Pagan Symbols and Customs adopted by Christianity

[hazlnut]

Many of today's customs used by Christians can be traced back to the 4th century, when Constantine permitted the process of converting the official religion of the Roman Empire from Paganism to Christianity.

Note the word 'converting'. Changing the sign on the door is a lot easier, quicker and cheaper than changing the whole building. Christianity was modelled on many customs that were familiar and acceptable to Jews and Pagans at that time, when religion and belief were intertwined with superstition.

Even the word 'Christian' was coined by Pagans.

The first followers of Christ borrowed Jewish terms to describe themselves, such as 'believers' and 'disciples' (but in Hebrew, of course). Two of the early missionaries, Paul and Barnabas, went to work spreading the Gospel in the Pagan metropolis of Antioch, where the locals derisively called them 'Christians'


Antiquities p.005


Pagan crosses

The cross is used extensively in black magic and in innumerable religions.

The Cross – an Emblem of Christianity explains how this simplest of symbols has evolved from its Pagan roots. We explain how it has caused as much grief as it has comforted. A torture instrument, a threat to entire civilizations, and yet used as jewellery and sometimes worshipped. It has associations with illegal psychedelic drugs, BSE and bird flu, Prince Harry, hatred and despair, love, valour and heroism, World War I, World War II, the Crusades, the invasion of Iraq (again), mythology, Satan, and salvation.

Pagan clothing

Vestments and fancy garb do not make the wearer a priest. They have always been little more than symbols of status; a tradition passed down through civilization, and added to along the way. Look at the ecclesiastical finery sported by high churches – those that emphasize formality and resist modernisation.

Church buildings and Pagan temples

The Early Church was not so wealthy, neither were Christians. The disciples were fishermen, artisans and of the peasant class; not wealthy princes. Even if they wanted to build churches of their own design, there was no money for such a luxury. Therefore existing buildings were adapted.

Candles

Oil lamps were in use before Christianity, not only to replace darkness with light, but also to repel dark spirits. Only a superstition, yet quite natural and understandable behaviour. As children we prefer the light on at night to keep the bogeyman away.

Bells and bell ringing

Bells as religious symbolism began in Paganism and has since been adopted by the Church.

Incense

Originally used to repel bad smells, the aroma from burning resin was used to dispel bad spirits.

Tonsure

The shaven head sported by monks and clerics of certain religious orders for hundreds of years has a simple origin.

Vow of Silence

Pythagoreans from around 530 B.C. took the practice of silence seriously; breaking the vow of silence carried the death penalty. And the priestess-guardians of the sacred Roman fire, the Vestal Virgins, lived in silence for years at a time.

Vidar, son of Odin, was the Norse god of silence and there was a minor Roman goddess of silence called Muta, from which we get the word 'mute'.

Chants

Songs in the form of chants, poems, and later as hymns, cantatas, anthems, oratorios or motets, are useful mnemonic methods. Singing makes us feel hearty and that's why we sing; whether it's a chant or any other form. Singing helps us feel young and energetic, even if we're not very proficient. Singing helps relieve tension. Singing is therapeutic. Communal singing turns an audience into participants.

Pagans used singing as part of their worship too. Like the word Glory, chants are not even restricted to religion. They are used by squads of jogging soldiers, team-sports players in training, supporters at a match, cheerleaders, supporters at a political convention, children reciting nursery rhymes and the alphabet song.

One particular type of Christian hymn is called a carol, which is sung at Christmas time; another custom with Pagan roots:

Christmas

Christmas is one of the biggest events on the Christian calendar, yet the customs we associate with the event are steeped in Paganism.

Prayer posture and words

A prayer is a collection of words spoken aloud or silently, to our god. Man has prayed to the nature gods for millennia; it was certainly not a new invention for Christianity. And it was natural, like all the things listed above, for Christians to adopt this form of communication with their God.

Amen

Even Amen, the very last word in the Bible, has Pagan roots. Yet Christians, Jews and Muslims invariably end their prayers, Scripture readings, and hymns by saying Amen as an expression of concurrence.


These are but a few...

Feel free to add to the list.

 

[Chuckt]

Hazelnut,

Do you have an original idea ever?

Google it if you do because someone else has thought of it before.

Correlation does not prove causation.

And few people own ideas anymore unless you are the patent office and then Apple and Samsung still fight.

Chuck

 

[aris2chat]

Many of today's customs used by Christians can be traced back to the 4th century, when Constantine permitted the process of converting the official religion of the Roman Empire from Paganism to Christianity.

