2024-11-13 03:32:00
Well no, listen: the English Catherine Nixey He does not show off his horns or brandish a trident. If he has them, this journalist and historian specializing in heresies hid them well before we entered the room. Although she admits that she lacks the fingers to count how many times she has been accused of harboring a singular hatred towards Christianity. “When a hermit friend of my father’s heard I was about to publish this book, he insisted he had to stop me and get me back on track,” he jokes. But this, he whispers, was an impossible task. Not only because she declares herself an atheist – which she is – but because she defines herself as “a journalist who limits herself to telling little-known stories” with the aim of “surprising the general public”.
Those included in that new essay, ”Heresy” (Taurus), meet both requirements. Why yes, it is amazing that he was called a prophet Apolonio de Tiana whose life was similar to that of Jesus, as well as some apocryphal gospels which recall the strange test of virginity to which the Virgin Mary was subjected. “They wrote that a midwife put a finger in her vagina and that she pulled out her charred hand!” His, he says, is a work that crosses all these heretical passages; a way to make the general public understand that ”there were many Jesus Christ and many primitive Christians”, but that only one was the one who stood above the others after two thousand years of councils and dilemmas.
–You have explained on many occasions that your mother was a nun and your father a monk. How did you meet and how did you decide to have a daughter?
It’s not as rare as it seems! [Ríe] Some people have written to me to tell me they are in a similar situation. My mother had already renounced the Church when she met my father; At the time I was teaching in a Catholic school. There she met my father, who soon after also abandoned her.
–Is this book your particular ‘revenge’ against Christianity?
Obviously not. [Ríe] I think the Catholic Church has done extraordinary things, but I don’t write about it because there are already many books that talk about it. I tell the unknown story. Furthermore, there was a time when it was difficult to do things without relying on the Church.
–What ‘surprising things’ could you list?
Many. I love the art of churches: the songs, the music, the vespers… Also the idea that we should try to improve our behavior. At its best, Christianity has caused people to do good things. But I think people who read my book have this in mind. On the other hand, it also has negative things.
–In his work he states that there were many prophets in the 1st century AD and the life of one of them was very similar to that of Jesus Christ.
The parallelism with the Greek Apollonius of Tyana is surprising. Both were born at the turn of the millennium and were probably contemporaries. He said his father was a god and his mother a mortal. And also that, when she became pregnant with him, a divine being appeared to her and told her that the child would be a god made of flesh and blood.
–He includes many of these ‘prophets’ in his work. Each one more bizarre.
There were many characters with these characteristics. Classical texts denigrated them and said they were clones: they all had long hair, wore simple clothes and went barefoot or with sandals. Some wear wigs or extensions to look like a divine figure! The 2nd century Greek philosopher Celsus claimed that
–Did they also say this about the first Christians?
Yes, because they wanted to put an end to Christianity. They said the Gospel was sloppily written. But we are talking about the religion of some fishermen, and so they wrote. They also did not believe in Mary’s virginity, they were convinced that she had become pregnant by a Roman legionary.
–The virginity test episode is really crazy…
[Ríe] It is recorded in some apocryphal gospels. A woman arrives and, skeptical that Mary is a virgin, inserts a finger into her vagina. After that, his hand is charred.
– He states that there are several apocryphal gospels that have tiptoed through history.
It seems that the four gospels were first, but no. They were the ones accepted by the Orthodox Church. The rest have disappeared, although their translations remain. Many of them are integrated into current beliefs. An example is the Christmas image of the Bethlehem Portal with the ox and the mule. This is not found in the New Testament. And the same thing happens with the story that says that Mary arrived in Bethlehem on a donkey.
–Collect one of these texts that states that Jesus Christ sold his brother into slavery…
It’s surprising, of course. It’s Tommaso’s. Even though he claims to be her twin brother in the story, we’ll skip that part because he may be referring to the fact that they looked alike physically. This text explains that Jesus ordered Thomas to go to India to preach his word, but he refused. Jesus then saw an Indian
It’s towards the end of the book. It happened in Persia. Marco Polo wrote that he found a branch of Christianity that worshiped fire. My conclusion is that we should be talking about early Christianity, not a specific one, and that this has evolved. There were the Ophites, who worshiped the serpent in the Garden of Eden, or parishioners who married but decided to remain celibate and adopt children.
