This is a must see for anyone who's gay and struggles with Christian Fundamentalist, ideological violence, or anyone who struggles with any form of "otherness" (and as it turns our ONLY EVERYONE has at the very least some level of "otherness" as part of their subjectivity), or anyone interested in understanding the Christian Faith.
One thing I particularly appreciated was them helping to bring light to the astronomical rates of teen suicide amongst gay teens. this is a critical issue.
Showing posts with label christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christianity. Show all posts
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, December 25, 2009
Pagan Christmas
It is uncontroversially acknowledged by any Christian scholar or historian that Christmas takes place on December 25th, in an attempt by the Church to "cover over" or co-opt a pagan holiday.
The cult of Mithras was more popular in its day day than the fledgling Christ Cult. However, it was a male-only cult and by the time of Emperor Constantine and his son Theodophicus, it was all co-opted into the larger Christian Institution.
Mithras killed the bull and was born on December 25th. He is said to have died and resurrected in three days.
Neo-pagans hope to revive the religious traditions that were erased, co-opted, and covered over during the 4th Century.
However, this movement is not JUST a reactionary or romantic movement.
The cult of Mithras was more popular in its day day than the fledgling Christ Cult. However, it was a male-only cult and by the time of Emperor Constantine and his son Theodophicus, it was all co-opted into the larger Christian Institution.
Mithras killed the bull and was born on December 25th. He is said to have died and resurrected in three days.
Neo-pagans hope to revive the religious traditions that were erased, co-opted, and covered over during the 4th Century.
However, this movement is not JUST a reactionary or romantic movement.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Gnostic Gospels
I first came across Elaine Pagels probably over 10 years ago, and was intrigued. There's a separate set of gospels? As it turns out archaeology has revealed (by pure serendipity) both the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi manuscripts. The Essenes, the Gnostics, new groups of religious adherents new to me.
Then later I met a Coptic Christian from Egypt and also learned that one of the oldest traditions of Christianity is the Syriac Church. There is even a very interesting and ancient tradition of Christianity in the South Indian state of Kerala, purportedly started by doubting Thomas himself. Their rituals would be unrecognizable to us today but seem to reflect much more "pure" traditions of ancient Christ Cult practices.
Even the Armenians linked Christianity to State power before the European church (with the Roman Empire). In fact, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is still run by Armenian priests, as well as there are monastaries in continuous inhabitation by Armenians for many centuries in spite of the fact that there had been no Armenian state for most of that same time period!
Furthermore, the Ethiopians insist they possess the Ark of the Covenant. Indeed, the Ethiopian languages are Semitic languages and their lifestyles are closest to what we would consider the bibilical, nomadic lifestyles we read about in the bible.
Lastly, I most recently learned of the Mandeans located in Iraq. Today there are up to 100,000 adherents of this tradition and have been labeled by Orientalists as the only continuously practiced lived tradition of Gnostics! Since the glorious Bushkrieg of 2003, all of them have been dispersed to Jordan, Syria, the U.S. and other places outside of their homeland. These communities who had been tight lipped and secretive seem to be descendents of John the Baptist!
Then later I met a Coptic Christian from Egypt and also learned that one of the oldest traditions of Christianity is the Syriac Church. There is even a very interesting and ancient tradition of Christianity in the South Indian state of Kerala, purportedly started by doubting Thomas himself. Their rituals would be unrecognizable to us today but seem to reflect much more "pure" traditions of ancient Christ Cult practices.
Even the Armenians linked Christianity to State power before the European church (with the Roman Empire). In fact, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is still run by Armenian priests, as well as there are monastaries in continuous inhabitation by Armenians for many centuries in spite of the fact that there had been no Armenian state for most of that same time period!
Furthermore, the Ethiopians insist they possess the Ark of the Covenant. Indeed, the Ethiopian languages are Semitic languages and their lifestyles are closest to what we would consider the bibilical, nomadic lifestyles we read about in the bible.
Lastly, I most recently learned of the Mandeans located in Iraq. Today there are up to 100,000 adherents of this tradition and have been labeled by Orientalists as the only continuously practiced lived tradition of Gnostics! Since the glorious Bushkrieg of 2003, all of them have been dispersed to Jordan, Syria, the U.S. and other places outside of their homeland. These communities who had been tight lipped and secretive seem to be descendents of John the Baptist!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
