I am Wiccan, which is a religion of present day witchcraft. My mother’s family is shaman; my father’s side of the family is Roman Catholic. Wicca has many divisions and subdivisions from Quaker Wicca to Hoodoo Wicca and from Shaman Wicca to Pagan Wicca. It’s as though Wicca absorbed, immersed, other religions and cultural traits. But, looking at Christianity, it seems like that religion absorbed other religions and cultural traits as well.
Such reflection was noted in Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol with examples that were really shocking to read. “Don’t tell anyone, but on the pagan day of the sun god Ra, I kneel at the foot of an ancient instrument of torture and consume ritualistic symbols of blood and flesh…And if any of you care to join me, come to the Harvard chapel on Sunday, kneel beneath the crucifix, and take Holy Communion.”
A conquering religion often retains some of the subjugated religion’s traditions to make the conversion easier. An example of such blending is hidden in the text of Beowulf by the Beowulf Poet (translated by Burton Raffel). From the beginning, Beowulf held Pagan and Christian traditions. “There in the harbor was a ring-prowed fighting ship…and there they brought the beloved body of their ring-giving lord…They heaped up treasures…then sadly let the water pull at the ship, watched it slowly sliding to where neither rulers so nor heroes nor anyone can say whose hands opened to take that motionless cargo” (Line 32-Line 52, Prologue).
To send their king out to sea with treasure on a ship lit on fire, to send him to the afterlife in water and fire…it gives the impression to be more Pagan based upon my research of the religion. When things became bleak, “…sometimes they sacrificed to the old stone gods, made...
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...after death. Note the contrasting between Christian holidays and Pagan ones. Note their wavering loyalty between Almighty God and ‘the old stone gods’ that they sacrificed to and made heathen vows to when things became desolate. In conclusion, Christianity is made up of more than its own traditions and, back then, the transition sometimes faltered. Sometimes, people would fall back to what they knew before: Paganism.
Works Cited
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("Christmas." Date of Christmas. 17 Mar 2004: n. page. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. )
One of Magliocco's main arguments is that these Neo-Pagan cults all have roots in both anthropology and folklore in their early development. Magliocco offers a detailed historical analysis and examines influences found all the way back to classical traditions. She concludes this analysis by bringing her reader back to the contemporary and offers us insight into how both the fields of anthropology and folklore have helped shape Neo-Paganism into what it has become today.
To help convert the Norse to Christian ways, many pre-existing Norse practices and customs were converted into Christian practices, such as the Christening of a child.
When in Seminary I did a research paper on the Roman Emperor Julian. He became known as “Julian the Apostate.” Although he had been reared Christian, and was assumed to be Christian, when he became Emperor he attempted to re-introduce “paganism,” or better put, the Traditional religion with its temples, sacrifices, priests, and priestesses. I reasoned in the paper that it was easy for Christians to revert to paganism because I was not sure how deep the Christian faith had taken root. I also reasoned that if Julian had not been defeated in battle by the Sassanians, the Roman Empire could have possibly reverted to paganism, and modern Europe might have a religious face of modern India with its Hinduism and many Temples with many gods.
In the textbook, “Experiencing the World’s Religions”, writer Michael Molloy organizes the 1st chapter “Understanding Religion” to explain the term religion and people’s tendency to pursue a kind of religion through history. The writer starts with stating that as human beings we see ourselves perfect, but our perfectness is so small when it’s compared to how much more great the universe is. Since this is the situation, people start to ask such questions as what is the purpose of life, how is the universe created, or what will happen to us/the universe one day. Most religions provide answers to those kind of questions;therefore, through history people practice some form of religion. In other words, curiosity of people directs people to believe in a kind of religion because people not always are able to answer those questions through their ability to think, and believing in a religion just make it easier to answer their questions. Then, the writer expands the term religion by saying that there is not specific
This is what Constantine's Christianity was all about. St. Constantine was not only interested in the religion in Christianity, but also in politics. For example, if the god of the Christians were going to support St. Constantine win his battles, then he was going to worship the Christian god. Also, St. Constantine managed to successfully gather a lot of Christian advisors at his court to tell him what the Christian God wanted, so he could be sure to keep God on his side. One last subject of the matter is that St. Constantine did not receive a Baptism until his dying days. Constantine was a lifelong pagan who was baptized against his will on his deathbed. All in all, the Christianity faith is a hybrid religion, because of the result of St.
