[metmom]

Second, your "incorporates pagan elements" charge is not well defined. If by "pagan elements" you mean "elements of human culture not Christian in origin," a reasonable response would be "of course we incorporate pagan elements, those which are not contrary to the Gospel." This means, non-Christian customs which,purified of error are rendered harmonious with faith in Jesus Christ.

Cynical Bear has posted many times a direct quote from Catholic sources which admit that pagan elements are incorporated into Catholicism.

I see no exceptions in Scripture where pagan elements are acceptable if they are *purified* or *sanctified* by the church.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"[Someone] posted many times a direct quote from Catholic sources which admit that pagan elements are incorporated into Catholicism."

I just said that. I's not a matter of "admitting" it. Nobody disputes it.

"I see no exceptions in Scripture where pagan elements are acceptable if they are *purified* or *sanctified* by the church.",p> You must have missed the part about St. Paul introducing, with approval, pagan verses into the New Testament.

Also many customs now practically universal among Christians, but found in pagan customs and not found in the New Testament. Such as having marriages in churches. I could multiply this example by dozens. "It really doesn’t matter to me what they say." That's the part I find most salient.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Typo. I didn’t mean to include, on the bottom, that quote written by somebody else.