--- Patrick Nugent <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Jim Connoly wrote:
>
>
> >This is just a thought, but is it possible that the
> >Christian faith in late and sub- Roman Britain, had
> >become part of a multithestic faith. What I mean is
> >that isn't it possible that the Christian God was
> >taken to be part of a pantheon including other gads
> >from Saturn to Mithras, and Isis.
> >
> >Because of this mix up would it then be easier for
> >Bede to ignore this 'paganism' completely,
> rendering
> >the advent of Augustine much more important that it
> >may have seemed at the time.
>
>
> Curious idea. I'd want to see some evidence,
> archaeological or literary.
> I must admit skepticism.
>
Patrick,
I must admit that I have little evidence of this
practice, but I do find it interesting that Raedwald
combined both Christian and *Pagan* altars in the same
temples. I also think it intriguing that Gregory
suggests the re dedication of pagan sites to be used
as Christian centres of worship. I realise that this
is conjectural, but would this process not be easier
if these buildings already combined a Christian
element.
My fear is that we look at the conversion period
through Christianity tinted sun glasses. To us it
seems bizzare that altars to other faiths could have a
place in a Christian place of worship. I think we view
this from the wrong perspective. Perhaps amongst the
multi theistic, pre-Augustinian, population it was
acceptable to treat the Christian God as one of many
equally powerful deities, left over from the late
Roman period.
Jim
> __________________________________
> Patrick J. Nugent
> Earlham College
> Richmond, Indiana 47374 USA
>
> (765) 983-1413
> [log in to unmask]
> __________________________________
>
=====
All that is gold does not glitter, : Jim Connolly
not all those who wander are lost; : 2 Craighall Ave
The old that is strong does not wither, : Levenshulme
Deep roots are not reached by frost. : Manc. M19 2BR
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|