Biography of the Gods

by A. Eustace Haydon

The gods are on this side of the mystery that enshrouds the universe. Like man, they are earthborn. The roots of their lives are in the rich soil of human hopes and hungerings. If man has been perfect in joy and mastery the familiar folk gods of history would never have been. They were born and grew to grandeur because of man's desperate need. Through the ages they have walked with him, beloved companions of the way, powerful helpers in the age-long quest for knowledge, beauty and the joy of living.

The gods move across the stage of history in forms innumerable; one note of pathos dominates the drama, man's longing for support, security, companionship and help from the environing universe. The biography of every god is an epic into which are written the dreams and sorrows, tragedies and achievements of some human group. The names and characters of the gods are numberless but from the beginning even until now, faith in God is the daring confidence of man that the universe in its deepest meaning does allow and give support to our human hopes and ideals. The history of the gods is the fascinating story of human adventures in co-operation with what seemed helpful and trustworthy amid the dearth and danger of the changing centuries.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1941

About the author

Albert Eustace Haydon, Ph.D. (University of Chicago, 1918; M.A., University of Saskatchewan, 1912; B.A., B.Th., B.D., and M.A., McMaster University), was a historian of religion and influential leader of the humanist movement, one of signers of the original Humanist Manifesto of 1933 and the 1956 Humanist of the Year, an award given by The American Humanist Association. Haydon was also served as minister at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wisconsin, and Professor Emeritus and head of the Department of Comparative Religion at the University of Chicago.

Reviews

[Steve Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was 21 and I still refer back to it now and again. The author was a Professor of History of Religions and was a Christian minister, but approaches his subject with a detachment that could be mistaken for atheism!

The book chronicles the histories of the great world religions, from Judaism to Christianity, from Hinduism to Buddhism and from Zoroastrianism to the Muslim faith.

The author describes the origins of each religion (generally pagan roots), how they developed, their creeds and key beliefs, and in some cases how they came to pass into oblivion.

Totally readable in style, and unfailingly interesting to anyone with an open mind of whatever faith or of no faith.