The Essence of Christianity
Translated from the second German edition
The Essence of Christianity, published in German in 1841 and translated in 1854 by Marian Evans, who later wrote novels as George Eliot, is Ludwig Feuerbach's argument that religion is humanity's own nature projected onto an imaginary heaven. God, he says, is the sum of human qualities, love, wisdom, justice, treated as a separate being; the doctrines of the incarnation, the Trinity, prayer, miracle and immortality all express human needs and wishes in disguise. The first part sets out this true or anthropological essence of religion, and the second attacks the false, theological essence that turns the projection into dogma. The book shaped the young Marx and Engels and remains the classic statement of the humanist critique of religion. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about The Essence of Christianity
The Essence of Christianity by Ludwig Feuerbach can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Essence of Christianity online?
Yes. The Essence of Christianity opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
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The first chapter of The Essence of Christianity is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Essence of Christianity in the public domain?
Yes. The Essence of Christianity by Ludwig Feuerbach is a public-domain work, here in the translation by George Eliot. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Essence of Christianity?
About 10 h 04 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Essence of Christianity?
The Essence of Christianity by Ludwig Feuerbach is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
