To the topic, no Christianity is not a "pagan religion" in any sense of the word.
As I'm sure many know, the term "pagan" is derived from the Latin
paganus, and during the time of the Holy Roman Empire, was a term applied to non-Christians. Thus it's a term that can be applied to much of the world - an application that I personally don't like, as it then becomes absolutely useless. Especially when "non-Christian" works just fine. Thus...
In this modern age, with the rise of Contemporary Paganism, many of us in the community prefer to limit the term "Paganism" (yes, yes, I know it's properly "Neopaganism" or "Contemporary Paganism") to the pre-Christian cultural beliefs of Europe; as those groups are the ones who - by and large - self-identify as "Pagan", and their cultures were the ones encountered by the good 'ol SPQR. Kemeticism would be included in this, but I've spoken to several - as well as Atenists - who do not share in the identity of Paganism. This doesn't include individuals who pull from Eastern or indigenous American beliefs--but I digress.
The term was first used to describe non-Christians - and not just a division of dogma or the
ridiculous infighting that we see between Protestants and Catholics. Even today it is still archaically used as such. How can Christianity be a "pagan religion" thus?
Christianity is not
based on the cultural beliefs of pre-Christian Europe, it is based on Hebrew culture and mythology. True, it might use a few things taken from ancient pagan cultures, but that doesn't mean they view them the same way. Symbols change, and here and there the Christians have their own meaning different from what it was prior.
Things like sacrifice have been done by every culture since the dawn of man. Paganism - both modern and ancient - cannot claim it exclusively. It is as preposterous as Christians claiming that morality and charity are Christian things.
We have our symbols, our holidays, our worship and our observation; let the Christians have theirs.
That said...
Nothing from Carlin will have one iota of truth about Christianity.
You'd be surprised. You seem to be gripped in the delusion that non-Christians know nothing of Christianity, ignoring the fact that many non-Christians were either once practicing Christians themselves, or were raised in Christianity, or even have studied the religion extensively. Not all who know believe, hard as that may be for some to come to terms with.
For example, St Bridget. No such saint ever actually existed--not as a human Mother Superior, that is. Rather, the Celtic goddess Brighid was stolen, reduced, and reimaged. No longer a goddess, she became a Mother Superior of a convent. Her priestesses became nuns. Her attributes and myths became miracles.
Easter, as it's been mentioned, is a famous example. The only element of Easter that is decidedly Christian is the resurrection. Easter Egg hunts and the accompanying imagery observe the fertility worships of Ostara, the Spring Equinox. Even the date is heavily reliant on Ostara, as it's the first Sunday after the full moon nearest the Equinox.
Mistletoe, used often in Christmas celebrations, is used without understanding. Yet it's meaning for the Yuletide* has much significance to Yule, as it is the weapon with which Hodr slew Baldur, and the death of the Summer God brings about the Winter.
*Yule, as well as the spelling of Jol, has come to mean "Christmas." Yet it's meaning still remains as "Wheel", signifying the end of the yearly wheel cycle. The name, in meaning, has nothing to do with Christmas or Jesus, yet has been made to mean so. It would be like Eucharist coming to mean any wafer snack, despite plainly being defined as "thanksgiving".
Hell* is a concept that has been taken from the Hebrew
sheol and the Greek Hades - or more properly Tartarus, as Hell is specified for punishment. *The name "Hell" itself is stolen from the Norse Hel, which similar to Hades is simply the afterlife underworld of the common dead.
There was even a time, early in the history of Christianity, when Rome was first including the fledgling Jewish sect in their numerous religions. There is a mosaic somewhere out there that depicts Orpheus, Apollo, and Jesus all in the same "good shepherd" figure. Much of Christian imagery is thus based on Roman gods and representation. Even the common depiction of Jesus is that of Cesare Borgia, the nephew of a Pope, not true to what Jesus would have actually looked like.
If a religion includes paganism, it is man-made and not from God,
All religions are man-made. Nor does Paganism have scripture or holy texts; our religions are built upon what we use, what we live, and what we observe daily.
Paganism has false gods and may have many gods.
As Scotsman also said, what makes a god false? "Not Abraham's god" isn't really good enough, as his identity is a) from a polytheistic culture, and b) veiled to the point of obscurity. If false is to mean untruthful...
How do you know the gods of other religions are real?
You may be surprised to hear, but most Pagans recognize your god. They recognize other gods, as well. We simply worship our gods, not yours or theirs.
I am not Catholic and do not accept the idea of a pope.
I wonder why, as it's biblically supported.
If there is paganism in Catholicism, that is not my problem.
Oh, but it is. All of Christianity is built off Catholicism, and inevitably carries their beliefs with them.
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Yes, Jesus has gained Sun deity attributes, similar to Elijah being associated with deities such as Zeus and Perun.
Перун is associated with Elijah? Eh... That doesn't surprise me, but makes me groan.
Im serious. Can any mainstream christian prove that christian history has no mix with religions prior and surrounding the apostles immediate environment?
