How do Christians and Catholics feel about the Green Man's image being seen in churches?

Question

I just got back from London and Paris yesterday and was thrilled to catch a glimpse of paganism crossing with christianity in the form of the Green Man, historical pagan god of the woods, carved into many churches and cathedrals. I am curious as to what people of the christian faith think about this pagan god incorporated into their place of worship?

If you don't know who the Green Man (also referred to as Jack in the Green) is here are a couple of links
http://www.ancientspiral.com/greenman.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Man

And to all you R&S regulars and irregulars - I missed you all terribly!

caity - thanks for the welcome - i brought back mini eiffel towers for you all!

Answer 1

YOUR BACK!!!!! I missed you! I'm not Christian but I'll give you my opinion anyway;). In a lot of early Christian/Catholic cathedrals and artifacts local pagan themes crept into the architecture and images. I think it's really awesome though that you can still see it in Europe.

Hey, did you bring me a miniature of Big Ben? ;-)

Answer 2

The Church is consecrated floor and the ghosts, trolls , giants and goblins of previous ought to not stand the sound of the holy church bells, they became into stone. This became into secure practices for the Christians against each and all of the demons. some Cathedrals have a lot of gargoyles became into stone on the exterior. i've got seen a ordinary (stone style) in a Cathedral.

Answer 3

This wouldn't have been a big deal to people in the early Christian church.....most were polytheistic, they just believed that THEIR god was the most powerful one.

The Romans would sacrifice to the local gods when they would annex new countries.

The real surprise is that the faction who believed the "Jewish" god of the Old Testament and the "Christian God" of the New were two different deities didn't win the battle.



At some point; absolute intolerance took over.

Answer 4

I'm not sure if that is considered "crossing". It's just a carved figure on some churches. But most churches here in the US don't have elaborate carvings, just steeples or crosses. Plus, I think crossing one religion with another would consist of actually preaching about it in the church and developing a belief system about it. That certainly is not happening where I come from.

Answer 5

How do Christians feel about the Green Man's image being seen in churches?

There, I fixed it for you. There is no need to make a distinction, since Catholics are Christians.

:)

Answer 6

Sounds like you had a wonderful time....I'm so jealous!

Is it called The Fawn? Or am I thinking of something else?

I have a statue...called that, and it's green. Don't know if it is the same thing. Educate me, if you know, someone!

The strange thing is, most of their religion is so mixed in with Pagan beliefs that you really can't tell if they thought up anything on their own.

*I looked it up myself....my statue is not the same thing. Learn something new every day!

Answer 7

I think its pretty cool, the whole pagan earth worshipping thing makes a lot more sense to me. If you have to worship anything, worship the very earth that gives and harbours your life.

Answer 8

I just have to say catholics are Christians. Catholicism is only one of many forms of Christianity.

Answer 9

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you.

Answer 10

i know. what do you think of gargoyles on churches to ward off evil? don't they think their god can handle this by himself?