Pagan & Christian Creeds: Their Origin and Meaning


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(3.4 stars; 4 reviews)

In this work from 1921, Carpenter analyzes the origin of Christian beliefs, arguing that they are derived from pre-Christian myths and religions, rather than being new revelations to the human race. He believes that “psychologically man has evolved from simple consciousness to self-consciousness, and is now in process of evolution towards another and more extended kind of consciousness,” anticipating a post-Christian era. In the penultimate chapter, “The Exodus of Christianity,” he sets out his belief that for Christianity “to hold the field of Religion in the Western World is neither probable nor desirable.” Chapters such as “Solar Myths and Christian Festivals,” “Rites of Expiation and Redemption,” and “The Saviour-God and the Virgin-Mother” analyze his tenet as seen in different contexts. - Summary by Verla Viera (10 hr 42 min)

Chapters

Chapter 1, Introductory 18:23 Read by MFD32
Chapter 2, Part 1, Solar Myths and Christian Festivals 14:32 Read by Verla Viera
Chapter 2, Part 2, Solar Myths and Christian Festivals 15:51 Read by czandra
Chapter 3, Part 1, The Symbolism of the Zodiac 16:22 Read by czandra
Chapter 3, Part 2, The Symbolism of the Zodiac 17:03 Read by Richard Stibbard
Chapter 4, Part 1,Totem-Sacraments and Eucharists 13:55 Read by MFD32
Chapter 4, Part 2,Totem-Sacraments and Eucharists 14:37 Read by MFD32
Chapter 5, Part 1, Food and Vegetation Magic 17:14 Read by czandra
Chapter 5, Part 2, Food and Vegetation Magic 15:30 Read by czandra
Chapter 6, Magicians, Kings and Gods 26:34 Read by MFD32
Chapter 7, Part 1, Rites of Expiation and Redemption 18:15 Read by Richard Stibbard
Chapter 7, Part 2, Rites of Expiation and Redemption 18:20 Read by Richard Stibbard
Chapter 8, Part 1, Pagan Initiations and the Second Birth 20:51 Read by Michelle Angell
Chapter 8, Part 2, Pagan Initiations and the Second Birth 22:05 Read by Michelle Angell
Chapter 9, Part 1, Myth of the Golden Age 22:49 Read by Bill Mosley
Chapter 9, Part 2, Myth of the Golden Age 28:31 Read by Bill Mosley
Chapter 10, The Saviour-God and the Virgin-Mother 20:43 Read by Peter Yearsley
Chapter 11, Part 1, Ritual Dancing 20:12 Read by Richard Stibbard
Chapter 11, Part 2, Ritual Dancing 15:21 Read by Richard Stibbard
Chapter 12, Part 1, The Sex-Taboo 17:10 Read by czandra
Chapter 12, Part 2, The Sex-Taboo 20:45 Read by czandra
Chapter 13, Part 1, the Genesis of Christianity 17:16 Read by czandra
Chapter 13, Part 2, the Genesis of Christianity 15:58 Read by czandra
Chapter 13, Part 3, the Genesis of Christianity 17:04 Read by czandra
Chapter 14, Part 1, The Meaning of It All 17:30 Read by czandra
Chapter 14, Part 2, The Meaning of It All 17:50 Read by czandra
Chapter 15, Part 1, The Ancient Mysteries 17:31 Read by czandra
Chapter 15, Part 2, The Ancient Mysteries 19:58 Read by czandra
Chapter 16, Part 1, The Exodus of Christianity 21:54 Read by Bill Mosley
Chapter 16, Part 2, The Exodus of Christianity 16:55 Read by Bill Mosley
Chapter 17, Conclusion 17:26 Read by czandra
Appendix, Part 1, The Teaching of the Upanishads 17:17 Read by czandra
Appendix, Part 2, The Teaching of the Upanishads 12:31 Read by czandra
Appendix, Part 3, The Teaching of the Upanishads 38:00 Read by czandra