BULLETIN BOARD

THOUGHTS ON JESUS AS GOD
Subject: Mithras
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002
From: Greg

MITHRAS SITE
Subject: mithras
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002
From: "Melissa G"

At first I was happy to see a site that acknowledged the fact that the church simply overlapped pagan traditions with their own beliefs. Thus the church has been corrupted. But, it's funny to see that eventhough you have all this information, you still believe in the church and that Jesus is God. You still believe in the pagan traditions that were incorporated into the early church..that were never ordained by God. You probably even celebrate halloween with your children! (Myth is an important vehicle of truth. I do not share you ridged and literal approach. God has always used myth. Myth is good. Myth did not corrupt the Church. It enhanced it. -David)

Firstly, Jesus was not officially declared God until the year 325 A.D. at the first council of nicea. this means that 325 years after the death of Jesus, people were still confused on the issue of whether Jesus was or was not God. Therefore, the disciples of Jesus obviously had nothing to do with this decision because it was 300 years after their lifetime..just philosophers and people in high places...a big issue at the council of nicea was that there were two opposing sides...the side that believed Jesus was God...and the other side that believed Jesus was sent by God (thus, a prophet). (You do not know your history very well. John 1:1 states Jesus "was God." and John was a disciple. 300 years later it was reaffirmed. -David)

Secondly,the bible has obviously been changed throughout the centuries...I know this from reading various books, but also the main proof I have of it is that a bible my mother had when she was young has different books and wording than the bible i was given when i was young. Now, if the bible can be changed in our own lifetime...what makes you think the bible has not been changed over a period of 2000 years?? (Translations are not changes. You need to get better facts. -David)

I just want to say that, I am 20 years old, I used to be a catholic, but I recently converted to Islam for many important reasons. I realized that the Qu'ran has many of the same stories the bible does. Stories of moses, abraham, jesus, etc., which confirm many things written in the bible. The main thing that caused me to realize that Jesus was not God is the fact that he says so himself many times throughout the new testament...he in fact calls himself a prophet, sent only on the authority of God. example verses: (Luke 7:16, Mark 10:18, Matt.13:53-58, John 6:38, John 14:28, etc.) Also, there is proof in the bible and then confirmed in the Qu'ran that Jesus did not die on the cross, but God saved him from it. In Mark 14:35-36, Jesus prays to God to save him from being crucified. In Luke 24:36-43, Jesus confirms the story that the angels told about Jesus being alive, and tells his disciples not to fear because he is not a spirit, but he is alive. He goes on to say that a spirit does not have flesh and bones, and then he eats with them! just a simple reminder that i don't think SPIRITS eat food either. (You do not have a good grasp of Christian faith. The Bible is very clear about the death and the physical resurrection of Jesus. -David)

Lastly, there is proof that the jews were waiting for three distinct people to come. 1. elijah (elias) 2. the messiah 3. "that" prophet (refering to deut. 18:18, prophet like unto moses). Now, since elias and the messiah, jesus, already came, who is this mysterious prophet that the jews were waiting for? In John 16:7-8,13, Jesus says that if he does not leave, then the "helper", "counselor", "paraclete", etc. (different bible translations) will not come. Who is that helper? Muhammed. Muhammed came to preach the final word of God, for ALL mankind, not just arab people. And he confirmed everything that the earlier prophets preached, and that is to worship ONE GOD.

I just wanted to write this to you so that you might check it out for yourself. I realize that I'm not going to drastically change your mind from just this e-mail, but, I hope that you can see at least some truth in what i have written.
Anyway, I liked your site.
Melissa

Response: Thank you Melissa. -David

GOD OR JUST SOME GUY?
Subject: mithras
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002
From: Hang Dog

Does anyone ever wonder why Jesus, supposedly God Incarnate, never saw fit to write any of his teachings down himself and left it to the NT authors a hundred or so years later? I can tell you. Because Jesus, along with most of the Jewish population that came from "working class" or poorer families, was probably illiterate. (And so what? -David) Also, if Jesus were God here on earth, why didn't he see fit to correct mankind on its errors regarding the science of the time. (What for? Why? -David) Jesus, and everybody else from the time period, went to their graves believing the world was flat. ("..ends of the Earth..." and so forth) (We still use this expression. What of it? -David) Just imagine how much faster the world would have come out of its primitive state if Jesus, as God, would've said "Hold on, guys. You've got it all wrong. The Earth is actually a globe. (What, someone would have listened? Your points are a little strange. -David) And guess what. It's not actually the center of the universe either. Heaven isn't really up there just on the other side of the clouds and you might as well stop digging, because Hell isn't down under the soil either." (Heaven fills the universe and the light of heaven is the fire of Hell. I truly am lost in your direction of your logic. You are very literal in your world view. -David)

