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Man Made God
"Man Made God" comprises a series of fascinating articles from the author of the classic best-seller "The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets." Extraordinary independent scholar of comparative religion and mythology Barbara G. Walker takes us through a riveting journey back in time to when the Goddess and her consort/son ruled supreme, into the era when the patriarchy usurped Her worship, right up to Barbara's own personal experience being raised a Christian.
In this remarkable collection, Walker turns a critical eye towards:
• Religion as big business
• Religion's effects on children
• The Bible as a "moral guide" and "history"
• Biblical infallibility
• The doctrine of "original sin"
• The biblical attitude towards sexuality
• God as "Father"
• Church doctrine regarding women
• Church history vis-à-vis the Dark Ages, Inquisition, and book- and witch-burning
• Christian afterlife traditions
• Traditional Christian origins
• And much more…
A brilliant exposé of the long lost history of religious ideology, including goddess worship, and a scathing indictment of the male-dominated cultus, this frank and exceptional analysis unveils mysteries that have perplexed mankind for millennia and unravels detrimental religious ideologies that have been plaguing humanity for equally long.
Barbara G. Walker is also the author of "The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects," "The Crone," "Feminist Fairy Tales," "The Book of Sacred Stones," and other fine works.
In this remarkable collection, Walker turns a critical eye towards:
• Religion as big business
• Religion's effects on children
• The Bible as a "moral guide" and "history"
• Biblical infallibility
• The doctrine of "original sin"
• The biblical attitude towards sexuality
• God as "Father"
• Church doctrine regarding women
• Church history vis-à-vis the Dark Ages, Inquisition, and book- and witch-burning
• Christian afterlife traditions
• Traditional Christian origins
• And much more…
A brilliant exposé of the long lost history of religious ideology, including goddess worship, and a scathing indictment of the male-dominated cultus, this frank and exceptional analysis unveils mysteries that have perplexed mankind for millennia and unravels detrimental religious ideologies that have been plaguing humanity for equally long.
Barbara G. Walker is also the author of "The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects," "The Crone," "Feminist Fairy Tales," "The Book of Sacred Stones," and other fine works.
541 pages
First published April 15, 2010
36 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Barbara G. Walker
36 books134 followersBarbara Walker studied journalism at the University of Pennsylvania and then took a reporting job at the Washington Star in DC. During her work as a reporter, she became increasingly interested in feminism and women's issues.
Her writing career has been split between knitting instruction books, produced in the late 1960s through the mid-80s; and women's studies and mythology books, produced from the 1980s through the early 21st C.
Her writing career has been split between knitting instruction books, produced in the late 1960s through the mid-80s; and women's studies and mythology books, produced from the 1980s through the early 21st C.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 25, 2011
Man Made God: A Collection of Essays by Barbara G. Walker
Man Made God is a collection of interesting essays from the excellent author Barbara G. Walker. The critical essays are about the nature and history of religion and mythology from the female perspective. In a very compelling and educational manner the author exposes the truth behind man-made driven beliefs. The book sheds light on the key differences between matriarchal and patriarchal societies.
Positives:
1. Great education of religious history from a woman's perspective. As a man, I take for granted that many of the religious beliefs in western culture are the product of male-conceived beliefs. For that alone, I thank Ms. Walker for the education.
2. Well researched and interesting history.
3. It's truly amazing how enlightening this book is. I had very little knowledge of the depths that men suppressed women through religion. Eye opening indeed.
4. The sins of the Church are so numerous...there are many examples provided in full detail. Massacres, genocides, infanticides, etc...
5. Some of the most controversial eye-opening biblical passages explained in direct, compelling manner.
6. Great quotes abound. Great reference material.
7. Many great freethinkers are referenced. I enjoyed the references to some of the lesser known female freethinkers in particular.
8. Sound use of logic and reasoning.
9. Some great explanations of religious concepts such as: blood as an essential substance of salvation, human sacrifice, doctrine of resurrection, afterlife, souls (always a personal favorite), original sin, and so many more.
10. A number of fascinating facts throughout the book. Did you know that biblical scholars have noted about 2,000 discrepancies in the Bible? I do now. You will also find out how many scientific errors have been found in the Bible too...it's in this good book, "Man Made God".
11. The best book bar none regarding Goddess worship and its evolution.
12. Critical thinkers will love this book.
13. It's a great book for all levels of scholarship.
14. Good job with the Kindle version. Links work well.
Negatives:
1. Repetitive at times but understandably so because it is a collection of essays.
2. As with any book of essays, some essays will be of more interest than others and at times can get a little dry. However, few and far between.
