[Buddha-l] Pure Land

[Steven Rhodes]

Dear Richard,

I have no doubt that Dec. 25 was Mithras' birthday or that it was the 
winter solstice on the old Roman calendar.  What I'm particularly 
interested in is the theory that the Christians intentionally chose this 
date for "Christmas" so as to keep their adherents occupied on that day 
(and therefore not in a Mithraeum).  I doubt that the Catholic 
Encyclopedia would be very forthcoming on this matter.

Steve


Richard Hayes wrote:

>On Wednesday 11 July 2007 10:31, Steven Rhodes wrote:
>  
>
>>Dear Richard,
>>
>>I was told in a medieval history class long ago, but have never seen it
>>in print, that Dec. 25 was in fact the winter solstice in the old Roman
>>calendar, and that the Christians chose this day for  "Christmas" to
>>keep their adherents from being tempted to go to the local Mithraeum on
>>the same day.  Perhaps others on the list have seen this theory in print
>>(?).
>>    
>>
>
>I have seen in print that December 25 was celebrated as Mithra's birthdate. 
>Unfortunately, I recently sold the book in which I read this. If you will 
>accept an Internet reference as an ersatz for a print reference, the Catholic 
>encyclopedia has quite a long and informative article on the history of 
>speculations that Christianity had borrowed important elements from 
>Mithraism. The first people to write about that topic were some of the Church 
>Fathers, such as Tertullian. You can read more at 
>http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10402a.htm (which cites the book that I 
>recently sold, which was my source).
>
>  
>