Finally, if Jesus were God, he must've known all the terrible things that would be done by his followers in the coming centuries in his name, the Inquisition, et al. How could he not have said "Let no man burn the flesh or slice the eyelids or tear the limbs from another man in my name."? (Jesus did say it in a different way: "Love your enemies." -David) I shudder to think of the millions of lives that could've been saved throughout history if Jesus had said "I have come bringing not a sword, but peace", instead of the other way around. (What sword was Jesus referring too? I do not recall any story of Jesus bringing a literal sword. Do you? -David)

Response: You have made Jesus out to be a stupid Jewish peasant who knew nothing. Why have you spent so much time discrediting Jesus if Jesus was a nothing? Actually your attention to the matter suggests the exact opposite. Jesus is important and worthy of consideration. Thanks for your consideration of Jesus. -David

JUST SOME GUY, part 2
Subject: Mithras
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002
From: Just some guy

David--
Ha, that's rich! A Christian talking about logic. (Thanks for the slam -David) No, I don't think Jesus was a stupid peasant. He was at times very wise, other times self-contradicting and filled with normal emotion. In other words, HUMAN. (Jesus was 100% human -absolutely true. To be less than human would reindered Jesus meaningless -David) If he were God, and illiterate, then God is illiterate???? (No. If Jesus was human, and he was, does that make God a human? -David) . Obviously he had no knowledge or care for the long-term future of humanity. (As a human, you are right, he was just like you and I -100% human -which is the point. -David) One of his unfulfilled prophecies mentions that (paraphrasing) "There are some among you who shall not draw their last breath before the return of God's Kingdom." ( The Kingdom came on the Day of Pentecost just after the resurrection -David) This is why his followers, especially Paul, were in such a hurry to get right with God (Not true. -David). They expected Jesus to come back in their lifetimes, (True. -David) and apparently, Jesus thought so too (Not true. -David). Jesus is worthy of consideration only in the context of his effect on humanity. He is Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and every other story we tell ourselves to fell better. He is not the son of God, there IS no God, (There is no God? How is it that I enjoy sunsets, delicious food, and human passion? Is all this sense, desire, passion and lust for life a cosmic accident?) and the sooner society realizes this, the sooner we can focus our attention on things that really matter (family, friends, art, literature, education, progress) and not on myths meant to assuage our fears of death and the unknown. (Myth is the best vehicle of truth -David).

Oh, BTW, you wonder who would've listened if Jesus would've told everyone the earth was a sphere and not flat. Well, if they believed him when he said he was the son of the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, why wouldn't they believe ANYTHING he said? (Why is important to you that Jesus needs to be a 21st century realist? Jesus came in another time and culture. He did not need to conform to your proof list in order to be Lord).

And Jesus did say to love your enemies, but that wasn't very specific, was it? (I think you are right. I was a general statement to cover all situations. Are Christians your enemies? Can you love Christians? Can you love your enemies or do you hate? And if you love your enemies, why do you jump on Jesus' words? Or do you discount Jesus so you can hate? -David) If someone had told the Knights Templar or the Grand Inquisitor to love their enemies because Jesus said so, do you think they would've stopped the years of torture and murder in Jesus' name? (No I don't think those misguided evil people would have. I agree with you on this point. These were terrible people. I am sure they are burning in Hell for their unrepented crimes against humanity in God's name. Paradoxically, God loves all people, even them. Even you . -David)

JUST SOME GUY, part 2
Subject: Mithras
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002
From: Just some guy

