Christianity as a pagan religion

[paolops181]

Tell us all knowing one.

Was I the one to ask you my friend? or you didn't understand?

 

[paolops181]

Tell us all knowing one.

Im not all knowing one hahaha you're funny..

 

[paolops181]

Im not all knowing one hahaha you're funny..

Where are you now mister pagan ???

 

[rusra02]

Of course Rusra, I bet you think you are a true Christian. Am I right?

I would be a poor specimen if I belonged to a religion that I think is false. I would hope that most people would either believe their faith is correct, or search for the one that is correct. The Bible says at Ephesians 4:4-6 "One body there is, and one spirit, even as you were called in the one hope to which you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all [persons], who is over all and through all and in all." There is, therefore, only one true faith. Jesus believed and taught he was the one way of approach to God, and so did his disciples.
(John 8:31,32; Acts 5:12) As to those who falsely assume the mantle of "Christian",
Titus 1:16 explains "They publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works, because they are detestable and disobedient and not approved for good work of any sort."

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I am not surprised that Muslims have trouble understanding Christianity, when even Christianities few representatives on here, agree nether on its core beliefs nor on its background.

Christianity like any faith is moulded both by its history and by what went before it.

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

In thinking about ancient and modern forms of Christianity, many Christians characterize other religions as "pagan." This word came into use because Christianity was a city religion and "pagan" refered to the uneducated and irreligious hillbillies. But "pagan" is now used to refer to any religion other than Christianity.

In our thinking and reflection about Christianity, we need to realize that Christianity is the product of pagan religion and philosophy [the fusion of Greco-Roman culture and a sylized interpretation of Jewish texts]; therefore we should consider it just as pagan as other religions.

I believe this to be true. Christianity was a syncretic religion based on Jewish ideas, pagan ideas, philosophical ideas, and some even believe eastern concepts. I don't believe that this diminishes the value of the religion, it might actually add to it. As I believe that all religions are valid, and all are basically the same at their core, I don't think that Christianity is any less or more valuable or true than any other religion, and Christians should not be afraid to explore the roots of their religion. It might give them ways to add to their experience.

 

[ellenjanuary]

When I think of pagan religion, I think of dancing naked in the moonlight. Christianity is too uptight for all that.

 

[uu_sage]

As a liberal Christian who is practically Jewish, the orthodox expressions of Christian faith were products of the Roman Empire. The empire wanted to consolidate its power and have it unified by a certain faith tradition. So it co-opted the religion of Jesus (a Reform Judaism) and by the inclusion of Pagan (i.e. Mithraism) rituals and traditions turned it into a religion made up about Jesus. By making these changes, the faith would become more acceptable to Pagans like Constantine. Once a faith tradition starts to assimilate into Empire it starts to embody the empire itself- for instance- a focus on militarism, doctrinal conformity, sexual repression, and other disturbing elements.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

When I think of pagan religion, I think of dancing naked in the moonlight. Christianity is too uptight for all that.

That depends entirely on the quality and quantity of the drinks.

 

[AntEmpire]

I don't know that the peasants and hillbillies that were called "pagan" during the early years of Christianity were actually irreligious. Unless of course one defines "irreligious" as lacking christianity. Granted many modern definitions relating to religion (at least in the West) are based upon the assumption that Christianity is the One True (tm) religion.

Gnostic christians for example were considered pagan. They had their own rituals, ways of looking at Jesus's teachings, different teachings all together, women as priestesses even.

 

[ninerbuff]

While many so-called "christian" religions are the product of pagan religion and philosophy, true christianity is not and never has been. Rather, true christianity is based on the teachings and life pattern of Jesus Christ. The fact that pagans persecuted the first christians without mercy shows the incompatibilities of these faiths. "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Be′li·al? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I shall reside among them and walk among [them], and I shall be their God, and they will be my people.” “‘Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.’” “‘And I shall be a father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah the Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

Guess you don't celebrate Christmas or Easter.

 

[outhouse]

In thinking about ancient and modern forms of Christianity, many Christians characterize other religions as "pagan." This word came into use because Christianity was a city religion and "pagan" refered to the uneducated and irreligious hillbillies. But "pagan" is now used to refer to any religion other than Christianity.

In our thinking and reflection about Christianity, we need to realize that Christianity is the product of pagan religion and philosophy [the fusion of Greco-Roman culture and a sylized interpretation of Jewish texts]; therefore we should consider it just as pagan as other religions.

Not only that bud, but if you look at the OT many pagan storys were used that evolved into the hebrew storys.

I dont think anyone should deny the pagan herritage involved throughout biblical history

jesus story mirrors many pagan rituals and belief's

 

[WanderingSoul]

In thinking about ancient and modern forms of Christianity, many Christians characterize other religions as "pagan." This word came into use because Christianity was a city religion and "pagan" refered to the uneducated and irreligious hillbillies. But "pagan" is now used to refer to any religion other than Christianity.

In our thinking and reflection about Christianity, we need to realize that Christianity is the product of pagan religion and philosophy [the fusion of Greco-Roman culture and a sylized interpretation of Jewish texts]; therefore we should consider it just as pagan as other religions.

"...Christianity is the product of pagan religion and philosophy..."

Let me say this: Prove it.

I'm not a Christian, but if I were, I think I might be put-off by that remark. How does a believer reconcile your statement with the conviction that God revealed itself to humanity through the life and death of Christ, for the purpose of salvation?

