Miracles and Idolatry

I have just finished reading the book “Miracles and Idolatry” by Voltaire.

I am genuinely impressed that someone can place so much knowledge about religion, history, philosophy, and the human condition on so many different subjects, ranging from ‘Apocalypse’ to ‘Martyrs’ and ‘Cannibals’ to ‘Luxury’, into such a short book.

His summation of the various important religious councils from Nicaea to Trent is funny and thought-provoking given that some councils overturned decisions made by previous councils relating to the true nature of Jesus.

The chapter on Apocalypse (Book of Revelations) gives an indication of how the authorship of this book was doubted and shows that the book wasn’t included in some of the earliest Bibles.

This is a book for people who enjoy an intelligent author lampooning believers who believe for the sake of belief rather questioning those beliefs and the assumptions held in those beliefs.