David--
Ha, that's rich! A Christian talking about logic. (Thanks for the slam -David) No, I don't think Jesus was a stupid peasant. He was at times very wise, other times self-contradicting and filled with normal emotion. In other words, HUMAN. (Jesus was 100% human -absolutely true. To be less than human would reindered Jesus meaningless -David) If he were God, and illiterate, then God is illiterate???? (No. If Jesus was human, and he was, does that make God a human? -David) . Obviously he had no knowledge or care for the long-term future of humanity. (As a human, you are right, he was just like you and I -100% human -which is the point. -David) One of his unfulfilled prophecies mentions that (paraphrasing) "There are some among you who shall not draw their last breath before the return of God's Kingdom." ( The Kingdom came on the Day of Pentecost just after the resurrection -David) This is why his followers, especially Paul, were in such a hurry to get right with God (Not true. -David). They expected Jesus to come back in their lifetimes, (True. -David) and apparently, Jesus thought so too (Not true. -David). Jesus is worthy of consideration only in the context of his effect on humanity. He is Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and every other story we tell ourselves to fell better. He is not the son of God, there IS no God, (There is no God? How is it that I enjoy sunsets, delicious food, and human passion? Is all this sense, desire, passion and lust for life a cosmic accident?) and the sooner society realizes this, the sooner we can focus our attention on things that really matter (family, friends, art, literature, education, progress) and not on myths meant to assuage our fears of death and the unknown. (Myth is the best vehicle of truth -David).

Oh, BTW, you wonder who would've listened if Jesus would've told everyone the earth was a sphere and not flat. Well, if they believed him when he said he was the son of the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, why wouldn't they believe ANYTHING he said? (Why is important to you that Jesus needs to be a 21st century realist? Jesus came in another time and culture. He did not need to conform to your proof list in order to be Lord).

And Jesus did say to love your enemies, but that wasn't very specific, was it? (I think you are right. It was a general statement to cover all situations. Are Christians your enemies? Can you love Christians? Can you love your enemies or do you hate? And if you love your enemies, why do you jump on Jesus' words? Or do you discount Jesus so you can hate? -David) If someone had told the Knights Templar or the Grand Inquisitor to love their enemies because Jesus said so, do you think they would've stopped the years of torture and murder in Jesus' name? (No I don't think those misguided evil people would have. I agree with you on this point. These were terrible people. I am sure they are burning in Hell for their unrepented crimes against humanity in God's name. Paradoxically, God loves all people, even them. Even you . -David)

WRONG NAME, WRONG SHAPE
Subject: Mithras
Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2002
From: "Michael Peck"

Sir: I came across your website while doing some research on the origins of Christianily. I noticed, in a response to an email about the cross, something I could add knowledge to, after my years of studying the Roman empire. Not only did the "Christians" get the name wrong......Jesus Christ instead of Yeshua Ben Yoseph, but they also got the shape of the cross wrong. The Romans crucified on a T beam, that is, a post and beam.........not the common representation used by Christians, which does, as your reader pointed out, resemble the shape of the sword used to conquer in the name of Christ, rather than the historical shape used by the Romans.

Lets see now, the Christians got the name and shape of their main symbol wrong, but we are supposed to believe they got everything else absolutely right?
Whew. Will

Response: Yeshua/Josuha (Hebrew) = Jesus (Greek), so what's your point here? Your name would be different in Spanish, for example. Would this make the Mexicans wrong. Christian have no issue with calling Jesus "Yeshua." The Roman cross came in various shapes according to eye-witness Roman historian Josephus. So what's your point. Jesus may have been on a "T" cross or an "X" cross or the traditional cross. I do not think it matters, we are not really sure. And I do not think I really matters to Christians. But it seems to matter to you. Why is that? It must be that you are not a Christian, and you need reasons why you are not. So, great. Be happy. Thanks for your comments. -David

THE FACTS, PLEASE!
Subject: Mithras
Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001
From: leia

Hi, I've been studying the Council of Nicea and Constantine. This in turn, lead me to websites of various nature, some of which discuss the pagan foundations of many of our christian holidays, which in turn lead me to a study of Mithraism and that's how I found your site. My question is this: After having read over countless theories, philosophies, opinions and testimonies regarding the pagan connection, would it be possible for if you were to ask those who post here to include some sort of historical documentation, quotes, footnotes, ANYTHING, to support their version of the retelling of history? So much word of mouth clouds the intellect and meshes fiction with fact in such a way that it is nigh on impossible to provide support for a single relevant thought when studying the issue. If all we have is a bunch of unsubstantiated claims without not so much as a single bit of historical proof, then it boils down to a shouting match and who can generate the most friction for their side of the argument. This should not be the way history is retold, even if that history is based on mythos. Let's have some facts and documentation pleeeeeease, please, please. Beth

