Monday, January 13, 2014

The fall of paganism?

Consequently, and despite the prevailing historical view, paganism wasn’t quickly obliterated. Instead, it seeped away very slowly. The Academy at Athens did not close until 529, and “even in most Christian Eddessa, organized communities of pagans were still sacrificing to Zeus-Hadad in the last quarter of the sixth century.” …In fact, there were still many active pagans and functioning temples to the gods in Greece and further east as late as the tenth century. Moreover, for a considerable time in many parts of the empire, including some major cities, the prevailing religious perspectives and practices consisted of a remarkable amalgam of paganism and Christianity. Finally, paganism never fully died out in Europe; it was assimilated by Christianity. For example, many pagan festivals continued to be celebrated and many of the gods lingered under very thin Christian overlays.— The Triumph of Christianity, page 185

<idle musing>
I would argue that paganism is still the prevailing religion amongst most people. And as the veneer of christianity wears thin, it is reasserting itself. The only hope is a revival—a true revival among christians first so that what is shared isn't a fix yourself, do better, try harder, self-actualization religion, but true heart holiness...
</idle musing>

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