The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors; Or, Christianity Before Christ

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Gutenberg ID

38600

Title

The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors; Or, Christianity Before Christ

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Kersey Graves challenges orthodox Christianity by arguing that Jesus Christ was not a unique divine figure but one of sixteen crucified saviors from various ancient cultures. This work claims Christian doctrines, miracles, and prophecies are derived from Oriental and heathen traditions rather than divine revelation.

Summary up to 500 words

In 'The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors; Or, Christianity Before Christ,' Kersey Graves presents a radical historical thesis asserting that the core tenets of Christianity originated in ancient pagan systems. The author contends that science and history reveal Jesus as merely a reformer who borrowed extensively from earlier 'heathen' gods, including Osiris, Krishna, and Apollonius. Graves argues that miracles are natural phenomena misinterpreted by superstitious minds, while prophecies were either fabricated or fulfilled in other cultures long before Christ. The text systematically compares the life of Jesus to sixteen other crucified deities, demonstrating striking parallels in their birth narratives, divine titles, resurrection claims, and sacrificial deaths. Graves asserts that the Bible is a product of its time, reflecting the limited scientific knowledge and moral development of its authors, rather than being an infallible word of God. He critiques the doctrine of the Incarnation as philosophically and physiologically absurd, suggesting it degrades Christ to the level of a mere thaumaturgist. Furthermore, the author claims that ancient civilizations like India and Egypt possessed higher morals and sciences before Christianity's arrival, implying that the religion actually hindered rather than helped human progress. The book serves as an apologetic for skepticism, urging readers to separate historical fact from legendary embellishment and to view religious history through a lens of rational inquiry. Graves argues that every chapter of every bible is but a transcript of the mental chart of the writer, containing nothing surpassing the natural capacity of its author. He posits that ancient writers frequently fabricated stories or colored history to supply assumed omissions, making sacred history profusely inlaid with statements manifestly fabricated for the occasion. Regarding prophecy, Graves contends that every ancient system of religion had its prophets and seers who possessed the power to foresee events, citing examples from Greek and Roman history as well as modern spiritualism. He argues that if prophecy proves the divine nature of Christianity, it must equally validate heathen and spiritual systems. Additionally, the author challenges the notion that Christianity is essential for moral advancement, pointing out that nations like India and Japan achieved high states of civilization and morality without the Bible, whereas some Christian regions suffered from moral degradation due to a lack of arts and sciences. Ultimately, Graves seeks to banish the belief in an incarnate, virgin-born God, arguing that stripping Jesus of miraculous attributes makes his history more rational and beautiful. He views the 'age of miracles' as gone, receding before the advancing genius of civilization and science, which will eventually banish the last vestige of such beliefs.

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Categories

• Religion
• Philosophy