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'''''The Two Babylons''''', subtitled ''The Papal Worship Proved to Be the Worship of Nimrod and His Wife'', is a famous book written by [[Presbyterianism|Scottish Presbyterian]] minister [[Alexander Hislop]], first published in 1853 as a pamphlet and greatly expanded in 1858. The author claims that the [[Catholic Church]], with its [[Pope]]s and [[Sacrament]]s was founded by the Roman Emperor [[Constantine]] in A.D. 325 as a blend of [[paganism]] and [[Christianity]]. The book became widely circulated as a reliable refutation of the Catholic religion. Hislop presented Catholicism as the [[Whore of Babylon]], and this argument has been taken up by mostly ultra-conservative [[Evangelical Christians|Evangelical Protestants]] such as the [[Reformed Churches]], [[Baptist]]s, the [[Church of Christ]], and the [[King James Only|King James Only movement]]. In the 20th century it has been promoted mainly by [[Fundamentalism|Christian Fundamentalists]], and has been a standard source for children's and adult [[Sunday School]] education, and its arguments have been widely promulgated in publications, religious dictionaries and encyclopedias, and most recently on a multitude of popular [[internet]] sites. It has influenced countless multitudes of Christians and non-Christians, and has been a source (but not the only source) of [[Polemic|polemical]] invective against Catholics, particularly against those involved in [[government]] and [[politics]]. For more than a century (1853-1955) it was among the top best-sellers in England and America, and is still being published.

'''''The Two Babylons''''', subtitled ''The Papal Worship Proved to Be the Worship of Nimrod and His Wife'', is a famous book written by [[Presbyterianism|Scottish Presbyterian]] minister [[Alexander Hislop]], first published in 1853 as a pamphlet and greatly expanded in 1858. The author claims that the [[Catholic Church]], with its [[Pope]]s and [[Sacrament]]s was founded by the Roman Emperor [[Constantine]] in A.D. 325 as a blend of [[paganism]] and [[Christianity]]. The book became widely circulated as being a reliable refutation of the Catholic religion. Hislop presented Catholicism as the [[Whore of Babylon]], and this argument has been taken up by mostly ultra-conservative [[Evangelical Christians|Evangelical Protestants]] such as the [[Reformed Churches]], [[Baptist]]s, the [[Church of Christ]], and the [[King James Only|King James Only movement]]. In the 20th century it has been promoted mainly by [[Fundamentalism|Christian Fundamentalists]], and has been a standard source for children's and adult [[Sunday School]] education, and its arguments have been widely promulgated in publications, religious dictionaries and encyclopedias, and [[comic book]]s, and most recently on a multitude of popular [[internet]] sites. It has influenced countless multitudes of Christians and non-Christians, and has been a source (but not the only source) of [[Polemic|polemical]] invective against Catholics, particularly against those involved in [[government]] and [[politics]]. For more than a century (1853-1955) it was among the top best-sellers in England and America, and is still being published.

Historians who have carefully researched the historical claims made in this book, and the source materials that author Hislop relied on, have determined that he is unreliable as an historian. Almost all of his "facts" are shown to be false, and his reasoning from superficial similarities of appearances and ritual actions is demonstrated to be completely unsound and without merit as "proofs" of pagan origins. This has demolished his credibility. Anthropologists who were contemporaries of the authors of his source materials have also shown that even among historians in the 19th century most of his sources had no reliable historical credibility as researchers.

Historians who have carefully researched the historical claims made in this book, and the source materials that author Hislop relied on, have determined that he is unreliable as an historian. Almost all of his "facts" are shown to be false, and his reasoning from superficial similarities of appearances and ritual actions is demonstrated to be completely unsound and without merit as "proofs" of pagan origins. This has demolished his credibility. Anthropologists who were contemporaries of the authors of his source materials have also shown that even among historians in the 19th century most of his sources had no reliable historical credibility as researchers.

Impartial and objective evaluations by non-Catholic reviewers of this book have also determined that it is simply a [[Slander|calumny]] against the Catholic religion. This has refuted his Christian integrity as a writer. This does not prove that Alexander Hislop was a liar, but only that his book is full of [[falsehood]]s. There is a difference. He may indeed have been sincere in his belief. His [[Research|methology]] was entirely wrong. His conclusions are [[error]]s.

Impartial and objective evaluations by non-Catholic reviewers of this book have also determined that it is simply a [[Slander|calumny]] against the Catholic religion. This has refuted his Christian integrity as a writer. This does not prove that Alexander Hislop was a [[Lie|liar]], but only that his book is full of [[falsehood]]s. There is a difference. He may indeed have been sincere in his belief. His [[Research|methology]] was entirely wrong. His conclusions are [[error]]s.

Individual Christians who have enthusiastically read ''The Two Babylons'', and have dismissed all criticism against it as [[propaganda]], and have made the effort to diligently research its claims in order to defend it, have been profoundly disappointed in the book and its author, whom they assumed was telling the truth. Many of them have been astonished that a book so fully discredited should still be sold in Christian bookstores and recommended by online internet Christian sites. It is still being promoted as factual truth.

Individual Christians who have enthusiastically read ''The Two Babylons'', and have dismissed all criticism against it as [[propaganda]], and have made the effort to diligently research its claims in order to defend it, have been profoundly disappointed in the book and its author, whom they assumed was telling the truth. Many of them have been astonished that a book so fully discredited should still be sold in Christian bookstores and recommended by online internet Christian sites. It is still being promoted as factual truth.