Why is everything in Church stolen from pagan practices?

Question

Lets take a look at Common rituals and practices and their striking parallels to ancient beliefs predating Christianity.

Baptism is a common Christian ritual; the definition for the word baptism is a rite of washing with water as a sign of religious purification and consecration.

The normal tools used in the baptism ritual are. Usually white Candles depending on setting, a cross, an alter, and a baptismal font (the one I was baptized in was wooden with a cross on top) The priest/minister usually blesses the water, and then recites some words depending on the denomination they can vary. The person is usually then considered born again.

The rite of baptism is of pagan origin.In Egypt, the Book of Going Forth by Day contains a treatise on the baptism of newborn children, which is performed to purify them of blemishes acquired in the womb. Water, especially the Nile's cold water, which was believed to have regenerative powers, is used to baptize the dead in a ritual based on the Osiris story.

New initiates into the Mysteries of Isis/Osiris began their initiation with a sprinkling of purifying waters brought from the Nile. The reason they did this was salvation.

Homer mentions the washing of hands before prayer, and the purification of an entire army with water [Iliad, 1.313].

In ancient history, the Greek historian Plutarch tells us that the rites of
Mithras were being practiced in Cilicia in 67BC.
That is just about 100 years before Christianity started.

In MITHRAISM - There were ceremonies where spiritual purification was believed to come from sprinkling (or like in other branches of Christianity drenching) of the person was baptized with bulls blood or rams blood. This purification meant the person was born again. (also found in eastern idea of spiritual transformation, through "the tongs of fire" or Kundalini and the person is born again or spiritually transformed. This is where the Church gets baptism of the holy spirit from some Christian mystics will say this too)The faithful called Mithras (REMEMBER, 4000 years ago!) "the Light of the World", and a symbol of truth, justice, and loyalty. He was mediator between heaven and earth and was a member of a Holy Trinity, In Ancient Persian Culture. These people were born again followers of him when baptized. SOUND FAMILIAR.

Pagans at Gerasa celebrated the Maioumas, rites in which women bathed and were purified in a sacred pool outside town.

Next is the chistian altar. Used in almost every Christian Church ritual and service on a daily bases all around the world. Lets take a look at the Christian altar and some of the things usually found on it.

Things usually found on a christian alter (depending on the denomination) are candles, a cross (in my experience going to church the cross is always found) the host (communinon or sacremental bread), a bible, insence and/or an insense burner, a challace (usually empty or filled with wine or grape juice), oil, holy water (only seen this when someone is getting baptised). These things are usually placed on a decorated table called the altar.

This is also stolen from religons predating Christianity.

Pagan alters even predating Christianity usually contained in the center a sign or symbol of the god(s) this altar was dedicated too and/or a statue. Insense and/or an insense burner, a challace usually filled with wine during pagan rituals to be drunk by the followers. Food or bread laid out for the gods and sometimes a sacrifice (notice how the host is sometimes called sacrificial bread and Jesus is a living sacrifice represented by it). Oil or potions blessed by the priest/priestess. A statue or an artists representation of the god/gods this altar is dedicated too. (notice the artwork and posters usually found in a church santuary).

The steeple, is also a stolen symbol. I personally find this one funny when I looked into it and found out what it origionally meant. The church steeple is a copy of the Egyptian Obelisk, and also has similarties to the maypole originally A carved upright representation of the human penis that was danced around by young females and woven with ribbons to ensure offspring. and a symbol of fertility. Te Obelisk was origionally symbolic of the phallus. They represented the erect organ of the earth God "Geb" as he lay on the ground trying to reach up to unite himself with the Goddess "Neith/Nut" of the overarching sky.

This is not the only thing used by Christians that represents sex. In fact one of their main symbols the fish symbol also origionally had to do with sex. "The ancients stated that a woman's sexual secretions smelled like fish, which is why the Vesca Piscis - the Fish sign was chosen as the symbol of the yoni (vagina)." Also due to its shape similar to the vagina.

The fish is Also in astrology a symbol for Pisces and the Piscean age we are currently in.

Answer 1

Truth and proper practice are found where they are found. It does not bother us one little bit that other groups may have had our practices. The closer to proper worship they become, the better. We have what we have, and know why we have it.



Forgive me.

