashions. Along the way, the text highlights the perils of cherry‑picking evidence, reminding us that the very abundance of data can both illuminate and mislead.
Through clear, engaging prose, the book surveys the major hypotheses that have defined the study of religious origins, referencing pioneers such as Dupuis, Frazer, and Robertson while critiquing their partial views. It also reveals how a controversial clergyman’s bold synthesis sparked fierce debate, even leading to his expulsion and imprisonment. Listeners will come away with a richer appreciation for the complex tapestry of ideas that have sought to explain why we create gods and what those creations say about our deepest nature.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (569K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Charles Keller and David Widger Updated: 2022-11-26.
Release date
1998-12-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1844–1929
A radical English writer and social thinker, he challenged Victorian ideas about class, sexuality, work, and the good life. His books and poems helped shape early conversations about socialism, personal freedom, and same-sex love.
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