Customer Reviews

Deceptions And Myths Of The Bible

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3 star:		(6)
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1 star:		(15)

 

 

I read this book about 10 years ago, and actually want to re-read it and independently verify much of what is written there piece by piece. I don't think Christians should ignore this book, and should probably spend some time and some cyberspace critiquing and discussing its flaws, merits, and any misinformation. I get the feeling a lot of people have read it.

Though I did like the book and found it to be thought-provoking, the main thing that makes me feel uncomfortable is that there is no biographical information on the author. I have searched web pages and news groups, but all I can find is more than a few quotes from this book, and others seeking information about the author him(her?)self, and the general reliability of his information. Obviously "Lloyd M. Graham" could be a pen name. However, the copyright is under simply "Lloyd Graham." Also disconcerting is the total lack of a bibliography. For a book which is written with a scholarly approach, there is little scholarly research cited! Other than the Bible, only a few other books are mentioned as sources, and only as footnotes at least in the edition I have.

Graham spends a lot of time outlining what can easily be described as New Age cosmology. The zodiacal precession theory he uses is reminiscent of what Anthony Burgess used as the foundation for his book "The Wanting Seed" (also recommended). One way to make this palatable is to view the astrological beliefs as what the [i]ancients[/i] believed, not necessarily the author, thus giving the Bible an entirely different spin than what we're used to. Someone familiar with Gnosticism would probably be more at home with this work.

It should, hopefully, be obvious that much of what he writes, especially concerning our solar system is just plain wrong, and is reminiscent of Carl Sagan's synopsis of Velikovsky's "Worlds in Collision". Still, how much would the ancients have known about what we know now? Again, the book is more readable if you imagine yourself living 3000 years ago or more. I don't see how anybody can realistically deny the influence of astrology in ancient religions, and be so stubborn as to deny a carry over of this symbolism into the Bible. Also, it seems that much of what Graham postulated is being increasingly supported or at least argued by modern biblical scholars, at least that's the impression I get.

Graham's overall tone is angry, hostile, and contemptuous of whoever reads his book. He spends a huge chunk of his book towards the end with a scathing attack on the Roman Catholic Church, which seemed to me to be off-topic given the main subject matter.

I have read some other New Age material, and Graham's book is far better than the usual pseudo-mystical fare. There is much meat; good argumentation (though little documentation), typical New Age word games (though interesting), a lot of stuff about the Bible itself and history that one may not be familiar with, and it gives the reader much to think about which is very rare in "bookdom". I would hope that if the author is still with us that he would rework it into a new, better edition with a proper bibliography and with an objective tone.

This book was recommended to me by a friend some years ago.
It's very abstract and quite frankly I don't believe all the points about his own comosgonic/cosmologic theories. BUT, when it comes to doing some comparative religion, this book points out very succinctly where a lot of those Bible myths originated and it wasn't on Mt. Sinai.
Also, some footnotes and references would have been good. Like Isaac Asimov's Guide to the Bible, nothing is cross referenced. I find that unacceptable. But the book is otherwise quite good.