One single revelation of divine truth, would be worth more than all the reasoned doubt the world could muster, I say. How sure are you that Christ was not a revelation of God to the world?

"...therefore we should consider it just as pagan as other religions."

That might be true, but only if your previous statement is true. If you are wrong, then salvation in Christ could not be rendered any less true, nor be debased with the moniker, "pagan."

 

[angellous_evangellous]

There are many Christians on RF that need to keep this in mind when criticizing stuff.

 

[Dinner123]

In thinking about ancient and modern forms of Christianity, many Christians characterize other religions as "pagan." This word came into use because Christianity was a city religion and "pagan" refered to the uneducated and irreligious hillbillies. But "pagan" is now used to refer to any religion other than Christianity.

In our thinking and reflection about Christianity, we need to realize that Christianity is the product of pagan religion and philosophy [the fusion of Greco-Roman culture and a sylized interpretation of Jewish texts]; therefore we should consider it just as pagan as other religions.

Interesting ... so Paul a Jew, Peter a Jew, Matthew a Jew ... they came up with greco-Roman interpretations of the Jewish scriptures?

I see ...

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Interesting ... so Paul a Jew, Peter a Jew, Matthew a Jew ... they came up with greco-Roman interpretations of the Jewish scriptures?

I see ...

First, Paul, Peter, and Matthew are not responsible for developing Christianity as a religion. They collectively began the conversation - they did not end it. However "Jewish" their writings were, they did not exist in a Jewish context, but a rapidly changing Hellenistic-Roman one. There was a deep rift in earliest Christianities that Paul both created and tried to heal -- and he failed. So did the Gospels, but to a far lesser degree.

Now Paul was the most "Roman" of all of them. He letters betray at least a basic Greek education and perhaps a full one. He uses Greek epistolary theory, technical philosophical terms, and rhetoric (styles of persuasion).

 

[Monk Of Reason]

In thinking about ancient and modern forms of Christianity, many Christians characterize other religions as "pagan." This word came into use because Christianity was a city religion and "pagan" refered to the uneducated and irreligious hillbillies. But "pagan" is now used to refer to any religion other than Christianity.

In our thinking and reflection about Christianity, we need to realize that Christianity is the product of pagan religion and philosophy [the fusion of Greco-Roman culture and a sylized interpretation of Jewish texts]; therefore we should consider it just as pagan as other religions.

To go further, it is a fusion of Greco-Roman culture and stylized interpretation of Jewish texts with heavy influence from Egyptian Mythology (though this one applies to Judaism as well) and then after its inception it has constantly evolved and absorbed other Pagan religions as well slowly changing the flavor of the stew. And then it breaks apart into multiple different types of its own umbrella which then change with the ebb and flow of time.

Now we are starting to see a lot of Liberal Christianity affected by Eastern religion as well. It is mind boggling to see how many Christians believe in Karma and spiritual healing of Yoga. Or zen, ect.

 

[sojourner]

In thinking about ancient and modern forms of Christianity, many Christians characterize other religions as "pagan." This word came into use because Christianity was a city religion and "pagan" refered to the uneducated and irreligious hillbillies. But "pagan" is now used to refer to any religion other than Christianity.

In our thinking and reflection about Christianity, we need to realize that Christianity is the product of pagan religion and philosophy [the fusion of Greco-Roman culture and a sylized interpretation of Jewish texts]; therefore we should consider it just as pagan as other religions.

Let's also consider that (at least according to Brandon Scott) the Q source is highly Galilean (rural) in flavor, if not in origin. And that, according to GMark, Jesus becomes less powerful the closer he gets to the city (Jerusalem). Therefore, if Paganism is a rural religion, many of Jesus' quotes are also from rural (Pagan) source material.

 

[Estro Felino]

In thinking about ancient and modern forms of Christianity, many Christians characterize other religions as "pagan." This word came into use because Christianity was a city religion and "pagan" refered to the uneducated and irreligious hillbillies. But "pagan" is now used to refer to any religion other than Christianity.

In our thinking and reflection about Christianity, we need to realize that Christianity is the product of pagan religion and philosophy [the fusion of Greco-Roman culture and a sylized interpretation of Jewish texts]; therefore we should consider it just as pagan as other religions.

Precisely.
I totally agree with this reasoning. In fact Christianity has never rejected the Neoplatonic philosophy; in other words, Christians took lots of positive values and principles from the Greek and Roman religions and harmonized them with the Judaic tradition.
A Christian totally rejects the connection between nationality and religion. Christianity is a universal religion. Let's not forget that the word for church was ekklisìa,(Gr= assembly) .and the assembly is the symbol of democracy, a concept invented by pagans

I can give you a practical example: me. I was pagan for a long period of my life (mine was the Greek religion). When I converted to Christianity, I didn't absolutely reject any of the positive values I had learned from paganism. It was a natural spontaneous process: exactly as when ancient Greeks converted to Christianity in the first century AD

 

[outhouse]

Now Paul was the most "Roman" of all of them. He letters betray at least a basic Greek education and perhaps a full one. He uses Greek epistolary theory, technical philosophical terms, and rhetoric (styles of persuasion).

Im not sure gmarks compilation was any less Roman, just less educated.


Luke/Acts author, reading like a Greek novel could have been very similar to Paul.

Gmatthew still copied Gmark so that community could very well be very Roman having more serious Roman Proselytes that wanted to hold on to traditional Judaism tighter.

I wish there was a way to know more, so it wasn't just a guess in the dark