The Sacred Fire
The Story of Sex in Religion
by B. Z. Goldberg
Grove Press, 1962

CONDITION:
Reading copy has heavy markings/underlining, mild cover wear.

ATTRIBUTES:
Illustrated edition. Mass market paperback.

DESCRIPTION:
B. Z. Goldberg's "The Sacred Fire" is a comprehensive exploration of the historical relationship between religious faith and human sexuality. The book delves into the origins of spiritual practices, examining how eroticism and the "sacred fire" of life have influenced rituals, symbols, and beliefs across various cultures and eras. Goldberg traces these connections from ancient phallic cults in regions like Egypt and India, through the mystical traditions of the Middle Ages, and into the development of modern religious thought. He analyzes myths, architecture, and sacred texts to reveal underlying sexual motifs in established traditions, offering an accessible perspective on the evolution of moral and spiritual systems.

B. Z. Goldberg was an author who approached the culturally sensitive issue of the intersection of religion and sex with frankness and depth. His work is considered a significant contribution to the study of comparative religion and the social history of eroticism. The book also features an introduction by Dr. Charles Francis Potter, an American Unitarian minister, theologian, and author. Potter was known for his progressive ideas, including advocating for social reform, campaigning against capital punishment, and supporting birth control and women's rights. He was also a founder of the First Humanist Society of New York and a signer of the first Humanist Manifesto.

"The Sacred Fire" holds literary and historical significance as one of the few books that covers the subject of sacred sexuality for a general readership, distinguishing itself from the more academic 19th-century literature on the topic. Scholars have selected this work as culturally important, recognizing it as part of the knowledge base of civilization. For collectors, this book is interesting due to its pioneering nature in examining the sexual elements within all religions, from primitive to modern monotheistic faiths, and its use of evidence from anthropology, sociology, comparative mythology, psychology, and religious history. Its enduring relevance to the study of comparative religion and the social history of eroticism makes it a valuable addition to a collection.

FLASHBACK TO 1962 WHEN THIS BOOK WAS PUBLISHED:
When this book was published in 1962, the world teetered on the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis, while the space race intensified with John Glenn orbiting Earth and the Soviet Union launching Sputnik 9 and 10. Rachel Carson's *Silent Spring* ignited the environmental movement, Algeria gained independence from France, and the first James Bond film, *Dr. No*, premiered, marking a new era in popular culture. Meanwhile, Marilyn Monroe's untimely death shocked the world, and Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in South Africa, a pivotal moment in the anti-apartheid struggle.

Page Count: 288

Location: 01-02-01-1626