Has Christianity been copying most of pagan mythology and then reworking to fit Christianity’s religion? [Spirituality & Religion]

I have a suspicion that they have. Because we have valkyries from Norse legend that have been copied and turned into angels, the devil from Christian who’s based off the horned god from Celtic myth.

Well the Christian priests weren’t very creative were they? At establishing Christianity myths.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

ms20182878 · 61-69, M

That's an interesting question. It isn't "Christianity" that copies. You're probably asking the question because there are places in the Biblical text where God seems to use worldly customs for His own purposes. You must always remember that He is redeeming and restoring this broken world, so it isn't surprising that He will pick up worldly ideas and customs that are fallen and broken... and redeem and restore them for His purposes. He uses images and ideas that His people can relate to, because they already see them in some way in the world around them.

Can I ask why you asked your question? Are you somehow believing that God should not interact with His Creation... because it has fallen? Or?

Ynotisay · M

@ms20182878 So "He" wasn't responsible for breaking this broken world? Sort of like how 10 people die in a mass shooting but the one who survives was clearly a miracle from god?

ms20182878 · 61-69, M

@Ynotisay No... God did not cause the broken world. His desire is that people love Him... but in order for there to be love, there needs to also be the option to not love... so He needed to allow free choice... free will. Many people don't like the consequences of having free will in this world... but they wouldn't much like to live in a world where there was no free will either.

Ynotisay · M

@ms20182878 Actually not too sure about the free will though. Seems there's a WHOLE lot of rules if you're looking for that eternal life thing.
Just wish persecuting those who don't think the same was one of those rules. Seems to me a whole lot of Christians who think that's their ticket. All that hate to serve their loving god. I don't know. Seems a little twisted.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Well, so much for free will, huh? Your steps are established already. No need to take responsibility for actions. God has it all figured out.

ms20182878 · 61-69, M

@Ynotisay Eternal life is pretty basic... John 3:16... available to all... 😊

Picking single verses out of context is no way to understand the Biblical text. Many people do that over and over and claim to have some sort of "gotcha" wisdom... proving this or that about the entire text and about God. You would never claim to understand any other text by reading a single sentence from it, would you? If you are trying to make the claim, based on Proverbs 16:9, that man has no free will... well... You should at least read the rest of Proverbs 19 and interpret it all together.

Ynotisay · M

@ms20182878 OK. Then why the hell don't the loving Christians put the "If you lie with a man" death sentence to bed? That would be a good place to start if one line of text really doesn't carry weight.

No need to respond. While you've been polite I'm QUITE sure you would find a workaround with that one line. It's the real twisted beauty of the Bible. There's ALWAYS an "out."
Thanks.

ms20182878 · 61-69, M

@Ynotisay Interestingly... you missed my point. Is there something that is too complicated about John 3:16... and the major theme of the Biblical text that a person is saved by grace through faith? Instead of accepting the free gift of eternal life, many people decide to reject that free gift outright and then argue over the points that might keep them separated from God... as if to tell God that His free gift wasn't good enough for them and He should do something more for them.

Ynotisay · M

@ms20182878 No man. You missed MY point. You said you shouldn't take out one line of text and run with it. Seems like that's EXACTLY what the loving Christians have done with the dirty, heathen homos. They hate and oppress those who I guess don't qualify as their "neighbor" they're supposed to love.

But you did prove my point. There's ALWAYS an out.

So you know man...I'm VERY comfortable with being an atheist so you're probably barking up the wrong tree.

Appreciate the even keel though. Good luck.

ms20182878 · 61-69, M

@Ynotisay You ask why "Christians" do this or do that... I personally don't care much what other "Christians" do or don't do. I want to know who God is and how he wants ME to live... and I do my best to live that way in this world. I have accepted His free gift of life. You have the choice to accept or reject Him... that's your choice. But just remember that however you choose, it doesn't change who He is in any way... or affect His existence in any way. It takes a lot of faith to be an atheist.

Ynotisay · M

@ms20182878 It takes zero faith to be an atheist. None. That's the difference.
I'm done now, ok? Thanks.