Christianity : A Fiction — The Astronomical and Astrological Origin of all Religions — Dr. J.H. Mendenhall — 1892

Published in 1892, Christianity: A Fiction—The Astronomical and Astrological Origin of All Religions is Dr. J. H. Mendenhall’s provocative argument that religious narratives preserve older astronomical and astrological symbolism.

Mendenhall interprets central Christian themes—including birth, death, resurrection, the twelve disciples, and the conflict between light and darkness—as celestial allegories connected with the sun, zodiac, seasons, and recurring cycles of nature. He extends the argument beyond Christianity, proposing that many religious traditions share a common foundation in humanity’s observation of the heavens.

The book belongs to the nineteenth-century literature of comparative religion, freethought, solar mythology, and astrotheology. Its purpose is openly critical of literal and orthodox readings of scripture.

Historical Note
This is a polemical period work and is offered as a document of nineteenth-century religious criticism and astrotheological interpretation.

Details
Author: Dr. J. H. Mendenhall
Publication year: 1892
Subjects: Astrotheology, solar mythology, astrology, comparative religion, and biblical criticism
Available formats: PDF and Physical Book