Customer Reviews

Bible Myths and their Parallels in other Religions

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Doane presents a candid look at Christianity and its parallels in ALL the ancient systems of worship. This book is comparable to Alexander Hislop's The Two Babylons and is very well referenced. The author illustrates his subject matter with various archeological dilineations. Additionally, the author provides clarity to an ancient diety or religious system by providing a brief definition. This book is a great starting point for those begining a study into ancient religions and provides the stepping stones to take one's study in a specific direction. For the informed researcher this book provides a source who's textbook quality could be used as a foundation for further research.

I gave this book as a gift to my son, who is engaged to a Christian girl, and was being strong-armed into that mind-set. He already possessed valid instincts about what God is, and how contrived the bible sounds - but this book helped to really arm him and help him hold his ground. The "word of god" is clearly presented here as being a work of men, altered through time, influenced by many different cultures. We need books like this to steer clear of that superstitious regime!

T.W. Doane delivers with finesee, discussing Christianity and its relation and similarities with the stories from Krishna (Hinduism), Budhha (Buddhism), etc. A must read for every sincere seeker of Truth!

Yes, the 1882 in the title means it was written in 1882 and therefore represents outdated scholarship. This book is very well researched and documented, and represents a fairly comprehensive attempt to prove Christianity and the Bible is just a compilation of borrowed mythology. However, some of the ideas presented are rather far fetched and are easily answered by knowledgeable Christians. For example, the book spends a good deal of time showing how the Christmyth was borrowed mythology from the Krishna myth; but fails to address the reality that the Bhagavata Purana, the Vishnu Purana, and the Harivamsa are all dated by scholars after 325 CE - well after the Christmyth was established. Some scholars even believe the Bhagavad-Gita may have been written after Christ. Also, the book makes false statements, saying that John 9:1-2 preaches the transmigration of souls, when in reality it is clear from the context that Jesus rejects the doctrine of karma. The book also appears to opperate on the questionable neo-pagan assumption that gods and myths from different religions are related, borrowed, and can be equated with each other. Little attention is given to the direction of borrowing or the possibility of similar stories evolving independently. Although well researched, anti-Christian skeptics may be surprised at how easily the ideas in this book can be taken apart.