I read Xtianity branches from paganism. if so, then why do alot of Xtians assume pagans are devil worshippers?

Question

Hi. Please sincere answers. No bible scriptures. I've read the whole bloody thing. If paganism helped to make Xtianity, then why aren't some Xtians accpeting of Pagans, but they want Pagans to tolerate them? Yu're not supposed to bite the hand that feeds you.

Answer 1

Its a fact that paganism came before monotheism, so Christianity would had to have come from there, it didn't just appear out of no where. Its called religious evolution or at least that's what I call it. The Christians called Pagans devil worshipers because they were trying to separate themselves from the rest of the people around them, also because they hated the Romans who were Pagan and for good reason, but then Rome decided if you cant beet them, join them and that was that. As a result of the Roman, Christian mix as well as the converting of European Pagans there was once again Pagan aspects put into Christianity, like Easter, Christmas and so on. Christianity can't escape its Pagan past, they need to live with it. God/dess bless. :)

Answer 2

I don't think Christianity branches from paganism, but it was certainly influenced by it, especially in regards to traditions. Also, while I don't see many Christians believing that Pagans worship the devil, I do see a whole lot less respect for Pagans than for members of other religions. No one gets mad at the Hindus, for instance, even though they have a polytheistic religion too. So what's going on? First of all there used to be a lot of Pagans once before but there aren't so many now, so it's seen as a 'primative' religion. Second, the reason paganism is not widely followed these days is because Christianity actively tried to stamp it out. Yes, in the process it picked up a lot of things, but Christianity never was grateful or appreciative of this because that would be oppositional to the goal of eliminating Paganism. You don't really respect something you're trying to eliminate. So if you see certain Christians saying that Pagans worship the devil, it probably comes from a mix of these things combined with a intense, personal, and immediate prejudice against all things not Christian.

On a more light-hearted note, you might enjoy the lyrics to this song, called The Christians and the Pagans by Dar Williams: http://www.lyricscrawler.com/song/144690.html

Answer 3

Well, you're kinda close hon, a sincere examination of history would show that a LOT of the specific stories and beliefs of Christianity are actually elements stolen/borrowed from paganism, then altered. The idea at the time was that the Catholic church wanted to convert the pagans, and the only way the pagans would do that was if the church validated some of their ways.

For example, some of the "saints" that the Catholics lay claim to were originally pagan gods and goddesses, such as Brighid, a Celtic goddess of fire and creativity. Also, several of the "Christian" holidays are offshoots from pagan rituals. Easter, for example, came from "Ostara," a pagan celebration of spring, celebrating renewal of the earth and life. Eggs and bunnies symbolize new life - eggs being unborn chicks, and bunnies because rabbits are soooo prolific! :) The pagans also celebrated "Beltane" around this time.... with the equivalent of big sex parties and wife-swapping to prevent inbreeding and diversify the gene pool! :)

St. Patrick's Day (tho not an actual "Christian" holiday) is even a snub toward pagans of history -- the Christians say it's celebrated because Saint Patrick rid Ireland of snakes.... it wasn't snakes, it was the pagans. :( Another Christian holiday, the most popular even -- Christmas -- was simply to provide a substitute for the celebration of Yule. After all, today it's said that the Christ child was actually supposed to have been born months earlier in the year, summer I think?

Even the standard image that's often presented as representing "the devil" or Satan.... the image of a horned creature comes from the pagan god, "Lucifer," who basically looks like a god you may have heard of called "Pan," also a little half-man, half-goat creature with horns.

Heck, off the top of my head, I believe that the only thing we still traditionally celebrate today that is 100% belonging to the Christians is Thanksgiving, since that was started by the pilgrims! :)

Anyway, yes, in a roundabout way, paganism did contribute to making Christianity what it is today.... but only as part of the Catholic church's way of manipulating the truth and the people. Most members of present-day Christian organizations only know what is fed to them by the preachers and teachers, and the church as a whole doesn't want to have to acknowledge this historical pagan connection, nor do they want to have to sort out the ramifications it would mean to the core beliefs of Christianity.

