Correlations Between Mithraism and Christianity

Many scholars and researchers are finding strong correlations between pagan religions and modern day Christianity.   For instance, there are striking resemblances between the Horus/Osirus story and the Jesus story.   Another pagan religion that has some similarities to Christianity is Mithraism.

Dr. Zartosht Ataollahi of the Iran Chamber Society, which is a nonprofit organization that gives information on Persian/Iranian culture and history, writes that Mithraism was a strong contender to Christianity and in fact, had very strong influences on it.   For instance, "Mitra (Mithra) was the Son of God, so was Jesus. Mitra was born from a virgin, so was Jesus."   Mithraism symbology was incorporated into Christian symbology.   The December 25 birthday, the baptismal practices, the 12 apostles and so on can be found in both religions.   Ataollahi writes that because Mithraism was so rigid, Christianity was embraced because it allowed for innovation and discussion.

The basic tenets of Mithraism are explored in this video, which is a snippet   from the documentary The Hidden Story of Jesus by Robert Beckford.

The London Mithraeum was founded between 240 BC to50 AD. Its remains were rediscovered in 1952.

Payam Nabarz was interviewed by Dr Robert Beckford for Channel 4, filmed in the remains of the Temple of Mithras in London by Juniper TV. The video also gives an overview of some aspects of Mithraism, the ancient Roman mystery religion popular in the Roman Legions.

Nabarz is author of The Mysteries of Mithras: The Pagan Belief That Shaped the Christian World and Editor of Mithras Reader.

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Related posts:

1. The Mysteries of Mithras – The Pagan Belief That Shaped the Christian World
2. The Mysteries of Mithra
3. The Religion of the Mithras Cult in the Roman Empire Mysteries of the Unconquered Sun
4. Christ, Mithras and Christmas
5. Understanding Christianity
6. Counterfeit Christianity – How Ancient Paganism Mixed with Christianity
7. Mithras Mysteries and Inititation Rediscovered
8. Lord of the Cosmos – Mithras, Paul and the Gospel of Mark
9. The Origins of the Mithraic Mysteries – Cosmology and Salvation in the Ancient World
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8 Responses to “Correlations Between Mithraism and Christianity”

1. Kettcar says:

   June 23, 2009 at 3:48 am

   Hello,

   a very nice article. Thanks for the helpful information.

   Reply
2. Bernina Activa 210 Review says:

   June 30, 2009 at 10:45 am

   It's not surprising to me at all that there are Pagan religions with similarities to Christianity. Christianity co-existed with many pagan religions and it was the one that won out, thanks to Constantine and other important figures. I'm sure things were taken and added from many religions. Thanks for the article.

   Reply
   • Urbain says:

     June 30, 2009 at 9:47 pm

     Right on, Bernina! Christmas is a classic example of pagan practices embraced by Christianity.

     Reply
3. Jeniffer Hunter says:

   July 2, 2009 at 8:57 am

   Cristianism have some practices not included in the bible, so i agree that have some pagan practices.

   Reply
4. Doroteja says:

   July 3, 2009 at 8:24 am

   Very nice article and videos. Indeed, Christianity replaced many pagan celebration dates with their own holidays. I don't think it would have survived if it did not take elements from old religions. I really dislike the term "pagan"

   Reply
5. work at home blog says:

   July 3, 2009 at 6:13 pm

   Hmmm……there are a lot of stories about pagan linking with christian religion. This video is pretty interesting.

   Reply
6. Roger Dubuis says:

   July 7, 2009 at 10:21 am

   Christianity co-existed with many pagan religions and it was the one that won out, thanks to Constantine and other important figures.

   Reply
7. LOAIA says:

   July 7, 2009 at 5:50 pm

   "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4

   Mithras is a mythical figure just as Adam and Eve are mythical figures. There is no historical evidence of their actual existence.

   Reply

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