Note the word 'converting'. Changing the sign on the door is a lot easier, quicker and cheaper than changing the whole building. Christianity was modelled on many customs that were familiar and acceptable to Jews and Pagans at that time, when religion and belief were intertwined with superstition.

Even the word 'Christian' was coined by Pagans.

The first followers of Christ borrowed Jewish terms to describe themselves, such as 'believers' and 'disciples' (but in Hebrew, of course). Two of the early missionaries, Paul and Barnabas, went to work spreading the Gospel in the Pagan metropolis of Antioch, where the locals derisively called them 'Christians'


Antiquities p.005


Pagan crosses

The cross is used extensively in black magic and in innumerable religions.

The Cross – an Emblem of Christianity explains how this simplest of symbols has evolved from its Pagan roots. We explain how it has caused as much grief as it has comforted. A torture instrument, a threat to entire civilizations, and yet used as jewellery and sometimes worshipped. It has associations with illegal psychedelic drugs, BSE and bird flu, Prince Harry, hatred and despair, love, valour and heroism, World War I, World War II, the Crusades, the invasion of Iraq (again), mythology, Satan, and salvation.

Pagan clothing

Vestments and fancy garb do not make the wearer a priest. They have always been little more than symbols of status; a tradition passed down through civilization, and added to along the way. Look at the ecclesiastical finery sported by high churches – those that emphasize formality and resist modernisation.

Church buildings and Pagan temples

The Early Church was not so wealthy, neither were Christians. The disciples were fishermen, artisans and of the peasant class; not wealthy princes. Even if they wanted to build churches of their own design, there was no money for such a luxury. Therefore existing buildings were adapted.

Candles

Oil lamps were in use before Christianity, not only to replace darkness with light, but also to repel dark spirits. Only a superstition, yet quite natural and understandable behaviour. As children we prefer the light on at night to keep the bogeyman away.

Bells and bell ringing

Bells as religious symbolism began in Paganism and has since been adopted by the Church.

Incense

Originally used to repel bad smells, the aroma from burning resin was used to dispel bad spirits.

Tonsure

The shaven head sported by monks and clerics of certain religious orders for hundreds of years has a simple origin.

Vow of Silence

Pythagoreans from around 530 B.C. took the practice of silence seriously; breaking the vow of silence carried the death penalty. And the priestess-guardians of the sacred Roman fire, the Vestal Virgins, lived in silence for years at a time.

Vidar, son of Odin, was the Norse god of silence and there was a minor Roman goddess of silence called Muta, from which we get the word 'mute'.

Chants

Songs in the form of chants, poems, and later as hymns, cantatas, anthems, oratorios or motets, are useful mnemonic methods. Singing makes us feel hearty and that's why we sing; whether it's a chant or any other form. Singing helps us feel young and energetic, even if we're not very proficient. Singing helps relieve tension. Singing is therapeutic. Communal singing turns an audience into participants.

Pagans used singing as part of their worship too. Like the word Glory, chants are not even restricted to religion. They are used by squads of jogging soldiers, team-sports players in training, supporters at a match, cheerleaders, supporters at a political convention, children reciting nursery rhymes and the alphabet song.

One particular type of Christian hymn is called a carol, which is sung at Christmas time; another custom with Pagan roots:

Christmas

Christmas is one of the biggest events on the Christian calendar, yet the customs we associate with the event are steeped in Paganism.

Prayer posture and words

A prayer is a collection of words spoken aloud or silently, to our god. Man has prayed to the nature gods for millennia; it was certainly not a new invention for Christianity. And it was natural, like all the things listed above, for Christians to adopt this form of communication with their God.

Amen

Even Amen, the very last word in the Bible, has Pagan roots. Yet Christians, Jews and Muslims invariably end their prayers, Scripture readings, and hymns by saying Amen as an expression of concurrence.


These are but a few...

Feel free to add to the list.

The mythology, holy days, symbols, etc. all have a basis in paganism and other religions of the region.
Much of the mythology also has a basis in the constellation. Early man could look at the stars and "read" the stories around an open fire.
Christianity borrows from those that came before, and others have borrowed from christianity, so it has always been as we evolve

 

[The Irish Ram]

Haz, just how many bells did Christ walk around ringing? Find the passage in the Bible where Christ and His family sat around the fire roasting chestnuts and singing Christmas carols.......

