1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910812755203321

Autore

Mack Burton L.

Titolo

The rise and fall of the Christian myth : restoring our democratic ideals / / Burton L. Mack

Pubbl/distr/stampa

New Haven ; ; London : , : Yale University Press, , [2017]

©2017

ISBN

0-300-22789-2

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (320 p.)

Disciplina

277.3083

Soggetti

Christianity - Influence

Christianity and culture

Christianity - Philosophy

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Frontmatter -- CONTENTS -- Introduction -- 1. The Big Picture -- 2. Theory -- 3. The Christian Myth -- 4. Social Interests -- 5. Social Issues -- 6. Cultural Analytics -- 7. Three Mono Myths -- 8. Imagining the Future -- Conclusion: A Palliative Postscript -- Authors and Works Cited -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

A preeminent scholar explores the evolution of the Christian worldview and argues that it no longer offers a satisfactory vision for our democratic, multicultural society This book is the culmination of a lifelong scholarly inquiry into Christian history, religion as a social institution, and the role of myth in the history of religions. Mack shows that religions are essentially mythological and that Christianity in particular has been an ever-changing mythological engine of social formation, from Roman times to its distinct American expression in our time.   The author traces the cultural influence of the Christian myth that has persisted for sixteen hundred years but now should be much less consequential in our social and cultural life, since it runs counter to our democratic ideals. We stand at a critical impasse: badly splintered by conflicting groups pursuing their own social interests, a binding common myth needs to be established by renewing a truly cohesive national and international story rooted in our democratic and



egalitarian origins, committed to freedom, equality, and vital human values.