Pagan Christs: Studies in Comparative Hierology

by J.M. Robertson

Book Overview

Pagan Christs: Studies in Comparative Hierology is a book written by John M. Robertson that explores the similarities between pagan religions and Christianity. The book argues that many of the stories and beliefs in Christianity can be traced back to earlier pagan religions, and that Christianity was heavily influenced by these religions. Robertson examines various mythologies and religious practices from ancient cultures such as Egypt, Greece, and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1162624590
• ISBN13: 9781162624594
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 482 Pages
• Weight: 2.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 8.3" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Superb Introduction to Comparative Religion

`Pagan Christs' is actually a more approachable (simplified) version of another work, `Pagan Christs: Studies in Comparative Hierology' (1928) and should be viewed in that context. Indeed, the explanatory scholarship and arguments are detailed in the earlier book, and it is logical to assume one would have read it before coming to `Pagan Christs'. Having said that, I believe the more natural step is to read `Pagan Christs' FIRST - then go to the more compendious volume for the scholarly details, logical arguments etc. The key or core theme exposed in this book - and Robertson's other effort- is that Christianity is not a unique God-man religion. Many others preceded it and there is solid evidence that Christianity's scribes (who put together the New Testament) liberally copied from the earlier efforts. Some common themes, commonalities include: Jesus was born of a Virgin ("Anahita") like his predecessor Mithra (Mithras), also - like Mithra- Jesus suffered a public execution, was buried, and "ascended" into heaven. Followers of Mithra consumed a sacred meal ("Myazda") which was completely analogous to the Cathololic Eucharist. In addition, those who refused to partake of the body and blood of Mithras were condemned to everlasting perdition. This is not amazing or astounding since "theophagy" (eating the god) dates far back into antiquity (p. 33). In any case, the eucharist, burial and resurrection are all Mithraic in origin (p. 53). In his excellent expose article (`How Jesus Got A Life', The American Atheist, June, 1992, p. 46) author Frank Zindler notes even more comparisons, such as: Mithras was born on December 25th (the Winter Solstice, according to crude computations of the time); he was also worshipped on SUN-days (being a solar deity), and the leader was called "papa" (pope) and ruled from the "mithraeum" on Vatican Hill in Rome. In addition, the hat for Catholic bishops - the "mitre" - is derived directly from a similar hat worn by Mithraic priests. Much controversy surrounds whether there was in fact a "Book of Mithras" - but the evidence seems to be there wasn't. Instead, there were likely excerpted teachings, doctrines that migrated into many other sources, such as the Zendavesta (and specifically the "Izeds" within). Robertson's thesis, which is plausible, is that Christianity suppressed outward Mithraic teachings when it "absorbed it" (p. 114). He also points to "elaborate treatises" from ancient scholars such as Porphyry setting forth the religion of Mithra in detail, but "every one of these has been destroyed by the care of the Church" (ibid.) Robertson believes as much narrative as didactic material was extirpated. Clearly, it would need to be - since if it remained extant - skeptics might deduce the Christians stole their themes from the Mithraists. As it is there is more than ample evidence to show they did! (But readers are again referred to Robertson's earlier book) Of more immediate concern, perhaps, is exactly ho

Was Jesus a historical figure?

Was Jesus of Nazareth a historical figure? The answer to this often unaksed question is usually assumed to be "yes". In Pagan Christs John Robinson researches this dilema with unconventional and startling results. By looking at the origins of Christianity, pre-Christain and non-Christain religious rituals and the existing historical documents pertaining to the life of Jesus of Nazareth, Robinson attempts to answer this important question and address the common assuptions about Christianity's supposed founding figure. Was Jesus of Nazareth a unique phenomenon? Did he even exist, or is he purely mythological fiction? What of the pre-Christian crucifiction rituals and mythology in the ancient world? Robinson ties all of these important questions together in his quest to reveal the existence, or the fiction of Jesus of Nazareth. Robinson's work is guarenteed to challenge your assumtions about the figure of Jesus, and to change the way you view the accounts of his life and death.