Rightous Pagans

[narrowpath]

I know that, in the early Church, and also today, there were certain pagans who were thought of as having had a special grace, a greater knowledge of God than those around them. suggested are Cicero, Virgil, Socrates, and others.

I don’t think that this is a dogma, or even an official doctrine, but could I have confirmation of that? Also, what is the Traditional catholic view of this doctrine?

 

[Blade_and_Blood]

You may have to do some research for that. Otherwise, I do have a website that I’ve taken a liking to. wicca.com/celtic/wicca/wicca0.htm

I’m not sure if it’ll help with your question because that’s a wiccan website, but it’s a start.

I definitely see their point, nevertheless. Pagans–Wiccans, especially-- are very in-tune with nature and are, therefore, much more in-tune with higher powers. If you were to think of the Native Americans, they were also in-tune with nature and, apparently, they were very wise and aware of their surroundings.

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood

 

[narrowpath]

I should probably clarify what I mean. I mean those living in cultures that have/had never heard of Christ, maybe lived before his time, who seemed to have a better knowledge of God. This could also apply to the aboriginal tribes before colonialization.

Socrates, for example said that there was one God, not many. There are accounts of others in cultures without knowledge of Christ making similar claims, even though this was counter-cultural. They even said that there was a Saviour coming. That’s the “rightous pagans” I’m talking about.

 

[Blade_and_Blood]

I should probably clarify what I mean. I mean those living in cultures that have/had never heard of Christ, maybe lived before his time, who seemed to have a better knowledge of God. This could also apply to the aboriginal tribes before colonialization.

Socrates, for example said that there was one God, not many. There are accounts of others in cultures without knowledge of Christ making similar claims, even though this was counter-cultural. They even said that there was a Saviour coming. That’s the “rightous pagans” I’m talking about.

Oh, sorry.

Well, considering that, I want to say the Hindus. They believed there would be a son of their God or a Savior and he did come. His name was Krishna.

But, then again, Hindus aren’t Pagans. So, perhaps that doesn’t help.

Ironically Yours.

 

[narrowpath]

well, I would disagree on certain points. The Hindus have a VERY different view of God than Christians (or Jews or Muslims or Zoroastrians).

Also, a rightous pagan is a person, not a group. I’m wondering if Zoroaster might not be considered a rightous pagan…I’ve studied the religion and he did preach a God similar to Judaism and Christianity. Now there are few Zoroastrians left…but there’s a whole thread on this in the Non-catholic religions forum.

Now, if a person in the Hindu culture was found preaching that there was one God, transcendent, yet personal, and that His Messiah would save us, and we could show that He had never heard of or encountered western monotheism before, He could be a rightous pagan.

By pagan, I don’t mean just ancient Roman, Greek or modern wiccans. We mean people who grew up in non-monotheistic cultures, who do or did not know God/Christ.