THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC
Letters to the Editor

Simmer down and listen up, Christians
Dec. 31, 2005

Simmer down, Christians. Celebrate religion on faith, not fact.
("Where would we be without Jesus?" Letters, Wednesday.)*

Agreed: Commercialization and overimbibing are part of the season we could do without. However, "the pagan traditions that have encroached upon Christianity" is not only an intolerant statement, but one lacking in historic perspective.

Fact: Pre-Jesus, Roman soldiers worshiped Mithras, who was born in a stable to a virgin on Dec. 25.

Fact: Isis, the great Egyptian Goddess, had absorbed Hellenistic qualities by the time of Roman rule, and was the most popular divinity in the Mediterranean basin. In her temples, Isis was often depicted with her son, Horus, on her lap. (Horus was conceived with a revivified god.)

As Christianity "encroached," statues of Isis with Horus were repainted and renamed, Mary and Jesus. Numerous myths recount a sacrificed or slain god who is resurrected through the efforts of a goddess; Isis/Osiris and Inanna/Dummuz (Sumerian) are two well-known. Historians agree that to make Christianity more palatable to the masses, the church absorbed ancient traditions and gods.

Pagan traditions are as valid as other spiritual paths, and instead of insisting that their path is the only one, isn't it about time that Christians develop respect for what others believe? - Joan Robinson-Blumit, Phoenix

* Where would we be without Jesus?
Dec. 28, 2005

Regarding "How would Jesus celebrate?" (Editorial, Sunday):

Your observations on how Jesus would celebrate his birthday were well stated.

It's hard to imagine a Christmas season without the seductions of the merchants and their advertisers, the drunkenness of the revelers and the pagan traditions that have encroached upon Christianity.

It would be a great blessing if humanity could for once see the world, Jesus and his religion through the eyes of Joseph and Mary, the shepherds of Bethlehem or those wise men who knelt before the babe and worshiped him.

Those inclined to listen to the secularists should consider what the consequences would be should Christ be excised from the record of our Western civilization. - John Waddey, Anthem