This exposition by Mr. Graham is exasperating and invaluable. Like other reviewers, I desired footnotes and references not so much to back up the author's point of view, but to use as a guide to my own research. Noting that there would be no footnotes or bibliography, I took the book as a wonderful anti-religious screed that certainly breaks down in many places but is invaluable as an ignitor of new thought-sparks in any open-minded person. I have referred to Mr. Graham's book over the years as a source for inspiration! There are few books about the Bible that will suggest better to the reader that perhaps the Emperor Jehovah is wearing no clothes. If you are not satisfied with the confusing hotch-potch that is the Western Holy Book, join Mr. Graham for a non-stop rant.
In addition:
Much of the criticism of this book involves the lack of documentation, footnotes and bibliography. Would those who complain of these flaws also note that their Bible equally lacks original documentation, footnotes and bibliography? Graham attacks this book on its own terms. His intention is not to present another reverent scholarly text on the group of writings known as the Bible. Yes, this is a screed, but it is a brilliant screed. Graham's hermeneutics are original and do not indulge in the incestuous patter of which you may be accustomed. Do not mistake Graham's presentation of the mindset of the writers of the Bible as his own. Do not confuse his exploration of the confusion of the Bible as his own confusion. This book may be as important to your spiritual liberty as Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" was to the freedom of the American Colonials. Let the man speak for himself:
"There is nothing 'holy' about the Bible, nor is it 'the word of God.' It was not written by God-inspired saints, but by power-seeking priests. Who but priests consider sin the paramount issue? Who but priests write volumes of religious rites and rituals? No one, but for these priestly scribes sin and rituals were imperatives: their purpose was to found on them an awesome religion. By this intellectual tyranny they sought to gain control, and they achieved it. By 400 B.C. they were the masters of ancient Israel. For so great a project they needed a theme, a framework, and this they found in the Creation lore of more knowledgeable races. This they commandeered and perverted - the natural to the supernatural, and truth to error. The Bible is, we assert, but priest-perverted cosmology." [Lloyd M. Graham, Deceptions and Myths Of The Bible, p. 1]
"The Bible is not 'the word of God,' but stolen from pagan sources. Its Eden, Adam and Eve were taken from the Babylonian account; its Flood or Deluge is but an epitome of some four hundred flood accounts; its Ark and Ararat have their equivalents in a score of Deluge myths; even the names of Noah's sons are copies, so also Isaac's sacrifice, Solomon's judgement, and Samson's pillar act; its Moses is fashioned after the Syrian Mises; its laws after Hammurabi's code. Its Messiah is derived from the Egyptian Mahdi, Savior, certain verses are verbatim copies of Egyptian scriptures. Between Jesus and the Egyptian Horus, Gerald Massey found 137 similarities, and those between Christ and Krishna run into the hundreds. How then can the Bible be a revelation to the Jews?" [Lloyd M. Graham, Deceptions and Myths Of The Bible, p. 5]
"From all this we see that the mystery of life is man-made, not God-made. When an ignorant priesthood introduced the supernatural into a perfectly natural universe, it threw confusion into the human mind. The result was a myriad warring religions and philosophies all trying like the blind men with the elephant, to explain the whole by something felt (emotional) instead of seen (mental). Only in our theory can these warring elements be harmonized, and the paradox posed by religion - divine source and savage nature - be resolved." [Lloyd M. Graham, Deceptions and Myths Of The Bible, pp. 13-14]
"Strip the theists of their mythological authority and you see the atheists have been right, not in denying a Creator, which they do not, but in denying the God of religion, which they do and rightly so. It is from these that all enlightened government comes, including that of our founding fathers, most of them atheists and we could fill pages with their atheism. In spite of this fact no avowed atheist can hold a government position. This too is due to religion. The Church fears atheism, not because it is inimical to human welfare but because it is inimical to its welfare. The churchmen want their mythical God because in him they live and move and have their cake and eat it too. The Church has thus become an institution for the care and maintenance of God, not man. You can say anything about man, and the Church will do nothing, but speak one word against its God and the whole benighted crew will rise in wrath against you. They should read Joshua again, then ask themselves which is the true God, the God of Joshua or the God of Jesus? They cannot both be right, yet Joshua was written before the darkness fell completely. That darkness is still upon the churchmen and while they sleep nature's savage forces kill and kill; compare them with Joshua's God and you find they agree completely." Lloyd M. Graham "Deceptions and Myths of the Bible"

Wow, I'm surprised at all the negative reviews here. I usually expect this sort of thing from fanatics. I think those who find so much fault in this book, either haven't fully read it, lack a logical mind to understand it, or perhaps lack the imagination to consider other possibilities beyond the "Creationism/ Big Bang-Evolution Paradigms". Also, I don't think it's necessary to have a purely "scholarly" work in this case. Graham's main thrust is to compare these ancient mythologies through the process of "correspondence and analogy" to which he adds a conclusion which he thinks is reasonable. Besides, "scholars" can often be trapped in the same old ways of thinking, particularly when it comes to translations of ancient texts. Many beliefs about the meanings of texts have been based on the assumption that the earlier translations were correct. Much of western though is based on these assumptions on top of assumptions about the myths. Therefore a new look, uncluttered by past assumptions, is at least refreshing. On the science criticism, I don't think any theory of planetary origins are set in stone. The current theory of the "Big Bang" has evidence that can be studied, and is based on sound logic, but I don't think you could find any open-minded scientist who would say that Graham's (or the myth's authors) theory is impossible.

Perhaps the only real problem with this book is Graham's arrogance. I think he would have been much better off using phrases such as "I believe" and/or "it seems likely they (the original myth's authors) believed, or meant", although he often uses the phrase: "with our theory".

Any way you look at it, this book is a must read. Even if you just get some of the meanings of the Judeo/Christian myths, you can have loads of fun checking out the others from which they were derived and see some of hidden the allegorical meanings.

The controversy which is so perseveringly carried on in our own day between supernaturalists and rationalists, rests on the failure to recognize the allegorical nature of all religion. -- Schopenhauer

All metaphysical philosophers and intrested people should read this book. The author has a profound understanding of comparitive religion. He shows that all religions teach the same thing, but that christianity only took out parts of the ancient pagan teachings to fit its own agendas. Graham is an excellent writer and a true skeptic. He examines both sides of the evidence, and comes to accurate conclusions. One of the most intresting parts of the book, is that he shows that the devil is the shadow side of god. He brilliantly shows how the christian churches did not find an original religion, but that their religion is nothing more than a rehash of ancient pagan religions. He also slams science in the process, showing that many so called scientific discoveries were known long ago. Graham is a brilliant thinker and writer as well as a careful researcher. If you want to know what a true skeptic is like, read this book. Graham spares nothing from skepticism, and in the process proves himself to be a genuine truth seeker and wise man. An excellent, brilliant book.

