The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Hi all,

Recently I watched a documentary entitled ‘Gods and Monsters’ narrated by Tony Robinson and afterwards I was left pondering about our ancestors religious beliefs or practices and if any aspects of their religion (some of which were extremely brutal) have survived into todays society? For instance some of the past’s ‘pagan’ festivals such as Samhain have survived to become today Halloween and where do you think the traditional throwing salt over your left shoulder practice came from?

Also how do you think past inhabitants or invaders religious beliefs have impacted on society in the past centuries and into today’s world? For instance when the Vikings invaded Christian Britain and Europe do you think their pagan beliefs were integrated in any way into the lands they conquered?

Does anyone have any thoughts or information on this subject?

Seems to me you have asked and correctly answered your own question.

Any time you have two diverse cultures merging for whatever reason, you're going to find inter-cultural exchanges on all levels, not just as regards religion but in every conceivable area of life. You've given a couple examples and, obviously, hundreds if not thousands more could be provided. One of these easiest seen (or rather, heard) is that of language. English is a melting pot of other languages to the extent that words we consider wholly English find their actual origins in German, French, Dutch, Spanish, etc., without us even realizing it. Same with religion, too, of course.

Hi Severus,

Thanks for your support and encouragement for this subject, not to mention the fascinating historical facts you have given regarding the origin of specific words in the English language;)

As a student of history and sociology I find topics such as this very interesting and a great starting point for some conversion and debate.

History is the interaction of people and their cultures. Religion is an element of culture and will carry it's belief structure within it. So it's no surprise that the formation of a localized religions had the greatest sustained influence on history.

In Ancient times religions impact is unavoidable. The practice of keeping the Gods happy was a necessary element to every day life. When foreigners came into a new region they brought a different set of beliefs and different gods will mean different laws. Conflict and war is the result. If you win the war it's your laws and your beliefs that survive with you. Ask yourself why you don't see people worshiping Mayan Gods today... because the Conquistadors wiped them out and destroyed their heritage.

You can look at any pivotal point in history and without a doubt there will be a religious aspect to it's story.

Correction:

The Aztec civilization and it's gods were what I mean to write... I was in the thread "Signs" and had Mayans on the brain. lol

There are so many different beliefs and Religions, kinda like music and all the genres and sub genres. Religion just like music cause's so many arguments and fights over what it better. It seems so many religious wars between conflicting countries are trying to prove whose religion is more peaceful. Those who can listen and take on board a wide variety of beliefs and respect all forms will be successful and peacemakers. Until the world can achieve this, war will always plague the earth.

I also read that Jesus was born in the middle of the year June/July but the Catholics changed it to December to cover up the pagan festival where they would dance around a fire naked and have a merry good time =)

Hmmm sorry i think i posted from a different question

there are still people who practice traditional pagan religions, Wicca is a common one. They just hide in the shadows a lot because they get made fun of and misunderstood for what they believe in. That and they don't have missionaries or try to get people to convert or join, one is left to find their way to that path on their own so it's less spoken about in society

Wicca is said to be in some cases the 1st known relgion and if you look in other religions you can find small influences like the alter and white candles. Another big one is christmas. For those who celebrate Yule it's the goddess giving birth to the god. For those of christian faiths its the birth of their savior or what ever you want to call jeasus

Absolutely!!!

Many pagans have a mix of gods and goddesses that can be comared and in a way interpreted to be the same with a different name. Then you also have people like me. I was raised Catholic, my best friends are a Muslim and a Jew, I myself have chosen a pagan path. I worship Durga (a Hindu goddess) Nyx(a Greek goddess) and several others. While I also show my repect to the muslim god the Jewish god and the god of Christianity.

most of our holidays are based on pagen holidays, for instance christmas was put on the 25th of december because it also was used for the winter solecist

We all know that the basic adverse religions are pagan versus christian belief. The thing I am trying to get across is that it isn't just the belief system that has passed down. It is also the hate. Christians call the pagans evil. Pagans do not put any credibility into the christian belief. In my opinion, the hate between the religions has also passed down. The difference between the two is that the pagans leave the Christians alone. And the Christians will go out of their way to hurt a pagans.