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	Christianity as Mystery Religion
		The Christian religion is also about individuals being added to the saved collective; individuals are chosen by the godman to be drawn into and incorporated into his transpersonal, mystical collective body: these individuals were chosen by the godman and brought to successfully participate in his mysteries.
		The Christian religion is a Hellenistic mystery cult, or rather, was based on the same sacred meal techniques and experiences and mythic techniques as both the Hellenistic mysteries and the Jewish esoteric sects.
		I propose that the Hellenistic world considered the Christian mystery more sophisticated and more of a pure mystery than the too obviously mythic Greek mystery religions which simply taught mythic stories as stories, not to be taken for reality, and then revealed the real meaning that had obviously been missing.
	www.egodeath.com /ChristianityAsMysteryReligion.htm (0 words)

	Mystery Religion - Search Results - MSN Encarta
		Mystery Religion, any of various cults of the ancient world that were open only to the initiated.
		The earliest and most important Greek mysteries were the Orphic, the Eleusinian, and the Dionysiac.
		The Orphic mysteries were those of a mystic cult...
	encarta.msn.com /Mystery_Religion.html (123 words)

	Christianity As A Mystery Religion - Ancient Roman Empire Forums
		Although spirituality was undoubtedly an aspect of ancient Roman mystery religions, the surviving evidence points primarily to ritual actions with symbolic meaning as comprising the core of the ritual activity of these religions, especially the more popular, better known ones.
		As in the mystery religions, special ritual objects (the cup and bread) were revealed at the end of a long ritual only to those properly initiated.
		So that the mystery of the crucifixion and resurrection (with emphasis on the former); jesus meeting with Nicodemus by night, in which he stated the need to be reborn of water and the spirit; are to me examples of this.
	www.unrv.com /forum/index.php?showtopic=3370&st=0 (3147 words)

	[No title]
		As devotees of the mysteries became increasingly eclectic in their beliefs and practices, new and odd combinations of the older mysteries began to emerge.
		The 25th of December was considered the birthday of Mithras, a savior figure of a greco-roman mystery religion that was terribly popular with the Roman Legions.
		Mithraism was a man's religion (no women could be initiated and celebrate the mysteries); it pre-dates Christianity by several centuries; and was perhaps Christianity's fiercest competitor for the soul of the Roman Empire.
	www.lycos.com /info/mystery-religion--roman-empire.html (568 words)

	Wicca 101A - A Goddess Spirituality Course
		A Mystery Religion was a religion of Redemption.
		A mystery religion was a personal religion, to which membership was open, not by accident of birth into any particular class, but by a religious rebirth.
		A mystery religion, as a personal religion, presents another side, which is the necessary compliment of an individualistic religion; that is, it takes on the character of a cosmic religion.
	www.unc.edu /~reddeer/gs_course/lesson4.html (4309 words)

	Mystery and Promise: A Theology of Revelation
		Intuitions of mystery are universally possible and not confined to specific cultural-linguistic frameworks, simply by virtue of the fact that all people have limit-experiences and occasionally at least ask the limit-questions that transport us beyond the confines of the everyday.
		This dimension of mystery is not a "common essence." However, the experience of limits is universal in human experience, so it seems reasonable to suppose that all religions bear some relationship to this experience.
		Idolatry is the elevation of a particular and relative approach to mystery to the status of sole and exclusive representation of it.
	www.religion-online.org /showchapter.asp?title=1947&C=1797 (9121 words)

	AccordingtotheScriptures.org :: The Mystery of Religion
		The religion of Nimrod was likely quite developed before God judged the post-Flood population, confusing their original language into a great babble of different dialects, evidently one per family, “and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth ” (Genesis 11:9).
		Her outward appearance may have been attractive and very ornate (Revelation 17:4), with intricate ceremony and pompous ritual, such as would appeal to the flesh and the carnal mind, but poison was on her lips for all who were seduced by her.
		As the religion of Nimrod developed, with his great tower dedicated to the heavens, the worship of the sun and the moon, and individual stars and planets became popular, each representing a god.
	www.accordingtothescriptures.org /doctrine/mysteryreligion.html (4470 words)

	[No title]
		The mystery religions were not, of course, the only manifestations of the religious spirit in the eastern Roman Empire.
		As a version of the Roman Mystery religions combined with Jewish beliefs, Christianity started out as a gnostic movement that did not believe in a literal Jesus.
		The Orphic cult or mystery religion was named after its supposed founder, the mythical Thracian singer, Orpheus, who was either the son of the god Apollo or that of the Thracian king Oeagrus.
	www.lycos.com /info/mystery-religion.html (409 words)

