The Rest Is History 402. Christmas: Pagan or Christian?
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Dec 25, 2023 Delve into the intriguing origins of Christmas and its connections to pagan traditions. Discover the influence of the cult of Mithras and why December 25th was chosen for celebrating Christ. Explore the revelry of Saturnalia and how its customs have shaped modern festivities. Unpack the complexities of early Christian adaptations of ancient rituals, and enjoy a mix of humor and critique as the hosts dissect myths surrounding this beloved holiday.
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The Da Vinci Code's Christmas Claim
- Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code claims Mithras, Osiris, Adonis, Dionysus, and Krishna share birthdates with Jesus.
- The hosts explore this claim's validity regarding Christmas's origins.
Christmas: A Roman Festival
- Christmas is a Roman festival due to Christianity's origins within the Roman Empire.
- However, its Roman origins don't automatically make it pagan.
Mithras: An Orientalist Cult?
- The Roman Mithras cult, popular amongst officers, might not predate Christianity.
- It likely originated in 1st-century Rome, adopting the name "Mithras" from a Persian deity for exotic appeal.