/Orthodox

Answer 2

First, your comment is not a question; it is a blog rant. Secondly, if you really studied authentic historical research instead of speculative and interpretative hearsay, you would know that your argument is stupid to those who do bother to look at the facts, are educated enough to know fact from propaganda, and understand cultural evolution, history, and the development of the Judeo-Christian paradigm within history. As for Mithracism--it was a highly secret mystery cult that was exclusive to Roman soldiers. Hardly nothing is really known about it and much of what has been disseminated about it is interpretive, inaccurate, and mostly most recently debunked. The symbol of the fish, although a common symbol in other cultures, was the earliest Christian symbol and it was not a sexual allusion; it was an illusion to Christ being a fisherman. As a highly educated(unlike you) modern "pagan," I (unlike you) have absolutely no problem with Christians or how they express their Christianity or what may or may not have been the inspiration for the Christian holidays or sacraments. It really REALLY is not a big deal.

Answer 3

...Whenever one encounters a proposed example of pagan influence, one should demand that its existence be properly documented, not just asserted. The danger of accepting an inaccurate claim is too great. The amount of misinformation in this area is great enough that it is advisable never to accept a reported parallel as true unless it can be demonstrated from primary source documents or through reliable, scholarly secondary sources. After receiving documentation supporting the claim of a pagan parallel, one should ask a number of questions:



1. Is there a parallel? Frequently, there is not. The claim of a parallel may be erroneous, especially when the documentation provided is based on an old or undisclosed source...



2. Is the parallel dependent or independent? Even if there is a pagan parallel, that does not mean that there is a causal relationship involved. Two groups may develop similar beliefs, practices, and artifacts totally independently of each other. The idea that similar forms are always the result of diffusion from a common source has long been rejected by archaeology and anthropology, and for very good reason: Humans are similar to each other and live in similar (i.e., terrestrial) environments, leading them to have similar cultural artifacts and views.



For example, Fundamentalists have made much of the fact that Catholic art includes Madonna and Child images and that non-Christian art, all over the world, also frequently includes mother and child images. There is nothing sinister in this. The fact is that, in every culture, there are mothers who hold their children! ...



3. Is the parallel antecedent or consequent? Even if there is a pagan parallel that is causally related to a non-pagan counterpart, this does not establish which gave rise to the other. It may be that the pagan parallel is a late borrowing from a non-pagan source. Frequently, the pagan sources we have are so late that they have been shaped in reaction to Jewish and Christian ideas. Sometimes it is possible to tell that pagans have been borrowing from non-pagans. Other times, it cannot be discerned who is borrowing from whom (or, indeed, if anyone is borrowing from anyone).



For example: The ideas expressed in the Norse Elder Edda about the end and regeneration of the world were probably influenced by the teachings of Christians with whom the Norse had been in contact for centuries (H. A. Guerber, The Norsemen, 339f).



4. Is the parallel treated positively, neutrally, or negatively? Even if there is a pagan parallel to a non-pagan counterpart, that does not mean that the item or concept was enthusiastically or uncritically accepted by non-pagans. One must ask how they regarded it. Did they regard it as something positive, neutral, or negative?



For example: Circumcision and the symbol of the cross might be termed "neutral" Jewish and Christian counterparts to pagan parallels. It is quite likely that the early Hebrews first encountered the idea of circumcision among neighboring non-Jewish peoples, but that does not mean they regarded it as a

religiously good thing for non-Jews to do. Circumcision was regarded as a religiously good thing only for Jews because for them it symbolized a special covenant with the one true God (Gen. 17). The Hebrew scriptures are silent in a religious appraisal of non-Jewish circumcision; they seemed indifferent to the fact that some pagans circumcised....



...Similarly, the early Christians who adopted the cross as a symbol did not do so because it was a pagan religious symbol (the pagan cultures which use it as a symbol, notably in East Asia and the Americas, had no influence on the early Christians). The cross was used as a Christian symbol because Christ died on a cross—his execution being regarded as a bad thing in itself, in fact, an infinite injustice—but one from which he brought life for the world. Christians did not adopt it because it was a pagan symbol they liked and wanted to copy...



Ultimately, all attempts to prove Catholicism "pagan" fail. Catholic doctrines are neither borrowed from the mystery religions nor introduced from pagans after the conversion of Constantine. To make a charge of paganism stick, one must be able to show more than a similarity between something in the Church and something in the non-Christian world. One must be able to demonstrate a legitimate connection between the two, showing clearly that one is a result of the other, and that there is something wrong with the non-Christian item.



In the final analysis, nobody has been able to prove these things regarding a doctrine of the Catholic faith, or even its officially authorized practices. The charge of paganism just doesn’t work.

