Are there any christians that accept that christianity was born from paganism?

Question

I'm not trying to start a fight here, I really want to know. Are there any christians out there that have studied the histories of many religions who know that christianity came from pagan traditions but is still a devout christian?

Please don't quote bible verses at me or try to convert me, I'm just asking a question.

Answer 1

First, I'm not a Christian and do not refer to myself as a pagan. that is a term coined by organized religion. If pagans are defined as people who are not Christian and without prejudice, great.

But Jews are not Christian either, their history of miracles and the parting of the Red Sea, Jonah in the whale are myth They systematically destroyed the ancient religions although they adopted much of the ancients mythology as their own. It was easier to convert others to their beliefs. Then as Christianity grew, so did the destruction .

If you haven't read Thomas Paines, Age Of Reason. please do:

"It is upon this plain narrative of facts that the Christian Mythologists, calling themselves the Christian Church, have erected their fable, which, for absurdity and extravagance, is not exceeded by anything that is to be found in the mythology of the ancients."

Answer 2

Lotus,
I have been hearing about this for a while now. It is an interesting theory, but I have to say that at best, from what I have seen so far, is that it attempts to threat the similarities of Christianity with older faiths. It doesn't mean that they were borrowed or stolen from those other ones. It means that they have some similar characteristics.

Zoroastrianism is one of those. It got brought up from time to time as some kind of 'purer' and 'wonderful' religion, more than Christianity. But when I researched Zoroastrianism, I found that it was much like Christianity. It's just that the focus is legalistic, unreasonable, murderous, and ridiculous.

I'm sure that if I look into Mithraism that I will find the same kind of thing.

Those that don't have the Spirit of God, won't know the value of what they are reading.

The example that I have is in the way the unbeliever attempts to give commentary on the Bible. They simply suck all possible wrong ways to look at scripture, in a most consistent manner.

I am constantly amazed at the miracle that is so prevalent on a daily basis of those who have the Spirit who understand, and those that don't. They go to their religious comparison classes and think that they are getting a better idea of what the Bible says than what most Christian know. And it's true, they do know much about the Bible than most Christians in certain areas. What they lack is the understanding of the Bible. They come away from the class sounding like a trivia game. All kinds of little factoids and none of the trust of it. No love of it.

Answer 3

Actually, there are several minor religions around the world that have many nearly-identical stories as those found in the Old Testament. In particular, reference the epic of Gilgamesh, of which versions were written well before the Bible was ever set down on paper and includes a pretty close account to the story of Noah's Ark. It is (or was, anyway) the oldest known account of mankind's origins, and some manuscripts for it predate any of those found for the Old Testament.

Additionally, almost every religion has a creation story and a flood story....... interesting thought to chew on!

As for the New Testament -- I think it's safe to say that's fairly original, but I'm no scholar and so don't know 100% for sure.

FURTHERMORE, as it happens, the solstice moves about one day in every five-hundred years. So, given that, 2000 years ago the winter solstice would have been on December 25. Coincidence? Highly unlikely.......

Answer 4

Most hardcore Christians I've met not only accept it but preach about it. It's the ones who only read things that validate their beliefs that'll tell you Jesus really was born on Dec.25 or that Easter is really about Christianity.

The ones who deny it show themselves as not true Christians. Christians do their homework and know the truth about history and how and why certain customs came to be. True Christians don't just throw out a bible verse or two and blame the devil.

I, too love to study religious history. It's one of the most interesting things in the world IMO

Answer 5

I can't accept that Paganisim formed the roots of Christianity because Christianity was born of Jesus.
Having said that, I believe that in todays world Jesus would be a Pagan after he saw what 'man' has done to Christianity and all religions.
Have a nice day & let the positive energy flow :o)

Answer 6

And Just whats the purpose of your question?
I don't think Christianity was born from Paganism Just like I don't believe Islam is rooted in Paganism.
Paganism was there long before Christianity and Islam. However, since it was the same 'Pagans' who were converted to Christianity, they brought with them their pagan traditions; it also happened in Islam and also Judaism. You can't prevent this.

Answer 7

It wasn't born from paganism but historical christianity has a lot of paganism in this. "Messianics" and "Nazarenes" (not church of the nazarenes) are two groups of "christians" that know much about the paganism that infilitrated the churches. They do not celebrate holidays that were originally pagan like easter or christmas. Also, most do not accept the "trinity" either but believe in One God. There is much more to their beliefs and they are really serious about God's commandments not picking and choosing like most christians.

Answer 8

They are some holidays associated with important christian teaching, e.g the birth and death of Jesus; for which in the activities associated with it in modern culture are not "christian" in origin. Take Easter eggs, and Santa clause for example. I know of this because most Christians preach ageist these traditions as being "ungodly" and "paganistic".
The history is Christianity is, however, pretty well documented and founded on the teachings/life/death/Resurrection of Jesus.

Answer 9

Quit being so dang blind and do some research for yourself! Christmas is Saturnalia! Easter is the Spring Equinox! Jesus wasn't born in winter, shepherds wouldn't be out wanderin the fields in the middle of the night in december! Before you go spoutin off about how only the devil wants you to think that get your head out of your @ss and do some research. Catholocism is basically polytheistic. Hell was the norse goddess of the underworld. Baal (Baalzebub), the christian demon, was a mesopotamian god. It's all there if you care to look.

Answer 10

I agree that many customs of worship and religious holidays have pagan roots, but the essentials of the Christian doctrine (namely the atonement) came via Jesus Christ, a person as opposed to old pagan beliefs.

best wishes