Response: Thanks Beth. -David

PAUL COULD HAVE...
Subject: Mithras
Date: Tue, 25 Dec 2001
From: Stephen

I've did some research into the subject of early Christianity, and I learned that the early Christians believed Jesus was a Prophet, and over a period of time this belief developed into the belief that Jesus is God (this concept appeared in 381 AD with the adoption of Doctrine of the Trinity)... (You might wish to check into that one again, friend. The belief in that Jesus and God were the same was affirmed by the Church in the Nicean Council over 55 years earlier than your date. That belief wasn't invented at the Nicean Council, only formalized. The belief that, as Jesus said, "I and the Father are one", was one held by Christians since the first century.) On one of your responses to an email on your site you said that it would be impossible for Paul to indoctrinate a foreign belief into Christianity, I disagree because we have to remember that Paul worked among the Gentiles (non Jews) hence changing the belief would be rather easy, and the notion of motive also exists, we know that Paul believed Jesus would come again within his life time, so his intentions became to convert as many followers as possible, so perhaps to make conversions of certain peoples easier, he adopted some of their spiritual beliefs (mithraism).

So my question basically is, is their a large possibility that certain portions of Christian Doctrine (examples: Resurection/Jesus being a "saviour"/Jesus being "God"/etc,etc) have Pagan origin?

Response: Thank you for a well reasoned argument. The concept of Jesus as God in flesh was not unique to Paul, as you say it was common to first century Christians.You seem to answer your own question in regards to Paul. Additionally Mithras was not considered to be God incarnate. That said, it is also my belief that such myths as Mithras did prepare the way for Jesus. There are lots of myths that predate Jesus about a dying and reviving god. These myths were, in a sense, prophetic and point to Jesus. I believe the same as JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis in this regard.

In terms of differences between Paganism and Christianity, historian Robin Lane Fox states that almost all of the so-called continuities are spurious. He notes that the Christian teaching of charity and the worth of the poor, along with the introduction of the idea of sin, constituted something new within the Roman empire. Also, he states, "Any account of pagan worship which minimizes the god's uncertain anger and mortal's fear of it is an empty account." Nor were pagans exhorted to respond to divinely revealed truths. There was no sense, in pagan cults, of members' obligations to a definite moral code that was followed in the adoration of a god. The concept of a one true God did not exist in the Roman mind. Incarntion and virgin birth were rare features of pagan gods. -David

HOLD ON A SECOND
Subject: Mithras
Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001
From: hang dog

You need to dig a little deeper into your Mithras research. Look into names like Zoroaster and Zarathustra. You will find terms used like "the Way", "the Truth", "the Light", "the Lamb", the"Son of God". You will find a young robed man often pictured with a halo, closely-trimmed beard, sometimes carrying a lamb on his shoulders. All long before Christ. Sound familiar? Paul went back into Tarsus, a predominantly Mithraic community, and merged his version of Christ's story with the beliefs of the people he was desperately trying to convert (the virgin birth, etc.). Remember, Paul though that Christ was coming back, like, in a couple of days, so they'd all better get ready. Without even going into Paul's psychological state or his other motives (a deep-seated hatred of women, for one), I will say that the Christian faith is founded largely on deception. What is it that makes people so ready to believe in Christ when so many other deities with similar stories exist? If it weren't for a couple of military victories by the Greeks and Romans over the Persians, you'd all be getting ready for Mithras-mas right about now.

By the way, the name "Jesus" is actually an accident of bad translation. the Greek word "Iesous" in the New Testament was read by the Romans to be "Jesus" when the actual word translated for Hebrew by the Greeks is "Yeshua" or "Yehoshua", variant forms of Joshua. I find it ironic that the Christian saviour is called by his followers by the name given him by his greatest enemy. You'd think that, in this "inspired Word of God", God would've inspired somebody to get His son's name right.

THE CROSS
Subject: Mithras
Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2001
From: Ramazan Zuberi

Hello David, I was just curious to know a little about the history of the cross. I heard that it derived from the symbol of a sword because they do look very similar in shape. If you can share some information on this, I would appreciate it. Thank you.
Ramazan Zuberi
P.S. Please don?t post my e-mail.

