The God Idea Of The Ancients PDF Download

"Mrs. Gamble has brought together a great amount of material, drawn chiefly from Furlong's 'Rivers of Life,' Faber's 'Pagan Idolatry,' Inman's 'Ancient Faiths,' 'Isis Unveiled,' etc. For those acquainted with these works, little comment is needed; to others it may be stated that the work before us deals largely with the worship of trees, fire, water, and the phallus. The author's views regarding the 'Evolution of Woman' are fundamental to this work. Just as Mrs. Gamble believes that woman in primitive times was socially and intellectually man's superior, so she also believes that in early religion the female idea in deity was supreme. It was only when, in his selfish might, man encroached socially upon woman's domain, that the old and beautiful religion of adoration of the universal gave way." -The Dial "A valuable and exceptionally interesting book....Glorification of woman is the keynote of this new book. Never has woman been set on a loftier pedestal than she is set here, and never have more convincing proofs of her inherent nobility and title to rulership been brought forward than in this book. The prime object of it is to show how potent woman was in primeval times and how her present degenerate state is the result of male aggressiveness....In one sense this is a controversial book, and hence is likely to arouse considerable discussion." -Literary News "Mrs. Gamble's purpose has been not only to furnish a brief outline of religious growth, but to show the effect which each of the two forces, female and male, has had upon the development of our present God idea" -The Nation "Will certainly prove interesting to the student of ancient religions." -The New Cycle "The book is really a very interesting one, written in the main, very clearly and dispassionately and with a citation of authorities that shows wide reading and a good grasp upon the central purpose of the author's thesis. Whatever one may think of the conclusions, any thoughtful person may read the chapters with curiosity and profit."-Bookman Contents PREFACE. THE GOD-IDEA OF THE ANCIENTS. INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER I. SEX THE FOUNDATION OF THE GOD-IDEA CHAPTER II. TREE, PLANT, AND FRUIT WORSHIP CHAPTER III. SUN-WORSHIP--FEMALE AND MALE ENERGIES IN THE SUN CHAPTER IV. THE DUAL GOD OF THE ANCIENTS A TRINITY ALSO CHAPTER V. SEPARATION OF THE FEMALE AND HALE ELEMENTS IN THE DEITY CHAPTER VI. CIVILIZATION OF AN ANCIENT RACE CHAPTER VII. CONCEALMENT OF THE EARLY DOCTRINES CHAPTER VIII. THE ORIGINAL GOD-IDEA OF THE ISRAELITES CHAPTER IX. THE PHOENICIAN AND HEBREW GOD SET OR SETH CHAPTER X. ANCIENT SPECULATIONS CONCERNING CREATION CHAPTER XI. FIRE AND PHALLIC WORSHIP CHAPTER XII. AN ATTEMPT TO PURIFY THE SENSUALIZED FAITHS CHAPTER XIII. CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM CHAPTER XIV. CHRISTIANITY A CONTINUATION OF PAGANISM--(Continued) CHAPTER XV. CHRISTIANITY IN IRELAND CHAPTER XVI. STONES OR COLUMNS AS THE DEITY CHAPTER XVII. SACRIFICES CHAPTER XVIII. THE CROSS AND A DYING SAVIOR