Before Christianity entered Europe, were there any religion in Europe?

Answer 1

Multiple religions and gods (found in cities and nations).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_religion

Answer 2

Definitely. For example, in addition to the well known Greek and Roman polytheistic religions in Europe, the Norse, Viking or Scandinavian mythology comprises the indigenous pre-Christian religion, beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian peoples, including those who settled on Iceland, where most of the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. Norse mythology is the best-preserved version of the older common Germanic paganism, which also includes the closely related Anglo-Saxon mythology. Germanic mythology, in its turn, developed from an earlier Indo-European mythology.

The Germanic tribes rarely or never had temples in a modern sense. The Blót, the form of worship practiced by the ancient Germanic and Scandinavian people resembled that of the Celts and Balts : it could occur in sacred groves. It could also take place at home and/or at a simple altar of piled stones known as a "horgr". However, there seems to have been a few more important centres, such as Skiringssal, Lejre and Uppsala. Adam of Bremen claims that there was a temple in Uppsala (see Temple at Uppsala) with three wooden statues of Thor, Odin and Freyr.

While a kind of priesthood seems to have existed, it never took on the professional and semi-hereditary character of the Celtic druidical class. This was because the shamanistic tradition was maintained by women, the Völvas. It is often said that the Germanic kingship evolved out of a priestly office. This priestly role of the king was in line with the general role of godi, who was the head of a kindred group of families (for this social structure, see norse clans), and who administered the sacrifices. Despite the shamanistic Völvas, this religion was not a form of shamanism.

Answer 3

Lots of religions. There were the Norse religions, the Roman and Greek religions, Druidism, the Celts had various religions and there were older ones like the religion of the Etruscans that had been superceded by others. That is just a few of them. Christianity used the feasts of other religions such as the winter solstice festivals of Saturnalia and Yule for Christmas and the vernal equinox festival for Easter and incorporated them into the new religion. There were many Jews in Europe as well.

"Pagan" means "non-Christian/Jewish" so if they weren't Christian or Jewish they had to be pagan.

Answer 4

Absolutely, each people had their own Gods and their own religion. The Ethnic Religions have survived in Estonia, Iceland and (according to some sources) "underground" survivals in southern European countries such as Italy and Greece.

To state that there was NO valid religion in any portion of the planet before the advent of Christianity in the area is something that would demonstrate the ignorance of the person making the statement......

Answer 5

Yes, there were many different faiths. The most famous pagan religions are the Greek and Roman pantheons, followed by the Norse gods/goddesses in what is now Norway and Finland. The Celts and Picts (British Isles) were Druids.

Try googling "European Paganism", and see what else you find.

Answer 6

Yes, many. There were the Druids, the Greek/Roman pagan beliefs, etc. Mostly, they were regional. Some places had their own personal deity, that was turned into a saint by the Christians.

Answer 7

Paganism.

Answer 8

Usually polytheistic pagan religions.

Answer 9

Norse, Germanic, various flavors of Celtic, Greek and Roman to name a few.

Answer 10

Varieties of paganism.

Druidism was prevalent in British Isles. (worship of forces)

Various idol worshipping forms.

Greece and Rome had numerous idols and gods.