The Dark Side of Christian History by Helen Ellerbe
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. This expose is a compelling and passionate cry for human dignity and spiritual freedom. Meticulously researched and courageously written, "The Dark Side of Christian History" by Helen Ellerbe examines the Church's devastating impact upon human freedom, dignity and spirituality. Written for the lay reader, this controversial book is especially relevant today as the religious right is attempting to assert greater influence in American politics and society.
The Dark Side of Christian History presents a compelling argument that the Church's desire to control and contain spiritually motivated its persecution of heretics, its burning of libraries, the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the witch-hunts. This dark Christianity has left a legacy, a world view, which permeates every aspect of Western society. It is a legacy which fosters sexism, racism, the intolerance of difference and the desecration of the natural environment. Helen Ellerbe is a researcher, writer, and public speaker living in the San Francisco bay area.
on the back of the book "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
"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
"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 |
