76 of 86 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Religious history -- true or false? The choice is yours., November 12, 2007
Sylvia Browne's book titled The Two Marys undoubtedly deals with a controversial topic- that Mary, Jesus' mother, and Mary Magdalene who became Jesus' wife and mother of his children - were two women who played a significant part in his life and in religious history when women were thought to be illiterate and only good for bearing children and keeping the house. According to Browne's account, Jesus respected and honored the women in his life and involved them in his teaching about God the Father who is loving, compassionate, and kind rather than the vengeful God of the Old Testament.
For those who follow the Bible religiously, Browne's book will challenge them to think and perhaps even anger them as she questions the origins of Christianity and how much impact the Council of Nicaea in 325 had in shaping the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Browne questions whether other gospels once existed and were destroyed to perpetuate a religion which controls through fear and intimidation.
Browne suggests that people today should live their lives with good intentions as they seek spirituality and not be intimidated by religious dogma and man-made rules. She states that "God doesn't care about what religion you practice or whether or not you practice any religion at all, as long as it makes you happy and more spiritual" (p. 168).
How does all of this relate specifically to the two Marys? Browne makes it perfectly clear that through her research she has determined that Jesus' mother was his protector who listened for information that could harm him and interrupt his teachings. Magdalene, on the other hand, was Jesus' confidante, wife, and the one destined to carry on his teachings when his job had ended.
Rather than a scathing assault on Christianity, Browne requests that the reader think and not judge. Is everything in any historical document absolutely correct? Is there any way we can validate stories that originated in the oral traditions and were only written in later years?
Reading this book will either reinforce your current beliefs in the teachings about Christianity or challenge you to look at new evidence and make your own decisions. Either way, Browne suggests that the choice is yours. Jesus said to his disciples, "He who has ears to hear let him hear" (p. 186). The same is true for readers who have to come to terms with their beliefs and either refute or accept what Browne purports. Either way, this book is exceptional reading because in 7 chapters the reader walks through religious history and perhaps learns answers to questions that were always left to interpretation.
Read the book first, and then make your own conclusions about the validity of what's written in religious history. Contemporary man is blessed with the right to free choice and independent thought. Rather than spending time debating whether the information presented in this book is true or false, work on becoming the best person you can be in your "thoughts, actions, and deeds" (p. 168) which is the path to Godliness and eternal glory. If this book doesn't answer your questions, move on to another. Rather than spend time with negative thoughts, read what reinforces your beliefs and makes you stronger in your faith.
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60 of 71 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Reading, November 26, 2007
I found this an interesting book. It is fairly quick reading and speaks about how information on both Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene have been surpressed by the church over the years and some of that information which, although cannot be proven as yet, it cannot be disproven as yet. It provides some insight on the teachings and life of Jesus and the 2 Marys, based on other material, based on interpretation of some bible passages, and filled in by Francine (Sylvia's Guide). Part of the information provided is that Jesus was married to Mary and they had children. It also speaks to the crucifiction and events preceeding and following the crucifiction. It vindicates Judas and speaks highly of Joseph of Aramethia. It speaks of Peter as a tad jealous of Jesus' attention to Magdalene. I don't think that anyone would disagree that the church's focus on the importance of men over women is highly bias toward men, even today--but especially back in the time of Jesus. That could certainly be a viable reason why the important involvement of the 2 Marys would be deminished or completely hidden. Obviously, I cannot tell you if the information provided is all truth, or even some truth. You must search within yourself for the answers. What I can say is that it sounds reasonably logical to me. It makes sense to me. I enjoyed it and I will be sharing the book with some friends. Have you ever asked yourself so many times, "Where is the rest?" "What did Jesus do in between about age 13 and 33?" "Why don't you ever hear anything about Mother Mary and Joseph?" "Was Mary Magdalene really a wxxxx?" "Why would Judas betray Jesus?--for money? That doesn't make sense." Well, this book is an attempt to plug up some of the information holes.
Now if you are a devout Catholic and do not want to hear something different than you have been told over the years, do NOT get this book. On the other hand, if you are searching for answers, and are open to other possibilities than those which the church has historically taught, you may be interested in this book.
Note: please be sure to read the 3rd and 4th post (from Jeri) on this review and my comments. Jeri makes some excellent comments in Jeri's review.
By the way, on the same subject matter of Mary Magdalene, I liked the book "St. Mary Magdalene: The Gnostic Tradition of the Holy Bride by Tau Malachi" better than Sylvia's book.
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18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Advertising for her church "Novus Spiritus", December 29, 2007
Sylvia Brown is not a good writer. Her book is rambling and often off topic (which she apologizes for). There are too many personal references and comparisons of her own experiences with that of Jesus and Mary. And, the insertion of her own church information reads as a recruitment ad for her religion in the midst of a book about the two Mary's. She even includes a list of 23 tenets of her religion in the appendix. I expected more "channeled" info from her guide, Francine, but instead it's a bunch of hypothesizing by Sylvia Brown on what she thinks based on her reading of the bible and the codices from the Nag Hammadi Library.
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