Having actually studied the subjects I reject those who try to construct some kind of conspiracy theory regarding ancient pagan religions and the occult somehow infiltrating and co-opting Christianity through the Vatican. The only conspiracy is a conspiracy of the grossly and maliciously ignorant who have never considered the concept or practice of visio divina.
Neither have the accusers considered the role of symbolism in communicating and creating mnemonics for the teaching of Scripture to the illiterate and those who have no written language. The real shame is the willingness of some to unquestioningly conclude that the worst about the Church must be true.
Among the more recent ancient pagan religions and rites in the Catholic Church, think Haiti. In Haiti every voodoo ceremony begins with Catholic prayers.
How about the spiritist cult of Santeria? A blend of African paganism and Catholicism involving "gods" passed off as Catholic saints who front for demons.
How about the cemeteries of Rio de Janeiro on religious holidays? You would find the Catholic faithful there petitioning the spirits of their ancestors along with Catholic saints.
Hmmmm..Brazil and Cuba...spiritism and voodoo-related African religions of various kinds blend with Catholicism.
Latin America? native superstitions remain among the Catholics.
Which came first? paganism or Catholicism? Images, holy water, and many of the rituals now part of Catholicism have been adapted from paganism.
Mary?
Many Catholics boast that Mary has taken the place of "Maia, the nymph of Greek mythology, who was the mother of Hermes by Zeus, the sky god. The month of May was named after Maia, who was known as "the queen of May...{and}the Jesuit effort to turn the Queen of May into the Virgin Mary was successful..."- The Catholic Sun, May 26,1993.
There is no conspiracy theory. It is TRUTH.
I am of the belief that all things belong to God to use for His purpose in whatever way He will.
I worship only Him.
The pagans desired to worship God, but did not know the true God. Christianity took that desire and showed them the God of Abraham and taught them to turn their worship to Him.
The charge made against Catholicism is not only specious it is against all of Christianity for the reasons I said in my last post.
Try again...I don't understand German...
Neither have the accusers considered the role of symbolism in communicating and creating mnemonics for the teaching of Scripture to the illiterate and those who have no written language.
So you had to resort to borrowing pagan symbols to get the simpletons to understand Christianity???
If I was in charge of a religion, I'd invent my own symbols so's the dummies wouldn't confuse my religion with the pagan's...