At
the insistence of the Roman emperor, Constantine, and for the purpose of establishing unity between Christianity and Pagan beliefs, Jesus was declared to be coequal, co-eternal, and con-substantial with God.
Constantine made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire. Before Constantin's rule the Christians suffered much persecution at the hands of Rome.
Of two thousand and forty eight (2048) bishops were invited to the council, the pagan emperor who converted to Christianity for political reason disqualified 1730 from having voice in deciding questions. Although the emperor did not decide the creed, he in fact influenced it indirectly by deciding who is to decide on the creed. The result is the Nicene Creed which is an anathema to Unitarian belief championed by Arius. After a long debate, a vote was finally taken and it was with a majority show of hands ( ⇛161 votes for and 157 votes against).
Pagan roots of Christianity
► Attis - Phrygia:
Born of the virgin Nana on December 25.
He was both the Father and the Divine Son.
He was a savior crucified on a tree for the salvation of mankind.
He was buried but on the third day the priests found the tomb empty
He had arisen from the dead (on March 25th).
He followers were baptized in blood, thereby washing away their sins
► Dionysus - Greece
Born of a Virgin on December 25th
He was crucified on a cross
His followers ate sacred meal that became the body of the god.
He rose from the dead March 25th.
He was called the ram and lamb's and was called "King of Kings" "Only Begotten Son" "Savior" "Redeemer" "Sin bearer" "Anointed One" the "Alpha and Omega."
► Heracles - Greece
Born at the winter equinox of a virgin who refrained from sex with her until her god-begotten child was born
He was sacrificed at the spring equinox.
He was called "Savior" "Only begotten" "Prince of Peace"
► Osiris - Egypt
Ring of Bell.
Sprinkling of holy water.
Burning of candles.
Baptisms.
Pine tree, for his birthday.
► Mithra - Persia
He was born of a virgin on December 25th.
He was buried in a tomb and after three days he rose again.
He was considered "the Way, the Truth and the Light, the Redeemer, the Savior
He was identified with both the Lion and the Lamb.
His sacred day was Sunday, "the Lord's Day,"
Mithra had his principal festival on what was later to become Easter, at which time he was resurrected.
► Prometheus - Greece
Prometheus descended from heaven as God incarnate as man, to save mankind.
He was crucified, suffered and rose from the dead.
He was called the Logos or Word.
Trinities were popular in pagan sects before Christianity Some of the well known trinity gods are:
● The Classical Greek Olympic triad of Zeus (king of the gods), Athena (goddess of war and intelect) and Apollo (god of the sun, culture and music)
● The Delian chief triad of Leto (mother), Artemis (daughter) and Apollo (son)
● The Famous Delian triad of Athena, Zeus,Hera and Heracles
● In ancient Egypt there were many triads, the most famous among them that of Osiris (man), Isis (wife), and Horus (son), local triads like the Theban triad of Amun, Mut and Khonsu and the Memphite triad of Ptah, Sekhmet and Nefertem, the sun-god Ra, whose form in the morning was Kheper, at noon Re-Horakhty and in the evening Atum, and many others.
● The Roman Capitoline Triad of Jupiter (father), Juno (wife), and Minerva (daughter).
● The Roman plebeian triad of Ceres, Liber Pater and Libera (or its Greek counterpart with Demeter, Dionysus and Kore).
● Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (Trimurti) in Hindu mythology.
● Mitra, Indra, and Varuna in early vedic Hinduism.
[Timothy Freke & Peter Gandy, "The Jesus Mysteries: Was the 'original Jesus' a Pagan god?" Acacia Press, (1999).]
