The Dark Side of Christian History by Helen Ellerbe

The Dark Side of Christian History
by Helen Ellerbe

Paperback - 221 pages (July 1995)
Morningstar Books; ISBN: 0964487349

Back Cover Text:

"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

Reviews:

REQUIRED READING FOR EVERYONE

October 28, 1998

Reviewer: A reader from WITCH WISDOM

The Dark Side of Christian History is one of those rare finds. This book was written in a concise fashion and details the horrors, both spiritually and physically, that the early Church visited upon members of society. I found Helen Ellerbe's research to be thorough, citing many historical documents and publications. Contrary to a statement made by another reader, this book is highly accurate and credible.

Many individuals have no knowledge of the atrocities committed by the church. Without understanding these events, we can never progress beyond them. The era of the Inquisition and the Witch Hunt is over, but religious intolerance is still with us, rearing its ugly head. With the help of provocative books such as this, I believe we can move past religious intolerance - once and for all.

On a final note, I am Wiccan, and although I believe that present-day Christians should not be held responsible for the Church's brutality of the past, I would like to see our Christian brothers, sisters and leaders acknowledge, accept and learn from these events.

Not unbiased, not pretty, worth reading

June 28, 1998

Reviewer: A reader from Columbus, Ohio

Though the author of The Dark Side of Christian History makes some efforts towards being unbiased, she does not fully achieve this goal. However, as she does her research and is dealing with terribly unpleasant subjects, I think it can be understood.

This is not a pretty book, but it is a coherent one. Each chapter is an essay on a different time in Christianity, how it evolved, and its affects on Western (and other) civilizations. A consistent history is shown from the early days of Roman Christiandom to current attitudes that is informative and unsettling. Quite simply, current problems and attitudes today can be traced back hundreds, or even thousands of years, and the history of the Church is not as simple as some make it sound.

Quotes from various sources paint the picture reasonably well, though this book could have easily been twice its size. If read with an open, critical mind, you'll find flaws, but you WON'T be the same. It's an excellent jumping-off point to study the parts of Church history people don't want to talk about.

Ellerbe has the authority of Christ?

March 17, 2000

Reviewer: A reader

We are informed as follows:

'Helen Ellerbe's book is not pro-feminist. If you see it as such it is because you have been looking through the patriarchial eyes of society. If you see it as "new age" it is because you are hopelessly lost and afraid in the decaying past. If you dismiss this book it is possible you are in some way benefiting from the oppression of people and nature and you are unwilling to let go. Evil will continue as long as people like you continue to ignore this book's message and remain divurgent from the truth.'

In other words: those who are not with Helen Ellerbe are against her.

There is only one Person in all of history Who has the authority to make an announcement like that. It is not Ellerbe's critics who are 'divurgent' from the Truth.

Find out if you've been brainwashed too; know the truth!

March 10, 2000

Reviewer: Heather from New York City, New York

This book isn't a tirade against Christianity. Helen Ellerbe explains she wrote the book to expose atrocities commited in the name of the Christian Church. She fully acknowledges that there have been many Christian people who have been a benefit to humanity and that her book was in no way intended to blacken their memory. If you find the book's message painful it is because you have been brainwashed by the church and society. If you are someone who seeks the truth and is willing to accept it, even though it may go against what you previously held dear, then you will revise your idea about the role Christianity has played in history. You will know that Christianity has been used as a tool to keep people docile and obedient in the face of tyrannical oppression. You will realize that Christianity has enslaved people in the most insidious way, by making them believe it was for their own good. It has discourged individuality and encouraged people to ostracize those who have dared to be different. Helen Ellerbe proves that the church has disempowered people and made them afraid and helpless so they can be easily led. Perhaps most dangerous of all it has taught that it is evil question things. That to question goes against God. People have become so gulit ridden their shame has made them mute. Christ's name has been used to wield power and make money off of people's suffering. Christ and Christianity are in no way related. Christ would never have allowed any violence or cruelty in his name. Helen Ellerbe's book is not pro-feminist. If you see it as such it is because you have been looking through the patriarchial eyes of society. If you see it as "new age" it is because you are hopelessly lost and afraid in the decaying past. If you dismiss this book it is possible you are in some way benefiting from the oppression of people and nature and you are unwilling to let go. Evil will continue as long as people like you continue to ignore this book's message and remain divurgent from the truth.

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Find out if you've been brainwashed too; know the truth!	March 10, 2000
Reviewer: Heather from New York City, New York
This book isn't a tirade against Christianity. Helen Ellerbe explains she wrote the book to expose atrocities commited in the name of the Christian Church. She fully acknowledges that there have been many Christian people who have been a benefit to humanity and that her book was in no way intended to blacken their memory. If you find the book's message painful it is because you have been brainwashed by the church and society. If you are someone who seeks the truth and is willing to accept it, even though it may go against what you previously held dear, then you will revise your idea about the role Christianity has played in history. You will know that Christianity has been used as a tool to keep people docile and obedient in the face of tyrannical oppression. You will realize that Christianity has enslaved people in the most insidious way, by making them believe it was for their own good. It has discourged individuality and encouraged people to ostracize those who have dared to be different. Helen Ellerbe proves that the church has disempowered people and made them afraid and helpless so they can be easily led. Perhaps most dangerous of all it has taught that it is evil question things. That to question goes against God. People have become so gulit ridden their shame has made them mute. Christ's name has been used to wield power and make money off of people's suffering. Christ and Christianity are in no way related. Christ would never have allowed any violence or cruelty in his name. Helen Ellerbe's book is not pro-feminist. If you see it as such it is because you have been looking through the patriarchial eyes of society. If you see it as "new age" it is because you are hopelessly lost and afraid in the decaying past. If you dismiss this book it is possible you are in some way benefiting from the oppression of people and nature and you are unwilling to let go. Evil will continue as long as people like you continue to ignore this book's message and remain divurgent from the truth.