	What is a Mystery School
		Mystery schools, or religions, were popularized in history and literature during hellenistic times, but their origins are as old as the earliest civilizations.
		The word "mystery" is derived from the Greek myein, "to close", for the rites of the mysteries were closed to the uninitiate.
		I feel that a mystery religion is a spiritual tradition that worships the trinity as manifest in its various aspects, and honors the myth of birth, death and resurrection as reflected in the cycle of the seasons.
	www.mindspring.com /~pmarsh/mystery.html (1058 words)

	POCM > Getting Started > ancient religion for dummies
		And of course the Mysteries weren't exclusive—you could sacrifice to Isis at the town's civic festival and also participate in Her mysteries.
		is in line with contemporary mysteries, which purported to represent the sufferings and triumph of a god, in which his worshipers sympathized and shared....
		The Eucharist is a mystery, as mysteries were then understood, and Christianity, the heir of Judaism, has also an essential spiritual continuity with Hellenistic religion.
	www.medmalexperts.com /POCM/getting_started_ancient_mystery_religions.html (1234 words)

	500215: The Influence of the Mystery Religions on Christianity
		This triumph may be attributed in part to the fact that Christianity took from its opponents their own weapons, and used them: the better elements of the mystery religions were transferred to the new religion.
		The greatest influence of the mystery religions on Christianity lies in a different direction from that of doctrine and ritual.
		Christianity was truly indebted to the mystery religions for this contribution, for they had done this part of the groundwork and thus opened the way for Christian missionary work.
	www.stanford.edu /group/King/publications/papers/vol1/500215-The_Influence_of_the_Mystery_Religions_on_Christianity.htm (5110 words)

	Mystery Religions - Christianity Revealed - AskWhy! Publications
		The first religions in the culture that was to dominate the Mediterranean began as separate urban religions of the Greek city states.
		The mystery religions are distinguished by the desire of their adherents to achieve a closer personal relationship with God.
		Today Mystery Religions are seen only in terms of what we can be certain of, ritual initiation, participation in the sacraments, moral or ascetical requirements, mutual aid among members, obedience to the leader and certain secret traditions.
	essenes.net /m58.htm (18979 words)

	Probe Ministries - Paul and the Mystery Religions
		The mere fact that other religions may have had a god who died and then came back to life in some manner does not mean that this was the source of Christian ideas, even if it can be shown that the apostles knew of this other set of beliefs.
		The very nature of the mystery cults, with the conflicting pantheon of deities and mythical beings, makes it highly unlikely that the strict monotheism and the body of doctrines found in the New Testament would be their source.
		The claim that the doctrines of Christianity had a strong dependency on the mystery religions stands on shaky ground and should be investigated thoroughly before one rejects the good news of the New Testament writers.
	www.probe.org /theology-and-philosophy/theology---bible/paul-and-the-mystery-religions.html (2401 words)

	mystery religion - Encyclopedia.com
		Derived from primitive tribal ceremonies, mystery religions reached their peak of popularity in Greece in the first three centuries.
		The cult of Demeter produced the most famous of the mystery religions, the Eleusinian Mysteries, as well as the Andania mysteries.
		Mystery cults also attached to Attis, Isis, and Jupiter Dolichenus, among others.
	www.encyclopedia.com /doc/1B1-372935.html (527 words)

	TVM Entry Floor: Roman Olympian and Mystery Religion
		The Roman religion was not based on any central belief, but rather on a mixture of fragmented rituals, taboos, superstitions, and traditions which they collected over the years from a number of other cultures.
		To the Romans, religion was contractual relationship between mankind and the forces which were believed to control people's existence and well-being.
		In the fourth century the Judaic/Christian Religion won control of the Roman state, and the old Olympian state religion was abandoned.
	www.tigtail.org /TIG/S_View/TVM/E/Ancient/Roman/roman_gods.html (750 words)

	Wicca 101 - A Mystery Religion (Site not responding. Last check: )
		Simply saying that Wicca is a Mystery Religion doesn't do much to explain what a Mystery Religion is, even stating other examples of Religions that are and are not mysteries wouldn't dispel much of the confusion.
		A Mystery Religion is a religion where the rules are not undisputable facts that were handed down by God/the Pope/the Grand poohbah, the rules and lessons of the religion are instead self-evident aspects of the world around us.
		This being said many aspects of our religion can be taken on more than one level, as one gains a deeper attunement to the world around us or move through different stages of life we can learn different lessons from such simple things as the wheel of the year.
	home1.gte.net /~vze3vv77/mystery02.htm (437 words)

	Mystery Babylon the Great Exposed
		It is from Rome that the various Babylonian religions will be amalgamated to produce a global religion to oppose the true Gospel and persecute the true servants of God.
		Another branch of the Babylonian mystery religion is called 'Freemasonry' and it has much in common with the Catholic church which controls it.
		The public is given the impression that the Catholic Church is opposed to this movement yet many members of her ruling priesthood are members of this occult organization.
	www.crossspot.net /ldprophet/Mystery-Babylon.htm (1385 words)

