Christian Holidays Taken from Wiccan/Pagan Sabbats
Christian Holidays Taken From Wiccan/Pagan Sabbats Melissa Ezzell COM 220 July 4, 2010 Titilayo Evans
Christianity and Wicca (Paganism/Neo-Paganism), what do you know about these two religions? When I was growing up I believed in the Christian beliefs; however I now practice Wicca. Look closely at the Christian religion and notice how similar it is to Wicca. Although denied by most Christians the similarities are there because “Christianity began in the middle of Pagan culture” (Kane, p. 12). Is the origin of Christianity based on ancient Pagan beliefs or is it wholly original? Christianity started around four BC (History of Christianity, 2004; Anonymous, Timeline of Christianity, 2006) yet Wicca was said to have started around 2000 BC (Anonymous, Timeline of Neopaganism, Wicca, and Witchcraft, 2005). However, most of Wiccans practice what is now known as “modern” Wicca, which was founded approximately in 1949 with the first Wiccan publication, by a man named Gardner (History of Paganism, 2004). In the time of Christ, paganism was known as the mystery religion. Paganism was called as such because of the secretive nature and lack of writings associated with them. “A variety of mystery religions were practiced throughout the empire, but most of them held in common a heavy element of secrecy, the use of syncretism in their belief and practice, and a focus on the death and resurrection of a savior-god” (Anonymous, Timeline of Neopaganism, Wicca, and Witchcraft, 2005, p. 15). However, witches no longer have to be secretive and practice in the dark, but some witches will still practice in secret because of the fear that has been “burned” into their hearts. Most of the knowledge of these pagan religions dates from the second century (Anonymous, The Historical Context of Christianity, 2004). Around four BC when Jesus was
Christianity and Wicca (Paganism/Neo-Paganism), what do you know about these two religions? When I was growing up I believed in the Christian beliefs; however I now practice Wicca. Look closely at the Christian religion and notice how similar it is to Wicca. Although denied by most Christians the similarities are there because “Christianity began in the middle of Pagan culture” (Kane, p. 12). Is the origin of Christianity based on ancient Pagan beliefs or is it wholly original? Christianity started around four BC (History of Christianity, 2004; Anonymous, Timeline of Christianity, 2006) yet Wicca was said to have started around 2000 BC (Anonymous, Timeline of Neopaganism, Wicca, and Witchcraft, 2005). However, most of Wiccans practice what is now known as “modern” Wicca, which was founded approximately in 1949 with the first Wiccan publication, by a man named Gardner (History of Paganism, 2004). In the time of Christ, paganism was known as the mystery religion. Paganism was called as such because of the secretive nature and lack of writings associated with them. “A variety of mystery religions were practiced throughout the empire, but most of them held in common a heavy element of secrecy, the use of syncretism in their belief and practice, and a focus on the death and resurrection of a savior-god” (Anonymous, Timeline of Neopaganism, Wicca, and Witchcraft, 2005, p. 15). However, witches no longer have to be secretive and practice in the dark, but some witches will still practice in secret because of the fear that has been “burned” into their hearts. Most of the knowledge of these pagan religions dates from the second century (Anonymous, The Historical Context of Christianity, 2004). Around four BC when Jesus was
Cited: Anonymous. (2000). A Comparative Look at Catholicism and Wicca. Retrieved July 3, 2010, from Northco: http://www.northco.net/chenke/comp_1.html Anonymous Anonymous. (2004, December 27). The Historical Context of Christianity. Retrieved May 21, 2010, from ReligionFacts: http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/history/context.htm Anonymous Anonymous. (2005, April 16). Timeline of Neopaganism, Wicca, and Witchcraft. Retrieved May 21, 2010, from ReligionFacts: http://www.religionfacts.com/neopaganism/timeline.htm Anonymous Kane, G. (n.d.). Victors ' History. Retrieved June 1, 2010, from Pagan Origins of Christian Myth: http://www.pocm.info/getting_started_victors_history.html Knowles, G Knowles, G. (2001, May 4). Alex Sanders (1926-1988). Retrieved July 4, 2010, from Controverscial: http://www.controverscial.com/Alex%20Sanders.htm Knowles, G Robinson, B. A. (2002, August 6). Christianity, Ancient Celtic Beliefs, and Witchcraft. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from Religious Tolerance: http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_chr.htm Wakefield, M