It must be seen as something that has evolved, not as a final message set in stone. It all started with Constantine, he unified religion. Who knows what would have happened if he had fallen under the influence of another group. The world may have been very different. What would have happened if Cleopatra had had a nose a few centimeters longer? Perhaps Caesar and Mark Antony would not have fallen in love with her and would have returned to Rome…
[Ríe] Maybe, maybe. But I like heresies. It will be a question of my nature.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Catherine Nixey, Author of “Heresy”
Editor: Welcome, Catherine! It’s a pleasure to have you here. Your book “Heresy” has certainly stirred up some intriguing conversations. To start, could you tell us what inspired you to dive into the often-overlooked stories of early Christianity?
Catherine Nixey: Thank you for having me! The inspiration really comes from my desire to uncover the lesser-known narratives that challenge the mainstream understanding of Christianity. There are so many fascinating figures and events that have been overshadowed by what we accept as established history. I wanted to bring these hidden stories to light and show that the history of early Christianity is much more complex than we’ve been led to believe.
Editor: You mention in your book that there were “many Jesus Christ and many primitive Christians.” What do you mean by that, and how does it shape our understanding of Christianity today?
Catherine Nixey: Great question! What I mean is that there were numerous prophetic figures and various interpretations of Christian teachings in the first century. For instance, Apollonius of Tyana was a contemporary of Jesus, and his life bore striking similarities to the narratives we associate with Christ. By examining these parallels, we can see how the development of early Christian thought was influenced by multiple leaders and their teachings, leading to the singular figure of Jesus that we recognize today. This opens up a dialogue about the nature of belief and the evolution of religious narratives.
Editor: In your research, you discuss some very unconventional and bizarre stories, like the apocryphal accounts of the Virgin Mary. Can you share more about this and its significance?
Catherine Nixey: Absolutely! One particularly peculiar story involves a midwife inserting a finger to test Mary’s virginity and pulling out a charred hand—it’s certainly shocking! This episode, recorded in apocryphal gospels, illustrates how certain narratives were challenged and even mocked during the early days of Christianity. It’s significant because it shows us the extent to which the beliefs surrounding Mary and the conception of Jesus were contested. There’s a rich tapestry of stories that didn’t make it into the New Testament, and exploring these can deepen our understanding of early Christian beliefs and controversies.
Editor: Your background is intriguing, especially given your family history with the Church. Has that shaped your perspective, and do you find it impacts the reception of your work?
Catherine Nixey: In many ways, yes. Growing up with a nun for a mother and a monk for a father certainly gives one a unique lens through which to view religious narratives! I often joke that this background means I have an insider knowledge of certain traditions. However, it also means I have been accused of anti-Christian sentiments, which isn’t the case. I aim to present a balanced view and focus on stories that are often omitted from the traditional narrative. My goal is to highlight the complexity and richness of history rather than to throw shade on Christianity.
Editor: You do have a balanced approach, outlining both the positive aspects of the Church and the negative implications of its history. Can you elaborate on why it’s essential to recognize both sides?
Catherine Nixey: Recognizing both sides is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of history. The Catholic Church has indeed contributed positively, influencing art, music, and inspiring ethical behavior in communities. Yet, its darker chapters, including censorship of dissenting voices and suppression of alternative beliefs, must also be acknowledged. Ignoring these aspects gives an incomplete picture. This duality encourages readers to question, analyze, and engage more deeply with the subject matter, rather than passively accepting a singular narrative.
Editor: what do you hope readers take away from “Heresy”?
Catherine Nixey: I hope readers walk away with a sense of curiosity about the stories that shape our beliefs. I want them to feel empowered to question established narratives and to appreciate the diversity of thought that existed within early Christianity. My ultimate goal is to surprise and engage the general public, encouraging them to explore these hidden histories for themselves.
Editor: Thank you, Catherine. Your insights and unique perspective are invaluable, and we look forward to seeing how “Heresy” inspires further discussion and exploration in this field.
Catherine Nixey: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing these ideas with you.