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Pagan and Christian Creeds: Their Origin and Meaning

Chapter 1: Pagan & Christian Creeds: Their Origin and Meaning
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About This Book

This study examines origins of Christian creeds in pagan rites, surveying solar myths, zodiac symbolism, totemic sacraments, food and vegetation magic, the roles of magicians, kings and gods, rites of expiation and redemption, pagan initiations and second birth, the savior-god and virgin-mother motif, ritual dancing and sex taboos, and the genesis and diffusion of Christianity; it considers ancient mysteries and concludes that religious rites and doctrines are symbolic expressions of a central universal life. The author compares competing theories—solar, phallic, euhemerist, and magical—advocating a broad comparative approach that synthesizes diverse facts without overreliance on any single explanation.

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Pagan and Christian Creeds: Their Origin and Meaning

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Pagan and Christian Creeds: Their Origin and Meaning

Author: Edward Carpenter

Release date: December 1, 1998 [eBook #1561]
Most recently updated: November 26, 2022

Language: English

Credits: Charles Keller and David Widger

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PAGAN AND CHRISTIAN CREEDS: THEIR ORIGIN AND MEANING ***

Pagan & Christian Creeds:
Their Origin and Meaning

By Edward Carpenter