[qam1]

Mithraism and Christianity formed about the same time.

Mithraism Predates Christianity http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithras

Mithras was the central savior god of Mithraism, a syncretic Hellenistic mystery religion of male initiates that developed in the Eastern Mediterranean in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC and was practiced in the Roman Empire from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD. Parthian coins and documents bear a double date with a 64 year interval that represents Mithra's ascension to heaven, traditionally given as the equivalent of 208 BC, 64 years after his birth.

[GarySpFc]

Mithras was the central savior god of Mithraism, a syncretic Hellenistic mystery religion of male initiates that developed in the Eastern Mediterranean in the 2nd and 1st centuries BC and was practiced in the Roman Empire from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD. Parthian coins and documents bear a double date with a 64 year interval that represents Mithra's ascension to heaven, traditionally given as the equivalent of 208 BC, 64 years after his birth.

The Persion God Mithra pre-dates Christ's incarnation, true. However, the myth about Mitra grew over a long period of time by the myth adopting features and elements that were popular from other religions. Christianity was one of the religions it borrowed from. If memory serves me correctly, according to he best historical sources those features of Mithraism which resemble features of Christian theology all appear to POST-date Christianity. Atheists who wish to deny Jesus and the doctrines of the Christian faith will try to argue otherwise, but as far as I know they have no way to support their supposition -- not historic citations.

You might want to read the following: http://www.tektonics.org/copycat/mithra.html