The Christian faith is a Frankenstein.

[Forward Union]

Many studies into the christian faith have drawn people to the conclusion that many of its main attractions are in fact stolen from other religions. This idea is based on the fundamental irony of Christianity; The Bible, was collated by the pagan Roman emperor; Constantine the Great. Well, almost pagan; He was a lifelong pagan who was baptised on his deathbed, too weak to protest. In Constantine's day, Rome's official religion was sun worship - the cult of Sol Invictus, or the Invincible Sun - and Constantine was its head priest.

This leads people to believe that constentines new christian roman empire (holy roman empire) founded itself on familiar symbology.

Some examples of this include; The Cross. It was adapted from the Egyptian Ank. The Egyptian symbol of protection.

http://www.wisegorilla.com/images/pagan/1-ank.jpg http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/carolrb/christianity/images/cross2.gif

The classical perception of God being an old man was taken from greek mythology (Zeus)

http://www.christusrex.org/www1/sistine/2-God.25.gif http://guidesmedia.ign.com/guides/15972/images/Zeus.JPG

The Halo comes from the Egyptian Sun disks...

http://faculty.mccfl.edu/frithl/HUM2210/Egypt/images/Halo_Egyptian_Ankh.jpg http://www.rickrichards.com/chakras/Jesus_halo2.jpg

Even thinks such as the first communion come from Aztec Sun rituals.

http://www.tldm.org/news2/First%20Communion%20-%20Girl%20copy.jpg http://www.fssd.org/PGS/PGS_Digital_Museum03/aztec_religious_rituals/images/image_009.gif

[redstar2000]

Your last example is pretty unlikely...early Christians had no way of knowing anything about Aztec rituals.

But it would not at all surprise me to learn that Christians borrowed the ritual from one of the numerous "mystery cults" found in the Roman Empire in that period.

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

[Sirion]

It's much more than that. The image of Satan comes from a roman "encyclopedia" where there are pictures of the people outside the empire with tails and horns.

The name Hell is much newer, taken from norse mythology.

You can find a lot, but it's late here, so I don't have the energy to look it up. www.wikipedia.net is a good place to start.

[Forward Union]

Originally posted by [email protected] 6 2005, 11:34 PM
Your last example is pretty unlikely...early Christians had no way of knowing anything about Aztec rituals.

But it would not at all surprise me to learn that Christians borrowed the ritual from one of the numerous "mystery cults" found in the Roman Empire in that period.


Yea though, apparently. Aztecs performed a similar ritual, the consumption of disk shaped bread symbolising the acceptance of the suns powers.

Its not too stretched to suggest that the Holy Communion was later moulded on this Aztec ritual. I believe early forms of communion simply involved the consumption of bread and wine, where did the idea of disk shaped bread originate?. Although, I agree its no the strongest point of my argument, as you said; early christians had no idea of Aztec rituals, and I have no real facts about the basis of communion.

I could look into it, but im not in the mood. You all get the general idea I was implying.

[Redvolution]

Originally posted by Additives [email protected] 6 2005, 02:55 PM
The Bible, was collated by the pagan Roman emperor; Constantine the Great. Well, almost pagan; He was a lifelong pagan who was baptised on his deathbed, too weak to protest.
Wait, I'm confused. I'm most likely misintrepreting what you said, so feel free to correct me.

Constantine was a lifelong pagan, who didn't want to become a Christian? "too weak to protest." Why would he go through the painstaking process of collecting all the books of the Bible if he didn't believe in it? Was he planning on engulfing it into his pagan religion? I'd like to see your source on the "too weak to protest" as well. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'd really be interested in seeing that page.

[Hieronymus Erasmus]

Well, this seems pretty clear to me. When people create themselves a new faith in their sparetime they will not create a new culture to. That should be like putting to much hay on your stick. ;)

[Forward Union]

Originally posted by [email protected] 7 2005, 04:35 PM




Wait, I'm confused. I'm most likely misintrepreting what you said, so feel free to correct me.

No, you weren't misinterpreting. But my understanding of this doesn't go too deep! so don't ask too many questions!


