Pagans: If Christianity derives so much of its doctrine from Paganism, why isn't it as benign as Paganism?

Answer 1

The purer something is, the more rare and precious it becomes.

Answer 2

Interesting question. I think Jesus sought to make Judaism more benign. The pacifist "turn the cheek" philosophy is way more benign than Zionism. By some accounts, Jesus even spoke out opposing circumcision. I agree that, unfortunately, most of Jesus' good work was undone by the Romans, who basically created non-benign Christianity.

But my major point is that only very recently has the meme of human unity been a powerful spiritual force. In the past, most people - pagan or not - were tried to their own local cultural traditions. They were aware of outsiders, but there was little feeling that "we're all in this together." Since we have had the power to destroy the human race at the touch of a button for 50 years, things have changed. The human race is evolving spiritually as we recognize the necessity of ending war forever. The rise of neo-paganism since the 50s and 60s is basically about a spirituality in which you can create your own religion, as can anyone else. We are all in this together. There are no outsiders. If we don't do it, we will go extinct. Neo-pagans are not for forced conversion. People should hold on to whatever spiritual and religious beliefs that are good and moral. But if the human race is too survive, we must eliminate the meme "us vs. them." This meme certainly exists in modern Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Just look at Palestine vs. Israel. (In Sri Lanka, it was the Hindus vs the Buddhists !)

Answer 3

The true Doctrine is in the Bible. Not in a leader of a group spouting off what he believes. The Bible is the authority and it condemns the introduction of any Paganism. for example Baal was a pagan God of the Harvest and practiced prostitution and the child derived from that ritual to be sacrificed as a offering to Baal. This was practiced around the Israelites in the old testament and even the Israelites began to practice the horrid ritual. God strictly forbids any other practices. "
2Ki 17:35 When the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them". Paganism is not a benign as you think. There are many other pagan practices still today. Please read about Santaria in the sources to understand how some denominations allowed these rituals but never eradicated them form among so called christians

Answer 4

Well, the Jews who followed the Messiah Theory and proclaimed Jesus as their savior seem to have been angry Jews to begin with, and thus became even angrier Christians when they realized that the Romans, etc. hated them (Christains) even more than regular Jews.

When Christianity began to spread through Europe, the Christian clergy discovered that scaring the Pagans into becoming Christian worked better than any other method of coersion. They purposely bred fear and hatred of anything not Christian, often using the Pagans' own beliefs against them.

Of course, Christianity has its fair share of fanatics and hate mongers--far more of those than any Pagan religion. And many Christians have been brainwashed to actually hate and fear anything outside their own understanding. That is a really big factor in the malevolence of Christianity throughout the centuries.

Answer 5

To say that one religion is more benign than the other is a mistake. Both religions, no ALL religions have killed in the name of their God(s). Lets take some one from history Charlemagne (Charles the Great) he ruled the Franks (france) from 771-814. His reign was that of war and religious murders. Any one that was caught worshiping any thing other than Christian god was beheaded.
Then you are Nero. of roman evil evil man. he was pagan so history is pot marked with evil people and their religions were different. Even today we have a war being fough with a religious undertone. Neither side is Pagan i will count out.

Answer 6

To call paganism 'benign' is ridiculous. Learn the difference between the various so-called 'pagan' traditions which once flourished throughout Europe, and the modern humanistic and naturalistic Neo-Pagan movement we see today. The 'pagans' of the past were not peaceful, or amicable tree-worshipping Druids. They had varying degrees of benevolence, but their rites were brutal and many of their actions would make any neo-pagan cringe.

Christianity, at it's core, is much more benign and in-line with our modern humanistic moral codes than the pagans ever were.

Answer 7

It's the Romans fault. No, really.

See, they had no sense of humor. We Celts rolled in, sacked their capital, had a little fun. No worries, right?

'cept those Romans, they couldn't take a joke. They storm through Gaul, invade Britain, even build Hadrian's Wall to "keep us out." Talk about cranky.

So, when Christianity became the religion of the Empire, it had that same lack of humor in its DNA. ::shrugs:: Ah well.

Answer 8

The Romans were benign? They certainly were pagan.
The Greeks were benign? They certainly were pagan.

Answer 9

Recommended reading: "City of Sacrifice" by David Carrasco and "Violence and the Sacred" by Rene Girard.

Paganism can be many things, even beautiful in its own way, but it is hardly ever "benign".

Answer 10

Christianity and politics somehow mixed some.

Mixing church and state is like mixing ice cream with manure, does nothing bad to the manure but ruins the ice cream. Spiritual beliefs are ice cream.

Blessed Be.

Answer 11

Oh, you mean those sweet ancient Roman pagans who celebrated their gods by murdering people in the most grotesque horrible ways for sport in the coloseum? Impaling and watching them die, burning alive, having them eaten alive by wild boars, lions, bears, etc.? Yeah, very benign group there. I think you need to go back to school.