Customer Reviews

What Did Jesus Really Say-How Christianity Went Astray: [What To Say To A Born Again Christian Fundamentalist, But Never Had The Information]

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a wonderful book!

I also love the intermingling of religion, mysticism, politics, and even science to form a beautiful argument for Jesus while clearly railing against Fundamentalist Christianity.

The author, Peter Cayce, has tied all these subjects together in a well-presented and concise argument.

Liberals will love this book!

Conservatives will probably hate it!

I really enjoyed reading this book!

Now more than ever, the way politics is in the USA, this book is very important. Christianity can actually become a dangerous force when it gets involved in the political process.

Just look at the Inquisition. In fact, the United States today is heading for an inquisition-like type of Christianity. We might not be burning people at the stake, but we are being politically pressured to keep brain-dead people alive and overturn abortion rights. The Christian right wing of the Republican Party is even voting for people who they feel will best perpetuate these conservative beliefs by changing the laws that would force all Americans to accept their beliefs.

This book is a must read for those who are tired of Christian Fundamentalists who quote the New Testament on issues of morality.

In short, what Jesus says is often different from what Christianity says we should do.

Modern Christianity is more about Paul the Apostle than it is about Jesus.

Christians will undoubtedly dislike and even hate this book.

Even though the author is respectful of Jesus and tries not to insult Christians, there will be some of the Christian persuasion who will feel slighted and insulted by this book.

In other words, some Christians will simply not like this book since it diplomatically points out the flaws of their belief structure and may even shake the foundation of their faith a bit. Well, that is until they put their faithful heads back into the proverbial Christian sand again. Hear no evil. See no evil. When in doubt, put your uncertainties aside and have blind faith! Alas, the eternal mantra of Christianity.

Nevertheless, this book has the potential of opening the eyes of the spiritually blind and the spiritually hard of seeing. It answers questions without being scholarly boring or pompous or overly derogatory. The book basically tells the simple truth.

A terrific book and a must read if you're open to the fact that Christianity has gone off-course from the original message of Jesus. But if you are a devout Christian of any kind, you will probably want to skip this one, even if you are most in need of reading it.

This is a very good introduction to this subject. Whereas Jesus is treated with a good deal of respect, the author clearly shows how Christianity is in many ways different from what Jesus Christ actually taught.

The author also touches on various seemingly "unrelated" subjects, but then effectively integrates them into a well written presentation. The main focus of the book, however, is on some of the flaws of Fundamentalist Christianity and how the Apostle Paul and the Disciple John have misconstrued the message of Jesus. Subsequently, the author's primary argument appears to be that Christianity should be based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and not on the teachings of the church.

I must say that I agree wholeheartedly. Christianity should be about what Jesus Christ taught. Not what Paul, John, and other well-meaning Christians have taught over the last 20 centuries. It should be based on the teachings of Jesus, just as Buddhism (for example) should be based on the teachings of Buddha.

I also found it interesting that there are some very completely different stories in the New Testament. For example, I always thought that Judas had committed suicide after betraying Jesus. Even Mel Gibson portrays Judas hanging himself in the "Passion of Christ." I was surprised to learn that there is another very different story in the New Testament where Judas does not commit suicide at all.

Therefore when Fundamentalist Christians claim that the Bible is flawless, that it is God's Holy Word (without error), then how can one accept this when the New Testament is quite clearly flawed.

In addition, I like the way that Science and even Astrophysics (!) is combined with Buddhism, Kabbalah, and Reincarnation and their relation to Christianity and how things may actually work in this universe of ours as well as in our daily lives.

I highly recommend this book as an introduction to anyone interested in this subject. Born Again Christians, however, will not appreciate the author's views.

An excellent introduction to this subject.

As other reviews have already stated, Mr. Cayce treats Jesus with reverence and respect. Instead, the basics flaws of Christianity are evaluated since Christianity often contrasts and conflicts with some of the things Jesus taught (as quoted in the New Testament).

I also like Mr. Cayce's explanation and answer to the eternal question, 'What is the Meaning of Life?'

Also recommended: Holy Blood, Holy Grail

I really loved reading this book. A wonderful introduction to this subject.

I especially liked the chapters on Kabbalah (and even Buddhism) and how they relate to what Jesus taught. Yes, it is very possible that Jesus studied -- at the very least -- or knew the principles of Kabbalah. He was a "mystical Jew" after all who believed in and performed (according to the New Testament) various "kabbalah-like" miracles. So why wouldn't he know the principles of Jewish Mysticism?

Mr. Cayce has also simplified a very complex subject into something very clear, something very basic, and something very succinct -- just as Jesus originally tried to do 2,000 years ago before Christianity all but semi-destroyed his message.

ALSO RECOMMENDED; The Power of Kabbalah, by Yehudah Berg

Two thumbs up! Nice writing style. Pleasant and easy to read.

I especially like Cayce'e chapter on "Dinner with the Christian Fundamentalists." It put a smile on my face.

This book is actually entertaining and enlightening at the very same time. The "Meaning of Life" is even ansewered.

A nice and concise introduction to this subject.

I must admit I didn't really want to read this book. I was talked into it by a relative, and I'm glad I was. It was a very positive book about Jesus and his word. The author is very informed about this subject matter, and I really enjoyed it. I found the book very interesting and informative. I talked my husband into reading it as well ... and he too was extremely impressed. A great read!

This is an excellent introduction. A great book for anyone wanting a simple and concise synopsis and overview of how Christianity has gone off course from the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus is also treated fairly and with respect, and I especially like the way Cayce has used biblical text to argue against Fundamentalist Christianity in the same way that Fundamentalist Christians use biblical text to "prove" their point.

This is an extremely interesting and highly enjoyable book to read.

I also really love the way Mr. Cayce simplifies a very complicated subject. There's something to be said about focusing on Jesus' words first, since the various Christian churches around the world can't even agree on basic tenets of Christianity.

In fact, Christianity has been arguing with itself and other denominations of Christianity for over 2,000 years.

Perhaps it's time to simply get down to the basics and focus on Jesus' words first and foremost. After all, even the disciples of Jesus didn't always agree with each other. And Paul and John tell such a different story about Jesus that you really can't take them seriously. Mr. Cayce, therefore, focuses instead on Jesus' words in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

I also like how the "Meaning of Life" is explained in the last chapter and Epilogue. Could he be right? Very interesting!

I therefore really recommend this book. This is a great introduction for anyone interested in this subject.