Quote Originally Posted by Lulu
Why are major Christian holidays layered on older Pagan festivals? The central reason is that as Christianity was struggling for acceptance in Europe, the country-folk would not give up their age-old traditions. By blending the old with the new, it was easier for the Church to convert the locals.
Lulu, you're right, but it goes even further than that. There are some who would argue, and successfully I might add, that the entire set of festivals and rituals that are the basis for Christianity are all of pagan origin.

There once was man who was born of a virgin mother, and on his birth day a star appeared in the sky, which led many nobles to him. They presented him with rich gifts and predicted that he would be a great leader. When he was around 12 years old, he went to the local tremple and argued with the elders on key theological points. the rest of his life until he was around 30 is virtually unknown to us. At that point, he went to big cities and gathered a group of 12 disciples and taught them his ways, and told them to spread his message across the world. One night, he even went to the top of a little hill and prayed, and was transfigured in front of all his followers.

Familiar story, isn't it? That's pretty much the life of Buddha, and his religion grew out of Hindusim, just as Christianity grew out of Judaeism. People like Horus and Osiris in Ancient Egypt, Romulus in Ancient Rome, Herakles, Adonis and Orpheus in Ancient Greece, along with Thor, son of Odin, Mithras, Tammuz and scores of others (all the objects of old cults) have all lead an almost identical life. What can we make of that?