Response: The Romans crucified people on crosses. The fact that a cross can look like like a sword has nothing to do with the origin of the cross of Jesus. -David

I JUST WANNA KNOW...
Subject: Mithras
Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2001
From: francis

I just "Happened" to "find" this web page...hmmm...I think maybe I came across it not so accidently.. I am relieved after reading what you said...and made clear some of my doubts... Because I was skeptical about all the ancient religions...so so SO many of them and they all share numerouse similarities (the Flood) all over the world many share similarities..then, you said that perhaps God put these ancient religions into the ancient people's mind's for one good reason, and that was to prepare the people all over the world for the word of Jesus....when the 12 disciples were given the gift of tounges to spread the word of Jesus all over the world, Because the ancient peoples had their own religions with all their similarities they were prepared, able to assept, or even expect the coming of Christ...Wow... I know I cannot make what I am thinking very loud and clear, but now I know for myself...I just want to know one thing...

It has been 2000 years and then some since Jesus, There have been others since him, like Buddah, I know he was a very peaceful man...not a diety...but just made into one...I also heard (but may not be true) that Buddah may be a desendent to Christ (cousin)...Very Interesting....

Now...The signs of the times...all the goings on in our world...what do YOU think? My very spiritual mother (who has the gift of tounges) thinks these are the end days... If it is indeed the end time, what about those who arent saved, or who do not believe that Jesus is the way? I Know that God loves all... Come on now... If Jesus is the ONLY way... then what about those who are spiritual as far as believing in a GOD, but not Jesus as God?

OUR JESUS, WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
Subject: Mithras
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2001
From: josh

so much learning about evering? do you need someone to save you from a life that is so messed up? tell JEsus about it and 'he will help you Read the BIble and just relaxed, but examine yourself and tell JEsus about it ,

BLUE LETTER
Subject: blue letter Mithras
Date: Sat, 06 Oct 2001
From: "shohreh jandaghian"

Dear sir, I've already sent you an email, asking you about some information considering "mithraism in hollywood". I read your article 'The incredible mithras myth' which is very interesting. I'm a filmmaker living in paris and preparing a documentary about "mithra". I'd like to know more about you and your activities considering mithra and also I'd like to know if there is already a movie produced about "mithraism" in hollywood. I'd appereciate if you let me know about it. Please receive my best regards from paris;
sincerely, shohreh Jandaghian

MYTH AND MYTHRAS
Subject: myth and mythras
Date: Wed, 03 Oct 2001
From: cedar

Hi there I tell you true, on religions I am confused, though amazingly enough about, God I am not :)

I don't understand any purposes of human sacrifices, it all seems repugant and abhorrant.... whether they be the rites of Molech, this religion or that down through time, and even to even of Jesus on a cross. I don't understand animal sacrifice, let alone human sacrifice, and I don't know why mammel life is considered more so desirable for the task over plant life. The whole concept of LIFE sacrifice period gives me the creeps!!!

I have nothing against the words attributed to Jesus (or coming from God's Spirit through out human history) The problems I DO however have is ANY religion that professes to be THE WAY OR BE DOOMED (damned). "Believe this way", aka "BELIEVE OUR WAY"-- "MY WAY" or burn in hte lake of fire for eternity. This to me is mind control, a cult mentality if you will..... and plays on CONTROL of believers and of FEAR. BUT contrary to all of this, is a God of Whom I understand is LOVE.

I can't ascribe to alot of Paul's teachings, his predjuce against women is most apparent, by one who claims to be so enlightened. He even "threatens" his followers with heresay, if one disputes his authority on these matters. Peter too ascribes to the same predjuces of women. Between the two of these, they have created hell on earth for many a woman for the last 2000 yrs, all in the name of their god! If God gave a woman a gift to speak, be a prophet, etc...who was this Paul (Saul) to say, even command otherwise! grrrrr

My feelings are that in ANY religon, one must use a God given discernement to pick and choose, of what one believes and knows to be true (inside) and what one may and should discard as a writer's personal predjuces and tactics. On Mythras, I sorta ascribe and agree with everyone saying that the bull is the age of Taurus...and some (symbolic or literal)"god" was the slayer of that age and of those times, as well as the bringer of new ones to come. I liked the "seawitch" review alot.