There was a huge influence of both paganism and christianity that can be noticed in Old English Poetry. To better understand these two values, let us explain what paganism and christianity mean. Christianity is a monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. As presented in New Thestament, Christians believe Jesus to be the Son of God and the Messiah prophesied in The Old Testament. Christianity began in the 1st century AD as a Jewish sect, and shares many religious texts with Judaism, specifically the Hebrew Bible, known to Christians as the Old Testament. The name Christian means belonging to Christ or partisan of Christ. As far as Paganism is concerned, the word comes from latin paganus and means a country dweller, rustic. It is a term which has come to connote a broad set of spiritual or cultic practises or beliefs of any folk religion a nd of historical and contemprorary polytheism religious in particular. (...) Characteristic of pagan traditions in the anscence of proselytisation and presence of a living mythology which explains religious practice. The term Pagan is a Christian adaptation of the goy of Judaism.
Celtic Paganism agrees that those around us should be treated and cared for the way we would want to be treated and cared for. This means stopping for the half beaten person on the side of the road and caring for the leper. Celtic Paganism and Christianity also agree that you should not lie, cheat, steal, murder, or lust after another person’s spouse, to name a few examples of behaviors. Christianity, however, argues there is only one God. Celtic Paganism argues there are many Gods and Goddesses. They do agree that there is a Trinity; however, Christianity believes their Trinity is God, Son, and Holy Spirit. Celtic Paganism has the Triple Goddess Trinity: Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Christianity also views witchcraft as something to be avoided because it does not reflect the Kingdom of God (Galations 5: 18-21). Celtic Paganism has spells and rituals (essentially prayers) that are performed to heal, bring abundance and wealth, and other whatever other desires a person may have. Celtic Paganism actively practices witchcraft. There are two big disagreements between Christianity and Celtic Paganism. Christianity feels that to be Pagan means they worship the Devil. This misconception, while understandable because the Christian faith feels any ungodly act is that of Satan, is a sore spot for many Pagans simply because they do not believe in the Christian Devil (Satan) and thus cannot be a devil worshipper. The pentagram is another sore spot between Christians and Celtic Pagans. Many Christians feel the pentagram is the sign of a satanic cult. However, the pentagram is simply a sign of protection for Pagans and can also be seen throughout Christianity as a symbol as
During the bronze age, the religion was not very different then what it is today. People believe in their god and worship them without any care as to what others thought. Most people believe what they were raised to believe; For example, someone raised in a cathol...
With the creation of the Christian religion followers of it obtained peace and tried their best to avoid the impurities of the world, interestingly enough, these “worldly” impurities consume the religion that is Paganism, which Christianity is heavily based off of. As time has progressed mankind has always searched for their purpose. Religion is often used to help one discover their ultimate purpose and give them guidelines to live a pure life by that may be amorphous without spiritual guidance. The religious fundamentals in Christianity help its believers to fathom why they are on this Earth and what their greater purpose is. Unknowingly, they develop their character through this religion without knowing that it is heavily stemmed from Paganism! Many practices, cultural elements, and habits in Paganism are strongly seen as ignoble by a majority of the modern Christians. A supreme amount of the text in the Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf help to entirely clarify the religious transitions that have occurred between both Paganism and Christianity. Throughout the ages, human beings used a religious power to help them evaluate their lives and wellbeing, specifically Paganism, Christianity; the transition from paganism to Christianity illustrates how much religion effects one’s life.
The pagan and Christ share a great deal in common, particularly from a metaphysical perspective, and the profound influence of pagan philosophy on Christian theology and mysticism is well documented. Nevertheless, this essay will attempt to identify a few basic differences between pagan and Christian religion and religious practice. We will begin with a brief overview the pagan, using Plotinus as our exemplar, and then we will offer an account of how Christ fundamentally differed from the pagans.