 

[Luddly Neddite]

Haz, just how many bells did Christ walk around ringing? Find the passage in the Bible where Christ and His family sat around the fire roasting chestnuts and singing Christmas carols.......

Can you name any religion that does what Jesus or Christ did? Saying that jesus or Christ didn't ring bells, burn incense or have magic water really does not address the point.

The OP is correct.

Modern day Catholicism was borne of Pagan beliefs and as a way of squashing Pagans' beliefs. I'd have to read the OP again to know if he mentioned this but the Pagan workers even worked their own idols and icons into the church designs.

 

[The Irish Ram]

The OP is wrong. Christianity is modeled after Christ. Had Constantine never been born, it would still be modeled after Christ.
A church in town has a party for kids on Halloween. They have renamed it Harvest day instead. Christians can celebrate Christ on Halloween or Harvest day, on the 24 of Dec. or the 25, or the 26th.
No pagan rituals necessary. That some have chosen to replace pagan holidays with Christ is of no consequence to Christ. Celebrate Him today. There must be a pagan ritual out there somewhere we can usurp......

 

[JakeStarkey]

Pagan Symbols and Customs adopted by Christianity

Everybody knows that.

 

[hazlnut]

Haz, just how many bells did Christ walk around ringing? Find the passage in the Bible where Christ and His family sat around the fire roasting chestnuts and singing Christmas carols.......

Missing the point - the modern practice of Christianity, Christmas, Easter, symbols and practices all borrow heavily from paganism.

Many modern evangelicals are taught such a distorted history of Christianity and how the Bible was written and edited -- it's important that when practicing a religion you understand the origins of the traditions.

 

[PostmodernProph]

Many of today's customs used by Christians can be traced back to the 4th century, when Constantine permitted the process of converting the official religion of the Roman Empire from Paganism to Christianity.

Note the word 'converting'. Changing the sign on the door is a lot easier, quicker and cheaper than changing the whole building. Christianity was modelled on many customs that were familiar and acceptable to Jews and Pagans at that time, when religion and belief were intertwined with superstition.

Even the word 'Christian' was coined by Pagans.

The first followers of Christ borrowed Jewish terms to describe themselves, such as 'believers' and 'disciples' (but in Hebrew, of course). Two of the early missionaries, Paul and Barnabas, went to work spreading the Gospel in the Pagan metropolis of Antioch, where the locals derisively called them 'Christians'


Antiquities p.005


Pagan crosses

The cross is used extensively in black magic and in innumerable religions.

The Cross – an Emblem of Christianity explains how this simplest of symbols has evolved from its Pagan roots. We explain how it has caused as much grief as it has comforted. A torture instrument, a threat to entire civilizations, and yet used as jewellery and sometimes worshipped. It has associations with illegal psychedelic drugs, BSE and bird flu, Prince Harry, hatred and despair, love, valour and heroism, World War I, World War II, the Crusades, the invasion of Iraq (again), mythology, Satan, and salvation.

Pagan clothing

Vestments and fancy garb do not make the wearer a priest. They have always been little more than symbols of status; a tradition passed down through civilization, and added to along the way. Look at the ecclesiastical finery sported by high churches – those that emphasize formality and resist modernisation.

Church buildings and Pagan temples

The Early Church was not so wealthy, neither were Christians. The disciples were fishermen, artisans and of the peasant class; not wealthy princes. Even if they wanted to build churches of their own design, there was no money for such a luxury. Therefore existing buildings were adapted.

Candles

Oil lamps were in use before Christianity, not only to replace darkness with light, but also to repel dark spirits. Only a superstition, yet quite natural and understandable behaviour. As children we prefer the light on at night to keep the bogeyman away.

Bells and bell ringing

Bells as religious symbolism began in Paganism and has since been adopted by the Church.

Incense

Originally used to repel bad smells, the aroma from burning resin was used to dispel bad spirits.

Tonsure

The shaven head sported by monks and clerics of certain religious orders for hundreds of years has a simple origin.

Vow of Silence

Pythagoreans from around 530 B.C. took the practice of silence seriously; breaking the vow of silence carried the death penalty. And the priestess-guardians of the sacred Roman fire, the Vestal Virgins, lived in silence for years at a time.

Vidar, son of Odin, was the Norse god of silence and there was a minor Roman goddess of silence called Muta, from which we get the word 'mute'.