Answer 4

I thoroughly enjoy this manner of question.



a query with research attached, an idea with data backing it up, not just someone making a claim and hoping it sticks.

I congratulate you on your fine work.



The reasoning is simple enough: they started as a tiny cult. Some might argue that they began to parasite off the traditions, traits and even the holy days of other reilgions and cultures because, hey, they were unoriginal and not very creative writers in christian circles (evidence: the bible and the sheer weight of contradictions presented), or perhaps it was part of their method for attracting more followers.



"THEY celebrate a holy day on december the 25th? then WE will too! it'll be like theirs but ours will be LEGITIMATE! what will we celebrate? uhh, hmm... I don't know. maybe Jesus being born! oh, i know he was born on january 6th... or is it september 18th? doesn't matter. they're celebrating, we'll do i better and make them feel guilty because we do it right and they do it wrong..."

Answer 5

You are correct. The reason is because as the bible tells us, Satan is the god of this world. The churches like everything else, belong to him.



If you are seeking a group of people who worship the true God, Jehovah, our creator, without using any pagan artifacts, or teaching any pagan doctrine, you will find them at any kingdom hall of Jehovah's witnesses.

Answer 6

Because whether they like it or not, Western religions are a part of a shared cultural legacy. The names change, but the best stories and practices get re-branded.

Answer 7

Did you know there was a River of Fire in BC Greek mythology which has been categorized by the inventor himself as "fables to control the masses of people"......Yet 2300 years later churches still use it.

Answer 8

Ever read the... bible? Even the first few lines? It states... "In the beginning, GOD...." Ever consider in light of that fact, maybe... just maybe.... it was "paganism" which actually stole so much from the first faith in a Divine Being?



Now, there's a novel thought to ponder... for some. Indeed.

Answer 9

Actually, what it really is, is that everything in churches that is bull crap, is stolen from pagan practices.

Its literally impossible for even anyone alive, to always be wrong.

Answer 10

OK, here is what is wrong with your argument: A butterfly and a bird both have wings. Does this mean that birds evolved from butterflys?

Answer 11

It is important that we worship God in the way that he approves. Many people believe that all religions are pleasing to God, but the Bible does not teach that. It is not even enough just to claim to be a Christian. Jesus said: “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.” To have God’s approval, therefore, we must learn what God requires of us and do it. Jesus called those who do not do God’s will “workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:21-23) Like counterfeit money, false religion has no real value. Even worse, such religion is actually harmful. Jehovah gives everyone on earth the opportunity to gain everlasting life. To have eternal life in Paradise, however, we must worship God properly and live now in a way that is acceptable to him. Sadly, many refuse to do so. That is why Jesus said: “Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.” (Matthew 7:13, 14) True religion leads to everlasting life. False religion leads to destruction. Jehovah does not want any human to be destroyed, and that is why he is giving people everywhere an opportunity to learn about him. (2 Peter 3:9) Really, then, the way we worship God means either life or death for us. God’s servants base their teachings on the Bible. The Bible itself says: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man [or woman] of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) To his fellow Christians, the apostle Paul wrote: “When you received God’s word, which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13) Hence, beliefs and practices of the true religion are not based on human views or tradition. They originate in God’s inspired Word, the Bible. Those who practice the true religion worship only Jehovah and make his name known. Jesus declared: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” (Matthew 4:10) Thus, God’s servants worship no one other than Jehovah. This worship includes letting people know what the name of the true God is and what he is like. Psalm 83:18 states: “You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” Jesus set the pattern in helping others to get to know God, as he said in prayer: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.” (John 17:6) Similarly, true worshipers today teach others about God’s name, his purposes, and his qualities. God’s people show genuine, unselfish love for one another. Jesus said: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) The early Christians had such love for one another. Godly love overcomes racial, social, and national barriers and draws people together in an unbreakable bond of true brotherhood. (Colossians 3:14) Members of false religions do not have such a loving brotherhood. How do we know that? They kill one another because of national or ethnic differences. True Christians do not take up weapons to kill their Christian brothers or anyone else. The Bible states: “The children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact: Everyone who does not carry on righteousness does not originate with God, neither does he who does not love his brother. . . . We should have love for one another; not like Cain, who originated with the wicked one and slaughtered his brother.”—1 John 3:10-12; 4:20, 21. Therefore true Christians do not go to war and kill their brothers in other countries.

True christians also follow Jesus organization for preaching house to house all their lives until the end comes. Acts 20:20, Luke 10;1,2