Bibliograph

Christianity, the origins of a pagan religion, Philippe Walter ; translated by Jon E. Graham

Type

Label

Christianity, the origins of a pagan religion, Philippe Walter ; translated by Jon E. Graham

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 202-210) and index

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Christianity

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

64688666

Responsibility statement

Philippe Walter ; translated by Jon E. Graham

Sub title

the origins of a pagan religion

Summary

This study of the Christian mythology that animated medieval Europe shows that this mythology is primarily of pagan inspiration and that very little comes from the Bible. The fact that Christianity grafted itself onto earlier pagan worship was no mystery to the Church Fathers, author Walter explains. Pope Gregory the Great told Saint Augustine of Canterbury that rather than tear down the pagan temples in Britain, he should instead add the pagan rituals into the mix of Christian practices, thus providing an easy transition to the new religion. In this highly documented work Walter shows which major calendar days of the Christian year are founded on pagan rituals and myths, including the high holidays of Easter and Christmas, when many pagans prepared for the coming of spirits who would leave gifts for those who honored them.From publisher description

Table Of Contents

Carnival, the enigma of a name -- November 1, Samhain -- Christmas and the twelve days -- February 1, Imbolc -- The transitional period of Easter -- May 1, Beltane -- Saint John's Day -- August 1, Lughnasa -- Saint Michael on Mount Gargan

Classification