3. Of course, there are some topics I wanted more depth of information, such as religion as big business and the concept of souls but now I'm just being greedy. That being said, the extensive bibliography provides so many great resources to further quench my thirst of knowledge.
In summary, this book exemplifies why I enjoy reading so much. Barbara G. Walker and friends, provides so many well researched essays and so much knowledge that I am appreciative of her efforts. I highly recommend this book.
Man Made God is a collection of interesting essays from the excellent author Barbara G. Walker. The critical essays are about the nature and history of religion and mythology from the female perspective. In a very compelling and educational manner the author exposes the truth behind man-made driven beliefs. The book sheds light on the key differences between matriarchal and patriarchal societies.
Positives:
1. Great education of religious history from a woman's perspective. As a man, I take for granted that many of the religious beliefs in western culture are the product of male-conceived beliefs. For that alone, I thank Ms. Walker for the education.
2. Well researched and interesting history.
3. It's truly amazing how enlightening this book is. I had very little knowledge of the depths that men suppressed women through religion. Eye opening indeed.
4. The sins of the Church are so numerous...there are many examples provided in full detail. Massacres, genocides, infanticides, etc...
5. Some of the most controversial eye-opening biblical passages explained in direct, compelling manner.
6. Great quotes abound. Great reference material.
7. Many great freethinkers are referenced. I enjoyed the references to some of the lesser known female freethinkers in particular.
8. Sound use of logic and reasoning.
9. Some great explanations of religious concepts such as: blood as an essential substance of salvation, human sacrifice, doctrine of resurrection, afterlife, souls (always a personal favorite), original sin, and so many more.
10. A number of fascinating facts throughout the book. Did you know that biblical scholars have noted about 2,000 discrepancies in the Bible? I do now. You will also find out how many scientific errors have been found in the Bible too...it's in this good book, "Man Made God".
11. The best book bar none regarding Goddess worship and its evolution.
12. Critical thinkers will love this book.
13. It's a great book for all levels of scholarship.
14. Good job with the Kindle version. Links work well.
Negatives:
1. Repetitive at times but understandably so because it is a collection of essays.
2. As with any book of essays, some essays will be of more interest than others and at times can get a little dry. However, few and far between.
3. Of course, there are some topics I wanted more depth of information, such as religion as big business and the concept of souls but now I'm just being greedy. That being said, the extensive bibliography provides so many great resources to further quench my thirst of knowledge.
In summary, this book exemplifies why I enjoy reading so much. Barbara G. Walker and friends, provides so many well researched essays and so much knowledge that I am appreciative of her efforts. I highly recommend this book.
November 3, 2019
It was never the best of times
My courses on the Old Testament and the New Testament were fairly presented, but I wish this tome had been also included as required reading. The same goes for Philosophy 101, and psychology 101.
Although there no “real” surprises, more is exposed here than I had previously surmised. And, obviously, Walker’s book will not change the world because it has only a small readership and because faith always trumps science. Walker seems to be “preaching to the choir.”
Some interesting lines include Mark Twain’s “Faith is believing in something even when you know it ain’t so,” that there appears little distinction between religion and show business, each Christian sect creating its own Jesus (p. 21), how your perception of god tells what you really are (p. 21), virginity could bring about the end of the world (p.235) and so much more.
The discussion of the inquisition was frightening, but not as much so, to me at least, as the discussion of fundamentalism in America. Read it yourself and see what I mean.
I do, however, wish the section on biblical contradictions had been expanded.
But, reading this book is both a worthwhile and edifying experience.
If you found this book interesting, you might also enjoy “Woe to the Women” by Gaylor and “The Gospel of the Good Fairy” by Charles.
November 30, 2018
Every woman and girl should read this book... Over and over and over again and all of Barbara G Walker books
They're essential works for women and girls F2f to regain the knowledge of who they are and who they have been.
They're essential works for women and girls F2f to regain the knowledge of who they are and who they have been.
October 4, 2018
I loved this book. No explanation needed.
July 11, 2023
Life changing for this ex- Christian! My new bible!
May 21, 2015
This book is a collection of essays. The author writes mostly about the contradictions in Christian and Jewish scripture. She, as an atheist, is a very harsh critic. Some of her essays are very interesting, describing in detail early pagan thought processes. As an atheist, she can be annoying as well, stating the prayer is useless: but I need some kind of hope! She occasionally over generalizes about such topics as what early Man was like: no one can prove that they were all peaceful!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews