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by Ian G. Dalziel (Author)
Did you ever pause to wonder how Christianity came to be the world's leading religion? It certainly is a strange belief system, with its flying angels, virgin birth, miracles galore, magic wafers, and that rather strange and unpleasant idea that we are all supposedly born into sin. Nor should we forget that very puzzling man from Nazareth who went to the cross, and seemed to rise again. In "The Curious Evolution of Christianity," the author's skeptical viewpoint, lightened with moments of humor, will help you understand how this faith took shape, from ancient times to the present day. He begins by theorizing about the earliest human fears and superstitions, then examines the ideas Christianity borrowed from neighboring religions in Egypt, India, Persia and Greece. The history of the Hebrews is demystified: their clumsy Creation myth, the Great Flood, the Exodus from Egypt, and a bloodthirsty arrival into the promised land of Canaan. The life, teachings, and objectives of Jesus form the third major section of the book. This includes reviewing the crucifixion, and the strange idea of a resurrection. You will read several theories about what may have happened at the cross, any one of which could explain the resurrection, without requiring any divine intervention whatsoever. The most interesting thing about Jesus, however, may be that his philosophy had little to do with the eventual shape of the Christian Church. You will read how, after Jesus departed the scene, the Christian story morphed into a struggle for power and wealth, with churches vying for control over their populations, and seeking to dominate both religious and secular life. The Curious Evolution of Christianity is an enjoyable read, and a must for skeptics everywhere.
