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Summary: Taught me to question what I had always been told was true..
Review: ...and challenged me to think for myself, with the FACTS. This book changed my life, it's too bad I didn't read it until I was in my late 20's. I think it should be required reading for every high-school girl.
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Summary: So that's why today's world is so screwed up!
Review: A Ph.D. thesis dressed up in New Age clothing. No narrative thread or spellbinding point of view to hold the book together, written by a former sculptor and art history teacher.
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Summary: Entertaining History of time before our male religions
Review: An entertaining history of the ancient goddess religions and how they were displaced by what we see today.
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Summary: Journey to Reality--The Importance of Knowing History
Review: As a Christian woman I felt a void in my soul that couldn't be answered through the Biblical scriptures. Why were the teachings so vile and violent towards women? Why was society demeaning and oppressive to the mothers of humanity? How did our culture develope into such a divided state that men were dominate and women submissive? Why weren't women revered for their life giving nature and soul healing abilities? The first book I read that brought some understanding was G. James Stewart's Immorality of Christianity. This opened the door for me to challenge social and theological beliefs that have devalued women (and men)as well as Western civilization as a whole. I read Jean M. Auel's Earth Children series (Clan of the Cave Bear)and was given a glimpse of pre-historical beliefs and customs. This caused me to ask the question: When did it all change? When did the Mother Goddess get replaced by the Judeo-Christian God? This book by Merlin Stone lept off the shelf with her all encompassing title. From page one to the end she develops a sound scientific histography of the age before God worship and the powerful infulence of women in a culture which honored fertility, prosperity, and peace for thousands of years. My identity as a women has found peace and comfort in the knowing that womanhood was once revered--and can be again, as the source of life. My beliefs have changed dramatically and never will I see the patriarchial Judeo-Christian dogma as anything but usurpation of woman as divine...
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Summary: very important
Review: As a woman who prefers Christianity as opposed to Neo-Paganism I must say this is a very important book. Too many seem to take every single syllable of the Bible literally despite the fact that it is loaded w/ allegory(such as the visions in Revelation)and metaphors. Therefore to many this book is like swallowing poision. The possibility of a non-patriarchal family and social system? Ouchy.
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Summary: Tunnel-Vision at its worst.....
Review: Before I was even done reading the first chapter I knew that
this was going to be a "man-bashing" book. First, I would
like to state for the record that I am a Pagan and view the
gods as both male and female and hold the Goddess as
first among equals. That said, this book does nothing
for me. Merlin Stone kept getting on the case of "other"
writers being too biased....HELLO! This is one of the most
biased books I ever read. If the distant past was really like
this for men, can you blame them for invastion? This book
says men were these weak, castrated, inferior shadows
who had no rights and were treated like second-class
citizens- they had no right to worship, they were godless,
misfit step-children.....the really sad part is that some
women think this is as it should be. Two wrongs do not
make a right! We must see the Divinity as both Male and
Female - through balance we will grow and learn from
each other.Peace
Obiwan
Rating:
Summary: Daring to take an Honest Look
Review: Fascinating look at the religious history of the human species. Stone dares to research thoroughly and to examine that evidence honestly, knowing that the truth is nothing to be feared. Stone presents the evidence, and suggests, allowing the reader to use intelligence and draw conclusions for her/himself. If some of the middle chapters seem slow going, it is only the calm before the storm as the evidence gathers to its conclusions. Stone is NOT alone in these researches or in her conclusions; respected scholars such as Joseph Campbell and M. Gimbutas and a host of others have also tread this path. Hers is simply a superbly researched presentation which is respectful of the reader. It is very difficult for many, even scholars, to have the courage and honesty to examine deeply-held prejudices and preconceptions; those who are willing to do so will find this book thrilling.
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Summary: Eyes Opened
Review: First of all, to the reviewer "Jeremiah" in Boston, MA, if you had read the book you would know that Merlin Stone IS in fact a woman. Maybe you shouldn't review books that you haven't read!
As a girl growing up in a male controlled, fundamentalist Christian home, I always felt as though it didn't make sense that if God loved us all equally that he would tell half of the population to submit to the other half. So many things I was taught didn't "ring" true for me. Now it all makes sense.
This book reads a lot like a dissertation, but keep reading because the conclusions she makes are fascinating and eye opening. In the opening of the book she quotes a Hebrew prayer in which men thank God for not making them a woman. Now I can thank God for making me a woman! :D
I will never look at the Bible, Judaism, Christianity, or Islam in quite the same way.
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Summary: A Rib is not a Woman, It's Just a Bone!
Review: For those who have ears to hear and eyes to see and a mind that is open, imagine the world through the feminine soul, of woman born we are; not man! When one begins to read the bible, it becomes obvious rather quickly, the Agenda of the male hagiographer: The knowledge of the fruit of the tree[of the Goddess] of Good and Evil is Overpowering. This knowledge is the power of sexuality and abundance. We cannot have the women running rampant with their desires. We must control sexuality by controlling women and their children. We have been living with these belief systems for over 2000 years! Throughout the old testament, the authors routinely condemn and curse women. There must be a reason for this, unless you are purely a misogynistic fundatmentalist and believe in the rib myth. The reason the authors in the bible write about women in such a derogatory manner is their attempt to eliminate completely any allegiance to the so-called fertility 'cults'i.e. Goddess Worship. Many women even after the time of Christ were still practicing some of the old ways of Diana. The bible authors wanted to retell the story of creation so as to firmly implant in the minds of the people that women were to be restricted and controlled or else they would corrupt nations! Why this great repression of the feminine? Just as any conqueror rewrites his/herstory, the bible authors[men]needed to insure their victory. This is political propaganda at its best. When you tell someone long and loud enough that they are unworthy of ruling,they are unclean, and they are only here to serve their masters[MEN]over time they will believe it. The Goddess embraces all sexuality and abundance. Many women had children as part of offering their sexuality to the Goddess in the temple[Esphesus]. Paternity was not an issue. All children were nurtured and reared by the community. The children took their mother's name. And these same children succeeded their mother to the throne. It is important to note that males were not oppressed or dominated by females in the Goddess Rites. Only under partriarchy, does the notion of domination take place"rule of the fathers." The overthrow of the Goddess Religion was an economic and political victory for the followers of Yahweh. It was important to have the father rule the family, the city, and the nation. And paternity was vital to maintaining that power. If you dare to explore these truths you will need to let go of what you thought was truth! Without courage, we cannot grow. Without growth, we die. Be a Warrior and conquer ignorance and oppression. Do not hide your light under a bushel,go tell it on a mountain and everywhere. Eat of the fruit!
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Summary: Ladies & Gentlemen, Here are the facts on the ground!
Review: For years I have read the Bible and wondered, "Yes, but what does the archeological evidence say? What did the neighbors say in their writings? Where's the corroborating evidence? After all, these are real places and real people. They had to leave real traces behind." Well, it turns out they did. And what those traces say doesn't not agree with what fundamentalists teach about the Bible, but it does agree with common sense and basic human psychology. A first-rate book, and a gift to our understanding of the Old Testament.
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