Chants

Songs in the form of chants, poems, and later as hymns, cantatas, anthems, oratorios or motets, are useful mnemonic methods. Singing makes us feel hearty and that's why we sing; whether it's a chant or any other form. Singing helps us feel young and energetic, even if we're not very proficient. Singing helps relieve tension. Singing is therapeutic. Communal singing turns an audience into participants.

Pagans used singing as part of their worship too. Like the word Glory, chants are not even restricted to religion. They are used by squads of jogging soldiers, team-sports players in training, supporters at a match, cheerleaders, supporters at a political convention, children reciting nursery rhymes and the alphabet song.

One particular type of Christian hymn is called a carol, which is sung at Christmas time; another custom with Pagan roots:

Christmas

Christmas is one of the biggest events on the Christian calendar, yet the customs we associate with the event are steeped in Paganism.

Prayer posture and words

A prayer is a collection of words spoken aloud or silently, to our god. Man has prayed to the nature gods for millennia; it was certainly not a new invention for Christianity. And it was natural, like all the things listed above, for Christians to adopt this form of communication with their God.

Amen

Even Amen, the very last word in the Bible, has Pagan roots. Yet Christians, Jews and Muslims invariably end their prayers, Scripture readings, and hymns by saying Amen as an expression of concurrence.


These are but a few...

Feel free to add to the list.

lol.....and yet, ignorance continues to be the invention of secularism.....

I suggest you avoid the atheistRus websites if you desire to obtain accurate information.....

by the way, nobody has ever claimed Christianity invented candles....

 

[westwall]

Many of today's customs used by Christians can be traced back to the 4th century, when Constantine permitted the process of converting the official religion of the Roman Empire from Paganism to Christianity.

Note the word 'converting'. Changing the sign on the door is a lot easier, quicker and cheaper than changing the whole building. Christianity was modelled on many customs that were familiar and acceptable to Jews and Pagans at that time, when religion and belief were intertwined with superstition.

Even the word 'Christian' was coined by Pagans.

The first followers of Christ borrowed Jewish terms to describe themselves, such as 'believers' and 'disciples' (but in Hebrew, of course). Two of the early missionaries, Paul and Barnabas, went to work spreading the Gospel in the Pagan metropolis of Antioch, where the locals derisively called them 'Christians'


Antiquities p.005


Pagan crosses

The cross is used extensively in black magic and in innumerable religions.

The Cross – an Emblem of Christianity explains how this simplest of symbols has evolved from its Pagan roots. We explain how it has caused as much grief as it has comforted. A torture instrument, a threat to entire civilizations, and yet used as jewellery and sometimes worshipped. It has associations with illegal psychedelic drugs, BSE and bird flu, Prince Harry, hatred and despair, love, valour and heroism, World War I, World War II, the Crusades, the invasion of Iraq (again), mythology, Satan, and salvation.

Pagan clothing

Vestments and fancy garb do not make the wearer a priest. They have always been little more than symbols of status; a tradition passed down through civilization, and added to along the way. Look at the ecclesiastical finery sported by high churches – those that emphasize formality and resist modernisation.

Church buildings and Pagan temples

The Early Church was not so wealthy, neither were Christians. The disciples were fishermen, artisans and of the peasant class; not wealthy princes. Even if they wanted to build churches of their own design, there was no money for such a luxury. Therefore existing buildings were adapted.

Candles

Oil lamps were in use before Christianity, not only to replace darkness with light, but also to repel dark spirits. Only a superstition, yet quite natural and understandable behaviour. As children we prefer the light on at night to keep the bogeyman away.

Bells and bell ringing

Bells as religious symbolism began in Paganism and has since been adopted by the Church.

Incense

Originally used to repel bad smells, the aroma from burning resin was used to dispel bad spirits.

Tonsure

The shaven head sported by monks and clerics of certain religious orders for hundreds of years has a simple origin.

Vow of Silence

Pythagoreans from around 530 B.C. took the practice of silence seriously; breaking the vow of silence carried the death penalty. And the priestess-guardians of the sacred Roman fire, the Vestal Virgins, lived in silence for years at a time.

Vidar, son of Odin, was the Norse god of silence and there was a minor Roman goddess of silence called Muta, from which we get the word 'mute'.

Chants

Songs in the form of chants, poems, and later as hymns, cantatas, anthems, oratorios or motets, are useful mnemonic methods. Singing makes us feel hearty and that's why we sing; whether it's a chant or any other form. Singing helps us feel young and energetic, even if we're not very proficient. Singing helps relieve tension. Singing is therapeutic. Communal singing turns an audience into participants.