Therefore, pagans past and present - as they are not converted - are still viewed inaccurately as worshipping any variety of demons, tho actually paganism is an umbrella term for a variety of earth-based beliefs. While they do have several gods and goddesses, they don't worship demons. They just aren't Christian, and that's enough for the church to hate and demonize them and their ways.... and when the church says something is evil or "of Satan," Christians don't typically make the effort to investigate the why's or question it, they just stick with the group and accept whatever they're fed... that's prolly why they're referred to in the bible as "sheep!" :)

Answer 4

If 'Xtianity' = 'Christianity,' then please help the feeble minded by writing it properly. I hate the chopping up and bastardising the language.

Catholicism is, as I understand it, a Christian religion, but I have personally experienced much un-Christian behaviour and attitudes from Catholics, with hi-definition hypocrisy thrown in for good measure. I have also experienced some of the same from Mormons too.

Many, in public, have a Public Face, but in Private ...the other emerges. They are not the same face.

I know nothing about Pagans or what they speak of or practice. But I'd assume their intentions are to. basically, be nice and good to the world in general!

But you are right, 'It is not nice to bite the hand that feeds you.'

Regards.
Sash.

Answer 5

To start with I'd similar to to mention that I do not think someone is evil or that there's just one faith or philosophical procedure that holds the one viable fact. As to this, I suppose all of it stems from the truth that Pagans have been combated in Europe whilst Christianity used to be increasing however no longer Buddhism and Hinduism. These 2 religions are so much older than Christianity and they've hundreds of thousands of fans so kind of they've end up ordinary religions that Christians many admire or no longer however paganism used to be THE #one million enemy of the Church and seeing that 2 in their deities, Pan and Kernunnos have compatibility the outline of the satan offered within the Bible then Christians have a low opinion of pagans. Besides if a procedure you attempted to smash now intends to return again you can most often may not love it, although you've got understood that it is not as you'll have even though it used to be due to the fact in the event you yo do receive it it implies that you have been incorrect earlier than and that would weaken your function. I suppose I'm no longer being transparent adequate or perhaps too messy. Sorry, I'm simply writing my ideas as they arise in my brain. As to Muslims and Jewish virtually worship the identical God so they don't seem to be SO incorrect as Pagans who worship many deities. Besides, in Occident those 2 different religions reside aspect through aspect with Christianity, they've massive numbers of fans, there are business ties among humans professing them and so and many others. I desire you would fully grasp me. Last remark. in the event you question me, the intent why they do that is simple and realistic lack of expertise. They worry what they do not know similar to primitive beings scared of unusual creatures. No offence intended, that is only a mental evaluation.

Answer 6

If you've read the whole Bible (or even the first chapter) then you should know that Monotheism IS he beginning. In the beginning GOD. The God that Christians, Jews, and Muslims believe in CREATED pagans, and everything that pagans worship (trees, sun, themselves, satan, whatever).

Some Christian practices do stem from pagan practices (Christmas trees, Easter eggs, etc.), but Jesus has existed since the beginning (John 1:1), not merely since he was born on earth to Mary and Joseph.

So, even though nobody knew to worship Jesus the Son of God until 2000 years ago, certainly doesn't mean that Christianity stems from paganism. Some practices do, but Christ predates them all. Jesus *is*, regardless of how flawed men practice his worship.

Answer 7

Well it did
the pagan image as "devil worshipers" was created by the Catholic Church

Paganism was sun-worship
Christianity branched from it because many pagans turned into christians and because it was worshipping a god

Answer 8

Considering what "CHRISTianity" is ("Followers of Christ"), and considering what Christians believe: (Anything not of God is of Satan) than it's quite simple to assume Pagans are devil worshipers.(**whether they acknowledge this or not...)

I believe it's true that alot of Pagans don't 'consciously' worship the devil; They don't even know they're doing it...

but 'any form' of idolatry is derived from Satan.

I realize this may not be a popular answer, but that's the reason.

Answer 9

because Christians are afraid to lose power to a bunch of earth lovers, neither religion is correct. but they have ties to each other that can not be denied.

the worship of a tree on the anniversary of Christs birth stems from paganism.

the worship of wreaths, eggs, rebirth, and equinoxes are all rooted in pagan belief.

but as the christian church became more of a government or business than a house of worship, their power needed to be secured, and allowing another religion to be even semi-correct, would be devastating to their integrity.

thus, they needed to deny all credibility of any other religion that posed a threat to them to stay in business.

any christian who denies this, is blindly denying years and years of proof.

Answer 10

Christianity came out of the Hebrew religion and the Hebrew God, not out of paganism.