
audiobook
THE WORLD'S SIXTEEN CRUCIFIED SAVIORS - OR, CHRISTIANITY BEFORE CHRIST
By Kersey Graves
PREFACE.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
EXPLANATION
ADDRESS TO THE CLERGY.
THE WORLD'S SIXTEEN CRUCIFIED SAVIORS.
CHAPTER I. RIVAL CLAIMS OF THE SAVIORS
CHAPTER II. MESSIANIC PROPHECIES
CHAPTER III. PROPHECIES BY THE FIGURE OF A SERPENT - The Seed of the Woman Bruising the Serpent's Head.
This work offers a bold, scholarly tour through the ancient myths that echo the story most familiar to Western readers. By gathering accounts of sixteen different figures who met a violent end on a cross, the author shows how themes of prophecy, virgin birth, miraculous deeds, and divine ascent recur far beyond the borders of early Christianity. The opening chapters lay out the striking similarities that suggest a shared cultural heritage rather than isolated invention.
Through careful comparison of legends from Egypt, Persia, India, and the Near East, the book maps out the pathways by which ideas about salvation, sacrifice, and the afterlife traveled across continents. It examines rituals such as baptism, the concept of a holy spirit, and the symbolism of the holy trinity, tracing each back to older, non‑Christian sources. The analysis is presented in a clear, conversational style that makes complex historical arguments accessible to a modern ear.
Listeners will come away with a fresh perspective on familiar narratives, invited to see how ancient traditions intertwine and influence one another. The study encourages thoughtful reflection on what we consider unique to any one faith, opening a dialogue between past and present belief systems.
Language
en
Duration
~12 hours (727K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2012-01-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1813–1883
A 19th-century American freethinker and reform writer, he became best known for challenging orthodox religion and arguing for broad comparisons across world faiths. His books made him a notable voice on the lecture circuit and in radical religious debate of his time.
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