Even though the grandmother brings up Jesus a lot with The Misfit, she does not seem as deeply devoted in a religious way. The reader can suppose this due to the fact that she never mentions it in the story, and only brings Jesus when she is in need of savior. As she grew up religion had place in her live due to the social classes and rules of being a lady. This is because due to her notions, a respectable lady like her had to believe in a merciful God. Even supposing she was a lady the reader can notice that her faith is not very devoted. O'Connor provides us with an example in regardless to the grandmothers faith. When she writes,Well whatever faith she has is shattered by the fact that she is in shock of what is happening in her surroundings.
There has been a clash between secular thought and religion since its formation of societies in the classical age. Both have made an equal effect on the culture of each empire by influencing people to change their belief on the world. Major religions have made interactions, which affected some of their ideas for what they have become now. The major religions during the classical age are Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Daoism, and Zoroastrianism. These religions also have similarities and differences between each other in which it has involved them to what they've become. The major empires that have affected are Persia, India, China, Greece, and Rome. These empires' culture has influenced by religion to the extent where it has changed their lifestyle. Although secular thought has made a huge impact on the world, world religion has affected history since its reemergence of empires by exchanging culture of their ideas during the classical age.
A cult is a group of sadistic people that harm and take advantage of young, innocent people that are ripped away from their families and into a cold, dangerous world. There are many questions as to are cults really harmful. Cult leaders have many persuasive ways to trick you into believing their beliefs and their twisted ways of life. One common way that cult groups usually do is they pick out the most innocent and lonely victim. Then they make you feel comfortable and welcome and raise you on a pedestal, but then they start judging on how you choose to live and usually use religious ways to persuade you into their cult, tricking you into their society. Cult leaders frequently use brainwash and many other techniques that are psychologically damaging. In cults their victims are often tormented, brain washed, and eventually lose their sense of ownership to oneself. “Cults confine their members to follow strict rules that ultimately can cause loss of free choice or will, diminished intellectual ability, sense of humor, reduced capacity to form flexible and intimate relationships, poor judgment, physical deterioration, malnutrition, hallucinations, dissociation, guilt, identity diffusion, paranoia, and neurotic, psychotic, and suicidal tendencies.“(According to the Cult Information Centre) There are many cults and there are many different types of cults such as political, racial, and religion. Some of the most notorious clans that have had a major impact in our general public are the Manson Family, the Ku Klux Klan and the one most famous cult in our part of the Texas region was the Branch Davidians. All of these cults have one thing in common which is a belief that their cultures are more superior than other peers.
“In thinking about religion, it is easy to be confused about what it is.” (Smart, 1992) To combat this, Smart uses seven dimensions to define common characteristics of religion. Much of what will be explored will fit his dimensions. The practical and ritual dimension can been seen in all three religions through worship and rituals and patterns of behaviour. The latter are those acts that help the believer develop spiritual awareness or ethical insight, such as yoga or meditation in Buddhism and Hinduism. The experiential and emotional dimension of religion explains that religion feeds on human emotions and key events from history to illustrate this is, the enlightenment of the Buddha, or the visions of Muhammad. A person will not follow something without meaning or emotion driving it. The narrative or mythic dimension of religion refers to the use of story telling in religion. Typically, all faiths use stories to illustrate their beliefs or events in history, whether they might be of things to come, or like in this essay, stories of the Buddha, or Muhammad. The use of story telling is important as the stories are often based on accounts of history or documents that have been found. Story telling can enhance the believers faith and are often integrated into rituals. The doctrinal and philosophical dimension of religion talks about the importance of the holy books/ doctrines. Since the doctrines typically have an account of the leaders life, and the leaders are usually educated, believers read the doctrines to gain an insight into the leaders life; and thus strive to become more like them or abide by their teachings. The ethical and legal
Religion can be defined as a system of beliefs and worships which includes a code of ethics and a philosophy of life. Well over 90% of the world 's population adheres to some form of religion. The problem is that there are so many different religions. What is the right religion? What is true religion? The two most common ingredients in religions are rules and rituals. Some religions are essentially nothing more than a list of rules, dos and don 'ts, which a person must observe in order to be considered a faithful adherent of that religion, and thereby, right with the God of that religion. Two examples of rules-based religions are Islam and Judaism. Islam has its five pillars that must be observed.