There seem to be a number of factual errors in this thread which it benefits no-one to allow to circulate further. I respond to this as just one of
those saying more or less the same, and I'm sure written all in good faith.
Originally posted by DenyAllKnowledge
I was under the impression that the cult of Mithras, which was popular within the Roman army, was one of the biggest influences on early Christianity.
Mainly due to the fact that Emperor Constantine needed the support of the army when he decided to make Christianity the official state religion.
There are other links with Mithradites, he was born on the 25th of December, baptism (although Christians use water instead of blood!) and Sunday as a
holy day. On 6 January following his birth, the infant Mithras was visited by Magi. Unusual coincidences eh?
The coincidences are so 'unusual' that they should make us suspicious. In fact
1. There is nothing in ancient literature that specifies any specific 'birthday' of Mithras.
2. There is no evidence of Mithras-worship involving baptisms (itself a pretty general analogy, based on the idea of a ritual bath -- do we presume
every cult all around the world having such a thing is derived from Mithras?) which predates Christianity.
3. I do not find any ancient literary mention of the celebration of Sunday by followers of Mithras, although, as a sun-cult, it is possible that they
did in some (not now recorded) manner.
4. There is no record of any 'visit of the Magi' to Mithras in ancient literature.
5. Constantine did not make Christianity the state religion. There is no text that mentions Mithras and Constantine at the same time, never mind
states a connection.
I'm sorry to sound like a wet blanket. I got tired of these rumours -- which don't actually tell you anything about Mithras, notice -- some time
ago, and looked up all the ancient mentions of Mithras. Here they are:
www.tertullian.org...
I hope that helps.
All the best,
Roger Pearse