Pagans used singing as part of their worship too. Like the word Glory, chants are not even restricted to religion. They are used by squads of jogging soldiers, team-sports players in training, supporters at a match, cheerleaders, supporters at a political convention, children reciting nursery rhymes and the alphabet song.

One particular type of Christian hymn is called a carol, which is sung at Christmas time; another custom with Pagan roots:

Christmas

Christmas is one of the biggest events on the Christian calendar, yet the customs we associate with the event are steeped in Paganism.

Prayer posture and words

A prayer is a collection of words spoken aloud or silently, to our god. Man has prayed to the nature gods for millennia; it was certainly not a new invention for Christianity. And it was natural, like all the things listed above, for Christians to adopt this form of communication with their God.

Amen

Even Amen, the very last word in the Bible, has Pagan roots. Yet Christians, Jews and Muslims invariably end their prayers, Scripture readings, and hymns by saying Amen as an expression of concurrence.


These are but a few...

Feel free to add to the list.

You're only NOW learning this? What an ignorant jackass! For hecks sake, the Catholics acknowledge this and have done so for over 1800 years! Where the hell have you been? Under a damned rock?

 

[PostmodernProph]

Haz, just how many bells did Christ walk around ringing? Find the passage in the Bible where Christ and His family sat around the fire roasting chestnuts and singing Christmas carols.......

Can you name any religion that does what Jesus or Christ did?

no...that's why its idiotic to start a thread that claims Christianity is a copycat religion because they had candles and buildings and bells....recognize that Christianity is unique BECAUSE of what Christ did.....

 

[PostmodernProph]

Pagan Symbols and Customs adopted by Christianity

Everybody knows that.

sure....Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny....all those "Christian" symbols.....lol.......

 

[shart_attack]

Hazelnut,

Do you have an original idea ever?

Google it if you do because someone else has thought of it before.

Correlation does not prove causation.

And few people own ideas anymore unless you are the patent office and then Apple and Samsung still fight.

Chuck

QFT

 

[The Irish Ram]

Pagan Symbols and Customs adopted by Christianity

Everybody knows that.

When Christ adopts them, let me know.

 

[The Irish Ram]

Haz, just how many bells did Christ walk around ringing? Find the passage in the Bible where Christ and His family sat around the fire roasting chestnuts and singing Christmas carols.......

Missing the point - the modern practice of Christianity, Christmas, Easter, symbols and practices all borrow heavily from paganism.

Many modern evangelicals are taught such a distorted history of Christianity and how the Bible was written and edited -- it's important that when practicing a religion you understand the origins of the traditions.

They reformed the practices, as in re-formed, not borrowed.

Most modern evangelicals do their own homework during a lifetime of study and are well versed on the origin of the Bible, the originals, the transfers to other languages, and are fully aware of any rewrites. Understanding is important when practicing anything. Preachers are no different.

 

[September]

Paganism developed its Sabbats/ holidays (the Wheel of the Year) in accordance with significant astronomical events that happen around the same time every year... The Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox, the Winter Solstice, and their midpoints.

Most great civilizations/ cultures/ religions have some kind of important holidays on these dates that help them accurately observe the annual seasonal changes of the Earth, which is vital to many practices, and has been reflected in many of the greatest archeological monuments... helping humans study the Earth and the stars since ancient times.

Most religions and the practice of Magick/ Witchcraft will always have a great many things in common- like rituals, celebrations, worship/ prayer/ communing with the God(s), magickal language, magickal symbols, magickal Holy books/ sacred texts/ Grimoires, annual celebrations, sacrifice, interaction with supernatural powers, tradition, drawing power from our subconscious... the list goes on. These are common ways how humans have practiced and developed their spirituality for ages, and many of the ways that they always will.

 

[AVG-JOE]

The OP is wrong. Christianity is modeled after Christ. Had Constantine never been born, it would still be modeled after Christ.
A church in town has a party for kids on Halloween. They have renamed it Harvest day instead. Christians can celebrate Christ on Halloween or Harvest day, on the 24 of Dec. or the 25, or the 26th.
No pagan rituals necessary. That some have chosen to replace pagan holidays with Christ is of no consequence to Christ. Celebrate Him today. There must be a pagan ritual out there somewhere we can usurp......

Modeled by whom, using what materials?



My opinion? The Church was modeled by people using Time and the resources, including human resources, available when and where the work was done.

