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Summary: The Bloody, Brutal Truth of Christianity's Dark Side
Review: THE DARK SIDE OF CHRISTIAN HISTORY is an eye-opening account of the violent, bloody, racist, classist, misogynistic and genocidal history of the Christian Church. Helen Ellerbe has done exceptional research on her subject and I highly recommend it for everyone, regardles of your religious affiliation. It is an historical account that is found in the records of the Church, yet many of the foul bloody crimes are denied by those who would believe revisionist history, most of those revisions provided by the Church itself. As well, it sheds light on how the Church turned Christ's message of love, compassion and honor into one of hate, intolerance and greed, utilizing fear as a way to gain political power and amass grotesque amounts of wealth drenched in rivers of blood and corruption. While there are those who do find personal spiritual salvation in the Church, many are kept from their own personal relationship with God and many more have been slaughtered or are continually denied civil and spiritual rights by the Church. Pick up THE DARK SIDE OF CHRISTIAN HISTORY today and enlighten and inform yourself, though be forewarned: the historical contents are bloody and brutal. While THE DARK SIDE OF CHRISTIAN HISTORY is exceptionally well written and structured, it is a difficult read due to the violence and offense to the human spirit that has long been the history of the Christian Church.
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Summary: A propaganda piece that ignores or distorts the evidence.
Review: Ms. Ellerbe's book should be viewed through the lens of her qualifications. She lists no degrees or other scholarly qualification beyond a library card. This becomes evident after reading her work.Several texts are clearly taken out of context, and most of the sources she uses to buttress her arguments are opinion pieces themselves. Space constraints limit me to one example: She mentions a 1493 papal decree that allegedly prescribed rough treatment for South American natives. Interesting fact when you consider Columbus's first voyage didn't return from Hispanola until 1493, and Europeans didn't even know there was a South America until the next century. If you're looking for a collection emotional polemics hostile Christianity, then this will do it. If you want serious scholarship, pass on this one. You'll save 10 bucks
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Summary: she needs to do her research
Review: I found this book interesting and decided to do some detective work, nothing held up, nothing! I now believe the book was a result of the authors imagination and not of credible research.
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Summary: Not unbiased, not pretty, worth reading
Review: Though the author of The Dark Side of Christian History makes some efforts towards being unbiased, she does not fully achieve this goal. However, as she does her research and is dealing with terribly unpleasant subjects, I think it can be understood. This is not a pretty book, but it is a coherent one. Each chapter is an essay on a different time in Christianity, how it evolved, and its affects on Western (and other) civilizations. A consistent history is shown from the early days of Roman Christiandom to current attitudes that is informative and unsettling. Quite simply, current problems and attitudes today can be traced back hundreds, or even thousands of years, and the history of the Church is not as simple as some make it sound. Quotes from various sources paint the picture reasonably well, though this book could have easily been twice its size. If read with an open, critical mind, you'll find flaws, but you WON'T be the same. It's an excellent jumping-off point to study the parts of Church history people don't want to talk about.
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Summary: Yet another source for provocative christian history
Review: It takes a really "leap of faith" to remain an orthodox christian in light of this book.
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Summary: Excellent read for those "unsure" of their religious roots.
Review: This book was what I had been waiting for and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I agreed on several points and would love to say more but I'm afraid I'd offend some people. Instead, read the book and judge for yourself. Either way, you won't be disappointed.
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Summary: A Tragedy of the Past That Still Haunts Us Today
Review: Helen Ellerbe engages the reader in a rather tragic history of the Christian religion. It is truly sad what man has done with the simple and kind message of Jesus. Unfortunately, we are witnessing similar travesties in our own time as right-wing Christians oppose scientific and moral progress and set their hatred against homosexuals, women, and humanists. If ever there were a book to be instructive, this would be it. For history is a proper and industrious teacher that those of perpetual error should tend to.
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Summary: It's time to live the spirituality of adults
Review: Helen Ellerbe's book is an excellent depiction of the manifold reasons why thinking adults cannot blindly follow the flock of organized religion. I was particularly shocked to learn the details of the origin of the Nicene Creed, a prayer I have memorized at a sub-cortical level as a good Episcopalian; it was used as an oath and excuse to persecute those who would not say it.
For centuries untold, the human race has looked to religion for "good parents" be it father or mother... it is time for us to live the spirituality of adults and admit where the roots of our beliefs lie. And then, with that knowledge, rebuild a spirituality that is truly our own
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Summary: Check out http://www.warmcove.com/morningstar
Review: The publisher has put up a website that includes
the full text of Chapter Eight: The Witch Hunts,
as well as the book's Introduction, the Table of Contents,
and a way to email Helen.
Check it out at http://www.warmcove.com/morningstar
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Summary: Back Cover Text:
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"This is simply a book that everyone must sit down and read. At a time when the so called 'religious right' asserts that Christian values will save society from its rampant sins, the ordinary citizen should know exactly how the Christian Church has attempted to 'save' societies in the past. It is a grim lesson, but one that it is imperative to absorb. Doing so could save lives." -- Alice Walker
"In a lucid, objective, and accessible style, Helen Ellerbe presents some of the long-hidden shameful secrets of organized patriarchal religion. Her book is a fascinating read, essential for a complete picture of the cultural evolution of Western civilization." -- Barbara G. Walker
"If embracing the shadow is essential to healing the spirit, confronting The Dark Side of Christian History may help us to purge Christianity of its demonic elements and allow us to hear the good news once again." -- Sam Keen
By denying evil we do harm. By denying darkness we obscure the light. Over a period of almost two millennia, the Christian Church has oppressed and brutalized millions of individuals in an attempt to control and contain spirituality. The Dark Side of Christian History reveals in painstaking detail the tragedies, sorrows and injustices inflicted upon humanity by the Church. This expose is a compelling and passionate cry for human dignity and spiritual freedom.
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