The Antichrist (book)

The Antichrist (Der Antichrist) is a book by Friedrich Nietzsche, originally published in 1895.

The German title can be translated into English as both "The Anti-christ" and "The Anti-christian"; given the content of the book it is likely to imply both. It is not intended to refer to the biblical Antichrist but is rather an attack on the "slave morality" of Christianity. Nietzsche's basic claim is that Christianity is a poisoner of western culture and perversion of the words of Jesus (who is described, for the most part, favorably). In this light, the shocking and blasphemous title is mainly expressing Nietzsche's enmity of christianity. The majority of the book is a vicious and detailed attack upon the interpretations of Christ's words by St. Paul and those who followed him. It is, however, worth noting that Nietzsche, although respectful of Jesus' honesty and strength of character, does indeed explicitly represent in some ways the antithesis to Jesus' teachings of passivity and meekness. Therefore the title "Antichrist" also refers to Jesus as a philosophical opposite.

Quotes

"In reality there has only been one christian, and he died on the cross"

About organized Christianity – "I call it the one immortal blemish upon the human race"

External links

• The Antichrist complete text