Did the Roman Catholic Church combine Christianity with Paganism?

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I am trying to find sources for my research questioned titled: Did the Roman Catholic Church combine Christianity with Paganism? I am looking for fairly recent authors who make or insinuate this claim as well as other denominations who do the same. I know the Seventh-Day Adventist church plants their feet pretty deeply in this argument, but I need reference material that is credible-- not just some random guy with a blog and an axe to grind. I need sources that are on the “scholarly side” of the argument if possible. I am looking for books and journal/magazine articles. I can probably cite one article from CA, but not really any more than that. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Short answer, no. Long answer, there are plenty of books written on this, you may do well to read them, I’m glad you asked, though. A lot of people make this accusation without evidence.
 
Thanks for replying! I am using a work or maybe two by Loraine Boettner and Ramsay MacMullen, and I was wondering if you could think of anything just by chance in the way of a book? I know you said no, but maybe if you think of something by chance I’d be really grateful. I am a student at Loyola University in New Orleans, and I could really use the help! Thanks again!
 
I’m looking for the people who make these claims and try to pass them off as credible. It’s not because I’m a fan–I just want to see where these claims originate and how we as Catholics can give solid reasons as to why the claims are unfounded. It would be nice if questions like these never came up, but when they do we can have solid evidence that points to why these theories-- or whatever you want to call them-- are hogwash.
 
No the way I look at it how could every single one of the oldest denominations Oriental Orthodox Orthodox Catholic and Armenian all have been “pagan” due to them venerating icons and saints It wasn’t until the 8th century I believe when there was a debate on this belief and it wasn’t even from a priest it was a emperor. It would baffle me that God would allow 1500 years of a church that went against his teachings to flourish. The Seventh Day Adventist are hypocrites since they love the bible there entire religion was founded against it Christ tells us that not to predict the end of the world yet the religion rose from the Millerites named after William Miller he predicted that the world would end on the 22nd of October 1844 this day would go down in history as the Great Disappointment because as you know we are still on the earth. The hilarious thing about them is that guess who wrote the book on the second coming of Christ using the method prescribed by Miller a Jesuit Priest. They also predicted that the world would end on Feburary 13 1925. Then there is Roch Theriault a former Roman Catholic who converted to Seventh Day Adventist who started a cult based around SDA theology he abused and tortured his followers and was eventually arrested.
 
When you write your paper Meln could you post it here or otherwise send it to me in some form?

I would very much like to read it.

-With the kindest regards, James.
 
GK Chesterton on Paganism and Catholicism

This isn’t exactly what you want, but Chesterton is always interesting and may give you a better way to approach your question.

Your question is problematic imo. It starts from a “paganism bad” perspective, rather than God desires all to be saved. There must be something that explains it, I’ll keep thinking about it.
 
As Dovekin said, the question your paper addresses starts with the perspective ‘Paganism bad.’ I’ve heard maybe one person repeat the ‘Catholic Church is pagan’ thing before. I think the thing is just a wild anti-Catholic lie, but it still does show ignorance of history on the part of people who perpetuate the lie nonetheless.

I can’t help you with any sources that’ll back the claim you’re refuting—and perhaps the lack of credible info on this is proof it’s BS to begin with.

But, I do think it’ll do your paper well to give a good historical outline of how the early Church converted the pagan world. History is key to fighting the anti-Catholic lies.

Check out Hilaire Belloc’s essay The New Paganism. It addresses the old Greek and Roman paganism that the early Church was persecuted by but then converted.

http://www.catholictradition.org/Classics/belloc2-1.htm
 
Thank you so much! I need information that has an historical background as this is supposed to be Interdisciplinary research—the two disciplines being Religion and History. As far as this particular question goes, it has been a little difficult finding historical references to it. I do have Ramsay MacMullen’s work and I’m also looking at Walter Woodburn Hyde’s book titled “Paganism to Christianity in the Roman Empire.” It is an older book, however, with it being published in 1946. I am also looking into Hislop’s book, which is also old, "The Two Babylons, " that dates back to the 1800’s. I have to have 16-20 sources, and that can get overwhelming as I am searching in Loyola University New Orleans databases, Google Scholar, and Google. Thank you again for the link to the essay. I am definitely going to try to utilize it.
 
Hello, Dovekin! Thank you so much for the link! I am definitely going to try and include it in my Bibliography. For myself, I really don’t have an axe to grind with paganism. However, I think certain Protestant groups might when they charge the Catholic Church with corrupting pure Christianity with paganism, idol worship, etc. As you stated, the Christian movement wasn’t reserved for certain people. It was intended to include all–Gentile, Jew, etc. Thank you again for your help! I appreciate you going out of your way!!
 
If I recall correctly, Karl Keating, in his book “Fundamentalism and Catholicism,” quotes, comments on and refutes, a great many assertions by Loraine Boettner, particularly those made I Boettner’s book “Roman Catholicism.”
 
@JimG

That’s the third time I’ve heard of this book in a week. I need to buy it now.
 
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Thank you so much for the suggestion! I am going to look over it right now! I appreciate your time very much!
 
Yes, the Church was influenced by paganism. The Pope is known as ‘Pontiff Maximus’ the same title as the pagan high priest of ancient Rome. Etc. But the beliefs of the non-Christian Romans were very different. More influence though has come from pagan philosophers such as Aristotle. ‘Combine’ as a term would need to be defined. ‘Influence’, and to what extent is the more rational way to look at the question.
 
@MeInMississippi
MeInMississippi said:
I am trying to find sources for my research questioned titled: Did the Roman Catholic Church combine Christianity with Paganism?
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Your research will be futile if your trying to find anti Catholic materiel ,am sure you’ll find hundreds of website, reading what is not true and what the Catholic believe .“There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be.” Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen

My suggestion is, you first do a research on Catholic point of view ,since the people’s culture and customs play a great role on the conversion to Christianity or on Re- Christianize or Conversion of Culture by Pope John Paul ii says,then you go for other source.God Bless

The Good News of the Gospel for cultures
Evangelization and inculturation
A pastoral approach to culture

http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-p...hf_jp-ii_enc_07121990_redemptoris-missio.html

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/p.../rc_pc_pc-cultr_doc_03061999_pastoral_en.html

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...ments/rc_cti_1988_fede-inculturazione_en.html
 
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edwest said:
No, it didn’t.
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How do you explain the cutting down of a tree, placing it in the house or church, and decorating it with ornaments.
Jeremiah 10 etc:
Thus says the LORD: Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple.
and
" During the Roman mid-winter festival of Saturnalia, houses were decorated with wreaths of evergreen plants, along with other antecedent customs now associated with Christmas." Wikipedia Christmas tree article.
 
Wow…this is a great amount of material! I thank you for your time as I am feeling really challenged here in finding good material. However, my professor wants me to find sources that make these allegations against the Church, as he says he has never heard this claim. I will still look into the material you have given as I need solid sources from both sides of the argument. I can’t think of a better source than the Vatican! Thank you so much again!!
 
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