The Men Who Invented Religion - Revised Edition - Softcover

Jeffrey M Pike

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1785451138 ISBN 13: 9781785451133

Publisher: Brown Dog Books, 2023

Synopsis

What is religion? Mark Twain said, "Religion consists in a set of things which the average man thinks he believes and wishes he was certain of." St. Augustine evaded giving an answer at all. Perhaps for the true believer it is the relation of human beings to God or the gods or to something they feel is sacred but which provides a context for life. From the Pharaoh Akhenaten in c.1320BC, religion has been a way to control the masses by making them believe in a future reward. Napoleon realised that all religions are man-made and have the benefit of keeping the poor from murdering the rich. Hitler and Stalin both used the Church cynically for their own personal benefit, sure that science would eventually destroy all religions. This book looks at the powerful men without any religious conviction themselves who had the greatest influence. It includes such figures as Alexander the Great and Cyrus of Persia, both Messiahs to the Jews, Constantine, the father of Christianity who remained a pagan until his deathbed and Mohammed who forgot his Jewish connexions and beliefs.

About this title

About the Author

Jeffrey Pike has been a humanist from a very early age, which enables him to take a rational view of religious beliefs. He is a chemist who started off in the Glaxo Research Department and this has led to an active and varied international business career. He is now a consultant to the chemical and biological industries. His last book, Here Lies the Bible, was an unexpected success.

Edition details

• Publisher: Brown Dog Books
• Publication date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1785451138
• ISBN 13: 9781785451133
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 172