What do you think of this excerpt.......?

Question

The word "heresy" had its meaning altered; it came to mean "a crime punishable by death." The word comes from the Greek word "hairesis" which means "a school of thought" not a "false doctrine," as the Church fathers led us to believe. Pagan deities were identified with the devils and demons of the new religion, and their images became associated with evil. The best example of this was the demonization of the Great Horned God of Europe, one of the most widely worshipped Pagan deities, who became Christianity's horned devil and anti-God. No amount of logic could convince these witch hunters that pagans never had a devil and do not believe in one; he is wholly a construct of Christian theology. But pagans died horrible deaths fighting for the truth of the faith.

I was just wondering what everyone's input is on this research.

When I said excerpt that is what this is, not my own words. And yes it was christian theology then and still is today.

Answer 1

It is factual but then again that is how Christianity handled all it's perceived threats or competition. I mean come on look at the Crusades, the Inquisition, the list is endless.

Answer 2

Pretty good! Of course, it is just a fragment, but it sounds quite good, in fact. Do us a favor and give us a link to the finished work. Publish it on your 360 page or something. I'm interested.

One word of advice: the line "pagans never had a devil and do not believe in one" needs clarification. There are gods that are primarily destructive, or tricksters, and the like, which would be interpreted by many as "evil" in the sense Christians use. I would amplify that part a bit. And of course, there were pagan gods that were worshiped with human sacrifices at times, and other rather grim and dark practices, but mostly for the convenience of the priests in punishing enemies.

Answer 3

I think this article reaches a flawed conclusion because it's based upon a flawed presumption: that the Greek word "hairesis" meant something other than what we understand it to mean today. I've looked up the meaning of heresis in several non-religious Greek lexicons and not one of them defined this word as simply "a school of thought." Interestingly, the actual word "hairesis" does not appear in the NT; other words or combinations of words convey the concept of heresy. So we Christians don't even need to rely upon "hairesis" when identifying, evaluating and discussing doctrine that violates central Church beliefs.

Proof that "hairesis" is used correctly by the Church, does, however, exist. The writings of Irenaeus (who lived from AD 130-202), a Greek, repeatedly use the word "hairesis" to describe heresy as we define it today. Why is Irenaeus so important? He was taught Christianity by Polycarp, who was taught by the Apostle John himself! It is an accepted fact that John spoke, read and wrote Greek; had the word "hairesis" meant something else, surely Irenaus would have learned this.

I hope this helps. Peace and love in Jesus.

Answer 4

Yeah I always found that one interesting. I forget the exact passages in the "Bible" but I know the old testament said something to the fact that horns were a sign of "God given power" but the new testament says they are a sign of evil.

Besides the converting Cernunnos/Herne into Satan was great for fueling the fires of the Inquisition so the Christian could kill Pagans and take their lands for their own.

Answer 5

Good point.

It’s too bad that most Christians don't ever try to research the roots of some of the beliefs that they have.

It could lead them quickly out of the dark sinister world of good and evil that they have been mislead into believing in, into the bright loving world that Jesus tried his best to teach them about.

I applaud your efforts at educating them, but I feel it will fall on deaf ears.

There is just too much of an investment in the good people bad people paradigm. After all without the bad people whom would they have to be better than?

Love and blessings
don

Answer 6

Heresy is an extreme version of "I don't agree with you...and I will punish you for it...by declaring it a crime."

Answer 7

Proves once again the church will spin things their way.

Answer 8

being right is alright Lot of christian where martyred but there was also some that were wrong in their religion.

Answer 9

Don't say Christian theology, say, Catholic theology

Answer 10

you are correct.religion has destroyed the world in which we live.now there is so much hate and violence due to religious beliefs