I humbly request my e-mail addy not be posted thankyou very much I may not agree with all or most of your views...but it is good we all can discuss them. Remember no one here is an authority on any of these matters,as it is all specualtion from any of us. But we know what we know what we know....lol

MYTH AND MYTHRAS
Subject: myth and mythras
Date: Wed, 03 Oct 2001
From: cedar

Hi there I tell you true, on religions I am confused, though amazingly enough about, God I am not :)

I don't understand any purposes of human sacrifices, it all seems repugant and abhorrant.... whether they be the rites of Molech, this religion or that down through time, and even to even of Jesus on a cross. I don't understand animal sacrifice, let alone human sacrifice, and I don't know why mammel life is considered more so desirable for the task over plant life. The whole concept of LIFE sacrifice period gives me the creeps!!!

I have nothing against the words attributed to Jesus (or coming from God's Spirit through out human history) The problems I DO however have is ANY religion that professes to be THE WAY OR BE DOOMED (damned). "Believe this way", aka "BELIEVE OUR WAY"-- "MY WAY" or burn in hte lake of fire for eternity. This to me is mind control, a cult mentality if you will..... and plays on CONTROL of believers and of FEAR. BUT contrary to all of this, is a God of Whom I understand is LOVE.

I can't ascribe to alot of Paul's teachings, his predjuce against women is most apparent, by one who claims to be so enlightened. He even "threatens" his followers with heresay, if one disputes his authority on these matters. Peter too ascribes to the same predjuces of women. Between the two of these, they have created hell on earth for many a woman for the last 2000 yrs, all in the name of their god! If God gave a woman a gift to speak, be a prophet, etc...who was this Paul (Saul) to say, even command otherwise! grrrrr

My feelings are that in ANY religon, one must use a God given discernement to pick and choose, of what one believes and knows to be true (inside) and what one may and should discard as a writer's personal predjuces and tactics. On Mythras, I sorta ascribe and agree with everyone saying that the bull is the age of Taurus...and some (symbolic or literal)"god" was the slayer of that age and of those times, as well as the bringer of new ones to come. I liked the "seawitch" review alot.

I humbly request my e-mail addy not be posted thankyou very much I may not agree with all or most of your views...but it is good we all can discuss them. Remember no one here is an authority on any of these matters,as it is all specualtion from any of us. But we know what we know what we know....lol

CHRIST AND PAGANISM DON'T AMALGAMATE TOGETHER AS YOU ASSERT
Subject: Mithras
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2001
From: "Bobby"

Dear Dave,
The correlation you presume between myth and Christ is an Atheistic Lie (Hmm!). Their is no such correlation between the writings of Paul or anyone in the Bible, to paganism, however it may manifest itself. All paganism you make reference to is the product of the apostate Catholic Church of the Roman Empire ages. They incorporated a Sunday sabbath for instance, to unify the pagans and Christians, and to separate the Christians from the Jews who were dispised at the time (they were not around). Catholics instituted paganism not the Bible (actually the pagans instituted paganism). Christmas, easter, and any other Catholic precept is not found in the scriptures (the words Bible, Trinity, are not in the Bible either). Please clarify exactly what your intent is here. The Bible has no pagan aspects in it, all are derived from hebrew theology, the pagan aspects resulted from the Catholic Church. END OF STORY. (So you are anti-Catholic, anti-Pope, anti-Mother Teresa, anti-Christmas, anti-Easter, and anti-Sunday, anti-Billy Graham, anti everything! I'll bet you are a real drag to be around. I mean, good grief. you probably even hate the cute little Easter Bunny. I suppose you'd never be a Pagan Santa Claus in the mall. Hate, hate, hate. Anti-this anti-that. Do you think this somehow gains points with God?)
May Yahweh bless,
Bobby Aleckson

POSSIBILITY OF PAGAN ORIGIN?
Subject: Mithras
Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001
From: DoMiin

I've did some research into the subject of early Christianity, and I learned that the early Christians believed Jesus was a Prophet, and over a period of time this belief developed into the belief that Jesus is God (this concept appeared in 381 AD with the adoption of Doctrine of the Trinity)...On one of your responses to an email on your site you said that it would be impossible for Paul to indoctrinate a foreign belief into Christianity, I disagree because we have to remember that Paul worked among the Gentiles (non Jews) hence changing the belief would be rather easy, and the notion of motive also exists, we know that Paul believed Jesus would come again within his life time, so his intentions became to convert as many followers as possible, so perhaps to make conversions of certain peoples easier, he adopted some of their spiritual beliefs (mithraism).

So my question basically is, is their a large possibility that certain portions of Christian Doctrine (examples: Resurection/Jesus being a "saviour"/Jesus being "God"/etc,etc) have Pagan origin?

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