Pagan Christs

by J.M. Robertson

"My purpose in grouping the four ensuing studies is to complement and complete the undertaking of a previous volume, entitled Christianity and Mythology. That was substantially a mythological analysis of the Christian system, introduced by a discussion of mythological principles in that particular connection and in general. The bulk of the present volume is substantially a synthesis of Christian origins, introduced by a discussion of the principles of hierology. Such discussion is still forced on sociology by the special pleaders of the prevailing religion. But the central matter of the book is its attempt to trace and synthesise the real lines of growth of the Christian cultus."

Genres: Religion, History, Paganism, Mythology, Nonfiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

John Mackinnon Robertson was a prolific journalist, advocate of rationalism and secularism, and Liberal Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom for Tyneside from 1906 to 1918.

In 1856, John Mackinnon (J.M.) Robertson was born on the Isle of Arran, Scotland. He left school at 13, joined the staff of the Edinburgh Evening News in 1878, and several years later moved to London to work on the National Reformer, Charles Bradlaugh's publication, which he edited until 1893. That year Robertson founded the Free Review, which he published for two years. He lectured in the United States in 1897- 1898. In 1900, Robertson traveled to South Africa to report on martial law for the Morning Leader. From 1906 to 1918 he served in Parliament. Robertson specialized in comparative mythology, and believed Jesus never existed. He wrote Christianity and Mythology (1900) and Pagan Christs (1903), still influential works. Other books include Short History of Christianity (1902) and Short History of Freethought (2 volumes, 1915). His expertise extended to economics, linguistics and politics. "No man has rendered higher service to British Rationalism in the last four decades, and few, especially among self-educated men, have attained such reputable command of so many branches of culture," wrote freethought historian Joseph McCabe in 1920. D. 1933.

More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._M._Ro...

http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/...

https://archive.org/details/christian...

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/39860/...

http://www.leicestersecularsociety.or...

Reviews

[Al Bità · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robertson's controversial 1903 publication recognised the pagan and mythical elements of the standard Christian Gospels. My copy is a 'new revised edition' which was published in 1967 (found in a second-hand bookshop in Brisbane...).

Robertson backs his revelations with strong biblical research to point out and enumerates the many saviour-gods found in all religions. The book then places the Christian claims within this larger context of commonality shared by pagan and other religious stories. Apparently, they are not so original after all...

A classic, this book should be read by anyone who still thinks that the Christian message is unique.

[Jeff Buddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thesis of Robertson's book is that Jesus Christ never existed as a historical figure and is merely an amalgam of far more ancient myths. After over 100 years since the book's publication, this is still a remarkable assertion. That pagan elements seeped into Christianity by way of the Roman church is irrefutable, but to challenge the historicity of its central figure is another thing entirely. I'd recommend the book to both believers and non-believers alike, but the former should be prepared to reckon with some daunting data about the history of savior gods in human antiquity.

[Mcke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've loaned this book to my mom because I found it so fascinating.
I think the only difficulty I had with it is the fact that he addresses the same issue over and over and over again instead of just stating the theory and then backing it up with evidence. But the book is already pretty small, so they probably did it for filler.

[Jutta · Rating 1 out of 5]

this was not what i thought it would be. i thought they would analyze old myths, say from celtic or norse mythology. and show the similarities between the different sacrificed gods. this was just like a high school paper of the author's opinions of the christian mythology.

[Gilbert Wesley Purdy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent introductory overview. There is little detail here.