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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Bruce Schlickbernd writes:
> In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Pedro Silva writes:
>
> > Not only "celtics" have criptic-pagan traditions (if the term can be used).
> > If you look at the way that catholic mediterranean cultures revere the many
> > saints, you may find it as a late expression of roman polytheism...
> > For instance, the patron saint of a city is the evolution of the roman
> > patron god of the same city, only the "rank" was altered. Of course, if you
> > go around asking people *why* they tribute the saint of their choice the way
> > they do, they won't probably explain it this way - and in all truth, it is
> > not really important: as long as everyone feels better, there is no reason
> > to mess with their beliefs. Who cares, really?
>
>
>
> Absolutely to all that. I mention the the Celtic (Druidic) traditions
> because they are the ones that permeate the English speaking world.
(Not only the English speaking world - the Atlantic Coast of mainland Europe
still retains lots of celtic traditions, many of which later influenced
local christian communities :-)
> Praying
> to Saints for intervention is little removed from Roman ancestor worship
> that were elevated to minor dieties. Both helped bridge the (perceived) gap
> between god and man - the need was the same. We even see, going back to the
> Celtic, pagan gods such as Brigid becoming a saint. Virtually every culture
> has older traditions grafted onto Christianity.
True indeed.
In fact, I believe that the Papacy has in recent times accepted this natural
sincretism as inevitable - Mass celebrations in Africa have had some local
traditions included in the catholic cult. It may have taken a while to
realize that these little expressions of diversity will only make the
services more interesting religious experiences, but the step was taken and
the complaining voices don't seem to be many. And why should anyone
complain? What is inportant in Christianity is the overall message, not the
means to transmit it (IMHO)...
Pedro
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Re: slight
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| (...) Absolutely to all that. I mention the the Celtic (Druidic) traditions because they are the ones that permeate the English speaking world. Praying to Saints for intervention is little removed from Roman ancestor worship that were elevated to (...) (22 years ago, 13-Jul-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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