Those folks who have a background in, or knowledge of metaphysics and/or the occult will appreciate this thought-provoking book. While I do not agree 100% with the author, much of what he writes makes logical sense. His view that much of the Bible is a re-working of pagan myths is right on the money. At the very least, it certainly shows that there is more than one way to interpret the Bible. A fascinating read for those who are searching for the truth and aren't afraid of deposing, or should I say, exposing, their indoctrinated religious beliefs.

I have read NUMEROUS books written by Christain folks who simply spit out the same asinine "insights" that leads us to the current world madness.

Mr. Graham's work stands out because he offers no apologies. He does not cave into being "policitally correct". Many of things he covers can not be understood within the short space he has to work. So to hit as many points as he wishes to cover he leaves it up to us, the readers, to explore his insights deeper.

For those Christains who wish to dismiss this work it is out of fear that perhaps the myths they have been hanging onto all their lives are just so many ghosts. Looking into our current day understanding of the atomic structure of life we find Graham just may not be so far off the mark.

Is there a God? Graham does not dismiss God in his book. What he actually describes is a God that is NOT wrapped up in our stupid little twisted views of reality.

In the end, man wrote the bible. Plain and simple. So all the concepts, ideas and stupidity comes from man's viewpoint. Some say God inspired man to write the bible. But the bible is NOT one "book" at all. It has been assembled. Picked through and chosen. How strange God could not "write" one clear cut work. A manual to life so to speak. Instead we have these ancient scriptures that even today are being RE-WRITTEN to better conform to what the "church" wants us to believe.

In chats I say the bible will be completely re-written in 1,000 years. I actually think it will be completed in less time. And today we see this being done.

Graham's work is not as "light" as some would have it. One must dig deeper to flesh out his thinking. Unlike the ready-made answers from a lost church Graham presents a pathway of study for anyone willing to take up the work. In the end, it will be the serious student who provides the footnotes to Graham's book.

Who is Lloyd M Graham? Where does he live? If anybody can tell me I will make an annual pilgrimage on his birthday to his home and genuflect on his front lawn. My copy of this book has the word BIBLE on the cover in larger print than the rest of the title and this is fitting because this IS my Bible. I found this book in my grandmother's collection of Christian Science books. I don't know if she believed it but I know I do. This book is not targeted for everyone. If you are a die-hard Believer you will find the author both arrogant and conceited, while dismissing the book as blasphemy, wacky, and full of vein popping lies. This book is targeted for the lukewarm Believer, Agnostic, and Atheist. I won't discuss the meat of the book except to say that it reads as if the robots from Mystery Science Theater 3000 picked apart the Bible with their sarcasm, intelligence, and wit. Who knows maybe a young Tom Servo is the true author. What does need to be addressed is the wacky parts of the book. I have three theories as to why the author included these parts. The first theory is that he meant to use the wackiness as a sort of spoon full of sugar that would help the bitter medicine of picking the Bible apart go down easier. Another theory is that the wackiness of the book would allow the true Believer to easily dismiss the book as crazy while more cerebral, open minds would overlook the wacky parts. Without the wacky parts this book would be a nonstop diatribe against the Bible that would have made Lloyd Graham more hated than Salman Rushdie ever was. The third theory is that the author actually believes in the occult like wackiness he writes about, which wouldn't bode well for serious acceptance of this book by scholars. Back when I was in college I remember reading about how many great thinkers over the past 2000 years have dismissed the Bible for various reasons. Many thought it became corrupted in the years following its appearance. It seems to me that today nobody questions the authenticity of the Bible anymore. If you believe in Jesus & God then the Bible is the last word. I feel Graham's suspicion about the Bible's authors has a ring of truth about it considering the way today's Conservative Republicans twist the Bible to suit their own needs that control others. I think the most important message this book has is that we should "devote our time to man instead of God and to civilizing ourselves instead of saving our souls that were never lost." This is my first book review and it will be my last. That is how important I think this book is to Civilization.

I bought this book at the suggestion of a friend of mine. I can appreciate Graham's debunking the biblical myths and the notion that the god of the Old and New Testament is loving. However, I would have appreciated of he gave references and footnotes to where these older myths the bible is founded on can be located? Are these stories found on cuniform stones, ancient papyrus manuscripts, cave walls? I'm not doubting that his assertions are true. I just want to be able to talk and argue with bible boppers intelligently. Also, how do we know the ages of these older records? Carbon dating methods or just by the age of the older civilizations? You have to realize that the Jews expecially (I'm Jewish by the way) have all kinds of explanations of how the Jewish Bible is the oldest document. That Adam and Abraham spoke Hebrew and knew the Bible before it was written down. I'd really like to debunk all this BS and if I have to write another book myself, I will.

This is a good work, and ranks up there with Rescuing the Bible From Fundamentalism to question the abuses of power that the Church has and continues to do, all in the name of infallibility. The Bible, as many Christians seem to forget wasn't written by God, it was written by man. Lloyd Graham helps to expose the lies that we are brainwashed into believing as the truth.

-Mick in Arizona