Cover of The Essence of Christianity

The Essence of Christianity

by Ludwig Feuerbach

First published
1841
Reading level
Fairly demanding
Price
Free

About the book

"The Essence of Christianity" by Ludwig Feuerbach is a philosophical work published in 1841. It argues that God is not a separate being but rather an outward projection of human nature and needs. Feuerbach contends that every divine quality attributed to God actually corresponds to human features, making religion a mirror of humanity rather than a revelation from above. This influential critique of religion shaped later thinkers including Marx and Engels, establishing Feuerbach's theory of alienation and cementing the work as a classic of humanist philosophy.

  • Christianity
  • Religion

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #47025. The Essence of Christianity on Wikipedia.