The basic premise of this site is that early Christianity borrowed many of its ideas from the pagan religions found in various ancient Mediterranean societies. In support of this premise, the site gives numerous examples of beliefs and practices which Christianity shares with these pagan religions.
In a section called “Ancient Christs”, the author of the site points out similarities between beliefs about Jesus and beliefs about some other famous men of the ancient world. For example, various ancient historians described Alexander the Great, Scipio Africanus, and many Roman emperors as the son of a god and a virgin woman. Other “ancient Christs” described in the section include Glycon, Zalmoxis, Pythagoras, Kore, and Attis. But probably the closest match to Jesus was Apollonius of Tyrana. According to the site, the followers of Apollonius reported that he drove out demons, healed the sick, raised a dead girl to life, and was resurrected himself after being put to death by the Romans.
Another section of the site called “Pagan Ideas” describes specific concepts and ideas which Christianity may have borrowed from other religions. These include baptism, angels, prophesy, souls, belief in one god, virgin births, miracle healings, hell, demonic possession, and the possibility that a dead person can be resurrected back to life again.
In my opinion this site makes a good case for its premise that Christianity incorporates some pagan ideas. To visit the site, go to Pagan Origins of the Christ Myth.
Tags: Christianity, Religion