It's a fool who believes that no part of The Church, both Protestant and Catholic, was built without spilling blood and using slaves.

 

[PostmodernProph]

The OP is wrong. Christianity is modeled after Christ. Had Constantine never been born, it would still be modeled after Christ.
A church in town has a party for kids on Halloween. They have renamed it Harvest day instead. Christians can celebrate Christ on Halloween or Harvest day, on the 24 of Dec. or the 25, or the 26th.
No pagan rituals necessary. That some have chosen to replace pagan holidays with Christ is of no consequence to Christ. Celebrate Him today. There must be a pagan ritual out there somewhere we can usurp......

Modeled by whom, using what materials?



My opinion? The Church was modeled by people using Time and the resources, including human resources, available when and where the work was done.

It's a fool who believes that no part of The Church, both Protestant and Catholic, was built without spilling blood and using slaves.

????....well sorry, but my church is on a corner four blocks from my house.....which slaves were used to build it?......

 

[sealybobo]

Pagan Symbols and Customs adopted by Christianity

Everybody knows that.

When Christ adopts them, let me know.

There is no evidence to support any of the claims made in the Bible concerning the existence of a god. Any ‘evidence’ proposed by theists to support the Bible’s various historical and supernatural claims is non-existent at best, manufactured at worst.

The Bible is not self-authenticating; it is simply one of many religious texts. Like those others, it itself constitutes no evidence for the existence of a god. Its florid prose and fanciful content do not legitimise it nor distinguish it from other ancient works of literature.

The Bible is historically inaccurate, factually incorrect, inconsistent and contradictory. It was artificially constructed by a group of men in antiquity and is poorly translated, heavily altered and selectively interpreted. Entire sections of the text have been redacted over time.

“Properly read, the bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived.” – Isaac Asimov
Biblical Jesus was real.

There is no contemporary evidence for Jesus’ existence or the Bible’s account of his life; no artefacts, dwellings, works of carpentry, self-written manuscripts, court records, eyewitness testimony, official diaries, birth records, reflections on his significance or written disputes about his teachings. Nothing survives from the time in which he is said to have lived.

All historical references to Jesus derive from hearsay accounts written decades or centuries after his supposed death. These historical references generally refer to early Christians rather than a historical Jesus and, in some cases, directly contradict the Gospels or were deliberately manufactured.

The Gospels themselves contradict one-another on many key events and were constructed by unknown authors up to a century after the events they describe are said to have occurred. They are not eyewitness accounts. The New Testament, as a whole, contains many internal inconsistencies as a result of its piecemeal construction and is factually incorrect on several historical claims, such as the early existence of Nazareth, the reign of Herod and the Roman census. Like the Old Testament, it too has had entire books and sections redacted.

The Biblical account of Jesus has striking similarities with other mythologies and texts and many of his supposed teachings existed prior to his time. It is likely the character was either partly or entirely invented by competing first century messianic cults from an amalgamation of Greco-Roman, Egyptian and Judeo-Apocalyptic myths and prophecies.

Even if Jesus’ existence could be established, this would in no way validate Christian theology or any element of the story portrayed in the Bible, such as the performance of miracles or the resurrection. Simply because it is conceivable a heretical Jewish preacher named Yeshua lived circa 30 AD, had followers and was executed, does not imply the son of a god walked the Earth at that time.

 

[sealybobo]

The OP is wrong. Christianity is modeled after Christ. Had Constantine never been born, it would still be modeled after Christ.
A church in town has a party for kids on Halloween. They have renamed it Harvest day instead. Christians can celebrate Christ on Halloween or Harvest day, on the 24 of Dec. or the 25, or the 26th.
No pagan rituals necessary. That some have chosen to replace pagan holidays with Christ is of no consequence to Christ. Celebrate Him today. There must be a pagan ritual out there somewhere we can usurp......

Modeled by whom, using what materials?



My opinion? The Church was modeled by people using Time and the resources, including human resources, available when and where the work was done.

It's a fool who believes that no part of The Church, both Protestant and Catholic, was built without spilling blood and using slaves.

????....well sorry, but my church is on a corner four blocks from my house.....which slaves were used to build it?......

Christianity, Muslims & Jews all come from Abraham supposedly. Before the new testament there was the old testament. The old testament was ok with slavery. So, if your religion is a spin off of jewdism, and Jewdism was made up/invented by the people of that time, then most likely so was the new testament.