Need book recommendations

[chicken_little]

I am hoping someone around here can help me out. I'd like to start some reading about the origins of Christianity. Specifically, how the key beliefs that make up the foundation of the religion bear strong resemblance to or have obvious parallels to other older religions, civilizations, beliefs, etc. For example, I've seen numerous people mention that there are many other religions that have a savior who was crucified. I want to read about those.

A book or books written from a non-religious perspective would be ideal, since I really don't want to have to read something that is blatantly attacking any particular religion. Something of a historical analysis would be nice. I know that may sound like a bit of an oxymoron (a book about the history of a religion not written from a religious point of view), but I think it's the fairest way to learn about this stuff.

Thanks in advance if anyone can suggest anything. :)

[archangel]

here is a decent documentary

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8251447278663885234&q=the+naked+truth&total=620&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

You may think these guys are out to prove relgion wrong and are biased (I agree that they are) but it is still a good documentary just get an understanding of the similarities of these the savior stories. You can still continue your research after watching.

IMO, This video gets a few things wrong, but as far as just showing the similarity to Jesus and all the other saviors it does a good job. and it shows what they represent.

[klinker]

How about the The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins ?

[lucifershammer]

The Christ Conspiracy, The Greatest Story Ever Sold

By Acharya S.



I thoroughly reccomend it.




another good one is


The Book Your Church Doesn't Want You To Read - Tim Leedom

[mk72]

Don’t be mislead by the title – he has written a lot of books and has done amazing research on it. This article is a short version of some of his books.
http://www.taroscopes.com/astro-theology/astrotheology2.html
Very good podcasts for free:
http://www.redicecreations.com/radio/regulars/mtsarion.html
A lot of good books:
http://www.hiddenmysteries.org/freebooks/index.html
http://www.hiddenmysteries.com/cgi-bin/banmat3.cgi?entry+x=URL

I hope this helps

[skel8tor]

Hello Chicken Little

Hope you don't get overwhelmed with too many books from us, look up Tony Bushby and start with whichever one appeals to you**

I haven't read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins yet but suspect it to be definitly one to concider on your quest. (it might be on a vastly different 'page' to the history book you might be looking for though)

Remember Christianity is specifically for controlling the population, they gathered all the nearby theologies, edited out the awkward bits and said "This! Only! from now on, or else!
(Actually scratch that, thats just me, be free to decide for yourself)

**After growing up in a strick Catholic environment, I found Tony Bushby's 'The Secret in the Bible' to be a delicious-hoot!, very entertaining and a relief. If you are, however, a devoted christian you might also find this book valuable it might strengthen your faith and give some info which is usually kept from most of the congregation.

:)

[skel8tor]

This may sound silly but try letting the book come to you; go into your library or another library, walk where you feel, trust the universe, let your best book appear before you.
(And don't report if this works, thats what a left brain would do)