Constantine was a lifelong pagan, who didn't want to become a Christian? "too weak to protest." Why would he go through the painstaking process of collecting all the books of the Bible if he didn't believe in it?

From what I understand; he wanted to reunify the Roman empire, to bring peace to it, and re-establish it to the super power it once was. Christianity at this time was something more than a growing Cult, it had large influence within the roman 'empire' (and was a good tool for power). Im guessing that at the end of the day, he must have chosen Christianity to be the empires foundation...and it obviously worked, leading to the formation of the 1st reich.


Was he planning on engulfing it into his pagan religion? I'd like to see your source on the "too weak to protest" as well. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'd really be interested in seeing that page.

Probably a good idea to skim through this, it know more than me about constantines life.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_I_%28emperor%29#Constantine_And_Christ ianity

[Clarksist]

Well of course man.

Almost all religions are actually big lapses in creativity.

Just look at all the duplicate stories from religion to religion. Mainly, its so that you can convert people easier and get them to donate to YOU easier.

The crucifix isn't stolen from the Egyptians though, as many countries crucified people.

[violencia.Proletariat]

i thought the crucifix represented the one jesus was slung up on. by the way, i watched a show on this, and it is very impractical for the roman empire to make crucifixes as teh way the christians portray them, with a very large center pole, this would take many men to lift up and put in the ground. the actual crucifix jesus was slung up on was probably very small and in the shape of a capital t

[praxis1966]

Actually, from what I understand the image of Satan was taken from the image of the Pan, god of mischief and magic. Pan was rather fond of various forms of hedonism, according to myth, and had quite the cult following all those years ago. Early Christians renamed him Satan and demonized him as a way of trying to keep people from participating in objectionable behavior in an attempt to imitate him.

Furthermore, the birth story of Moses is a rather amusing one. It's a direct rip-off of the story Nebachudnezzar, the world's first known emporer, gave to his scribes as his own for placement in the Great Library.

Not only that, but take Dec. 25 for a good example of the early Church jacking other religions. It was also supposed to be the birthday of Zoroaster (god of the first monotheistic religion as far as I know), it offset the European pagan celebration of the winter solstice, as well as the Jewish celebration of Hannukah and the Roman celebration of Festivus (no, that's not just something George Costanza's father made up). The symbol of the Christmas tree and what is now known as the Easter Bunny were also taken from European paganism.

[LSD]

Not only that, but take Dec. 25 for a good example of the early Church jacking other religions. It was also supposed to be the birthday of Zoroaster

Mithra actually.

Mithraism was an offshoot of Zorosatrianism that worshiped the Sun god Mithra. It was particularly active in 1st and 2nd century Judea and was probably, along with Pharisee Judaism, the primary source of Christianity.

In fact much of the Catholic Church today, from hierarchy, organization, and position, down to the shape of the Pope's hat are borrowed from late Mithraic traditions.

[KC]

Actually, from what I understand the image of Satan was taken from the image of the Pan, god of mischief and magic. Pan was rather fond of various forms of hedonism, according to myth, and had quite the cult following all those years ago. Early Christians renamed him Satan and demonized him as a way of trying to keep people from participating in objectionable behavior in an attempt to imitate him.

Wasn't it so it would destroy paganism? Paganism was Catholicism's biggest threat back then, and they countered this threat by demonizing one of the most popular pagan gods.

http://www.sciencemusings.com/blog/images/PanGod.jpg

[praxis1966]

Mithra actually.

I was pretty sure it was Zoroaster, but I could be wrong I guess; wouldn't be the first time.


Wasn't it so it would destroy paganism? Paganism was Catholicism's biggest threat back then, and they countered this threat by demonizing one of the most popular pagan gods.

It was both, actually. The thievery was there, at any rate.

[LSD]

I was pretty sure it was Zoroaster, but I could be wrong I guess; wouldn't be the first time.

http://www.meta-religion.com/World_Religio...aism/mithra.htm (http://www.meta-religion.com/World_Religions/Ancient_religions/Mesopotamia/Mithraism/mithra.htm)