Can you see the pagan influences in the Xtian ...

There's a book called Pagan Christianity? written by Christian authors Frank Viola and George Barna that brings to light a lot pagan influences in the Church.  While it may step on some peoples toes anyways, its not written as an attack on Christianity, but to show Christians the roots of some church practices so they can grow from it.

I have read the book. It really explained to me a lot of what I have perceived to be wrong with the institutional church since I accepted Jesus. The "church" is intended to be the body of believers, in genuine relationships, fellowshipping and reaching out to a hurting world.

Yes, a lot of the rituals Christians practice have pagan roots, but what's more important to me is that rituals have become idols, replacing God and serving our brothers and sisters as our focus.

Hi.  This is a great question for Christians. I hope you get a lot of insightful responses, for all of us to read.

Personally, so far, I haven't picked up on much 'Paganism' in any of the Churches I've been in. I've spent most of my life in Wisconsin, (if that makes any difference).  I know good and well that Paganism exists, maybe I've been lucky.. Blessed.   I desided long ago that Organized Religion disturbed me, infact made me angry and uncomfortable.  I wasn't sure why at first, and then came to realized that certain scriptures were being abused and taken out of context, (and in my opinion), to simply seperate One Religion from All the Other seperated Religions)!  That seemed really ignorant to me.  I believe we all need to be United when it comes to Faith in God... Power in Numbers against the Enemy!! "A House Divided Will Fall"  Mark 3:24,25.

The only real issue I've ever had with the Teaching dumped in my head by a Church that I belonged to,  was about how God wants to "Financially" Prosper people. Some go on for hours!   That doesn't set well with me.  While I do believe in tithing, and that God does Bless us,.. personally, I Believe that God wants to prosper us in more of a Spiritual Sense than monetary.  And I believe that that is All that should be taught in Church.  Many Many Church goers would not agree with me in this day and hour!  I just know this teaching hurts God and hurts His People.. because I wonder how many people get on their face and Pray to God for this and that, to win the Lottery.. and never spend any real quality time with our Lord and Savior, learning what 'He wants from us'!!!   That is the only real 'Pagan influence' I have seen with any Christian Church I've been to.

In 46 BC, when the Roman "Julian Calendar" was adopted, December 24th was the shortest day of the year. Therefore, December 25th was the first annual day that daylight began to increase. Thus, the origin of the REBIRTH or Annual Birthday of the Invincible SUN.

In accordance with the Roman "Julian calendar," the "Saturnalia" festival appears to have taken place on December 17th; it was preceded by the "Consualia" near December 15th, and followed by the "Opalia" on December 19th. Together these pagan celebrations (Brumalia) typically lasted for a week, ending just before the late Roman Imperial Festival for "Sol Invictus" (Invincible Sun) on December 25th.

In 1582 AD. Roman catholic Pope Gregory the XIII caused the current "Gregorian Calendar" to be adopted, in order to eliminate the solar time shift error that was introduced over the time period of 1,629 years by the inaccurate "Julian Calendar."

By December 1582 AD the shortest day of the year on the inaccurate Roman "Julian Calendar" had shifted 12 days from Dec. 24, 46 BC. to Wednesday, Dec. 12, 1582 AD.

However, the Original December 25th 'Birth Date' was retained for ALL pagan Sun gods by the Roman "Saturnalia," "Consualia," "Opalia," and "Sol Invictus" traditions; which were now incorporated into the catholic "Twelve Days of Christ-mass."

On the new Roman catholic Gregorian calendar the shortest annual day was numerically shifted back 10 days to the 22nd of December, where it remains to this day; while the original order of the seven days of the week remained unchanged.

Therefore, Wednesday, December 12th, 1582 AD, became Wednesday, December 22nd, 1582 AD, and the True Sabbath Day (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) remained unchanged.

YHWH, the Only True G-d, would never have allowed The True Messiah (Yahshúa) to be born on or near the December 25th birthday period of the pagan Sun gods; during the time in which virgins were sacrificed, murder was commonplace, and orgies the norm. This would be an entirely unacceptable symbolic association of Good and evil.

Pope Gregory, also, changed the 1st day of the year from April 1st to January 1st., and in doing so caused those people who celebrated Spring as the beginning of months to be called "April Fools."

Here is an interesting eCard Link.

Sabbatarian Greetings  Click on the "UnXmas", "UnEaster", and "UnHalloween" thumbnails.