| Title: | Pagan and Christian Creeds |
| Subtitle: | Their Origin and Meaning |
| Availability: | In Print |
| Publisher: | Gorgias Press |
| |
| By Edward Carpenter |
| ISBN: | 978-1-61719-332-3 |
| Availability: | In Print |
| Publication Date: | 1/2011 |
| From the 1920 edition |
| Language: | English |
| Format: | Paperback, Black, 6 x 9 in |
| Pages: | 319 |
An efflorescence of the anthropological method of comparative religion, this work is a lifetime's collection by Edward Carpenter, resigned Anglican clergyman, socialist, and sexual reformer, on the history of pagan cults and Christianity. Two separate astronomical theories of the Nativity, totems and the sacrifice of gods, the genesis of cults from collective consciousness to the expression of individuality, redemption and the significance of initiation rites, savior cults from India to Mexico, and the implications of this for the future of religion are but a few of the topics covered. Carpenter wonders if Christian asceticism is a justified reaction to excess. Moreover, he speculates the possibility of a more social religion coming to be. This volume also includes an appendix on the doctrine of the Upanishads.
Table of Contents
- CONTENTS
(page 7)
- PAGAN AND CHRISTIAN CREEDS THEIR ORIGIN AND MEANING
(page 9)
- II: SOLAR MYTHS AND CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS (page 19)
- III: THE SYMBOLISM OF THE ZODIAC (page 36)
- IV: TOTEM-SACRAMENTS AND EUCHARISTS (page 54)
- V: FOOD AND VEGETATION MAGIC (page 69)
- VI: MAGICIANS, KINGS AND GODS (page 86)
- VII: RITES OF EXPIATION AND REDEMPTION
(page 100)
- VIII: PAGAN INITIATIONS AND THE SECOND BIRTH
(page 117)
- IX: MYTH OF THE GOLDEN AGE
(page 137)
- X: THE SAVIOUR-GOD AND THE VIRGIN-MOTHER
(page 154)
- XI: RITUAL DANCING
(page 163)
- XII: THE SEX-TABOO
(page 180)
- XIII: THE GENESIS OF CHRISTIANITY
(page 198)
- XIV: THE MEANING OF IT ALL
(page 222)
- XV: THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES
(page 239)
- XVI: THE EXODUS OF CHRISTIANITY
(page 257)
- CONCLUSION
(page 271)
- APPENDIX
(page 281)
- I: REST
(page 283)
- II: THE NATURE OF THE SELF (page 295)
- INDEX
(page 309)