	Dispensing with monotheism: An antireligious guide
		Mystery religions that I refer to are those such as found in the Roman Empire around the middle East before and during the early current era.
		A religion was a Mystery Religion if only the initiates were allowed to know the keys with which to decode the Outer Mysteries.
		Although Satanism may not be a 'mystery religion' in the fullest sense of the term, it effectively operates as one.
	www.dpjs.co.uk /mystery.html (1295 words)

	The Watchman Expositor: Index of Cults and Religions
		There are a number of versions or sects of Buddhism generally teaching paths to Nirvana (enlightenment or bliss) though the four noble truths (recognizing existence and source of suffering) and the eightfold path (correct understanding, behavior and meditation).
		He and his work, which is frequently supportive of new religions, are often used by alternative religious groups to support their activities when pursuing governmental recognition.
		Christianity, Jesus Christ: Major world religion developed in the first century AD based on the belief that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah or Christ of Israel.
	www.watchman.org /cat95.htm (14256 words)

	POCM > Getting Started > ancient religion for dummies
		You could be -- and people were -- initiated in the Mysteries of Isis, and the Mysteries of Dionysus, and the Mysteries of Eleusis.
		And of course the Mysteries weren't exclusive -- you could sacrifice to Isis at the town's civic festival and also participate in Her mysteries.
		And there were hundreds of mystery religions -- world class mainstream scholar Walter Burkert estimates 600.
	www.entheology.org /POCM/getting_started_ancient_religion_for_dummies.html (1838 words)

	MYSTERY RELIGION...HISTORY LESSONS FROM BABEL>>>>RANGERIDER
		He constructed a religion that included deification and worship of the emperor (himself), worship of Satan and his demons, and star-worship (corrupted from a pure antediluvian astronomy{{this is meaning before the Flood of Noah>>>>>>>RR).
		A key unifying factor in his religion was to be an astronomical/astrological observatory built upon the pinnacle of a pyramid, or tower, at Babel.
		As a note on the Babylonian mystery religion, the original cult of the mother and child, Semiramis and Tammuz, became later Isis and Osiris, Venus and Adonis, the madonna and child in various cultures down to this day.
	www.unsolvedmysteries.com /usm31187.html (6128 words)

	Mystery Religion Bibliography
		Mystery Religions: Demeter and Persephone: The Eleusinian Mysteries Bibliography
		Keller, Mara Lynn, “The Eleusinian mysteries of Demeter and Persephone: fertility, sexuality, and rebirth,” Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion v.4 (Spring 1988) p.27-54.
		Interpreting early Hellenistic Religion: a study based on the mystery cult of Demeter and the cult of Isis, Helsinki: Suomen Ateenan-instituutin saatio, 1996.
	www.albany.edu /faculty/lr618/tracybib.html (1752 words)

	Mystery Religions
		Oriental religions came to Rome and the western provinces during the late Republic and early Empire, that is, from about the middle of the first century BC to the middle of the first century AD.
		They were called mystery religions because they were secretive, often shrouded in a body of rituals not to be revealed to the uninitiated.
		However, other cults also appealed to a great number of Romans, such as the cult of the mother-goddess Isis and her son Osiris from Egypt, the cult of Dionysius from Greece, and the cult of Mithra from Persia.
	student.maxwell.syr.edu /anderson/mystery_religions.htm (1034 words)

	Pagan Christs (Site not responding. Last check: )
		Pagan writers wrote about a Pagan Mystery God "incognito, disguised as a man"; about Pagan Gods dying and being reborn with the meaning that "the God is saved, and we shall have salvation.
		You could be -- and people were -- initiated in the Mysteries of Isis, and the Mysteries of Dionysus, and the Mysteries of Eleusis.
		And of course the Mysteries weren't exclusive -- you could sacrifice to Isis at the town's civic festival and also participate in Her mysteries.
	home.earthlink.net /~pgwhacker/ChristianOrigins/PaganChrists_mysteries.html (376 words)

	Mysteries
		I have only chosen to discuss certain mystery religions as a background, being more interested with the myths, and not their rites and customs.
		The Eleusinian Mysteries centred on the belief in the agricultural fertility and the cycle of the seasons, which inclued the myth of two goddesses, Demeter and her daughter, Kore, or Persephone as she was often known as the goddess of the Underworld.
		The Orphic Mysteries was said to have being founded by the mythical singer, Orpheus, though the earliest knowledge about this cult was only known to exist as early as the 6th century BC.
	www.timelessmyths.com /classical/mysteries.html (3303 words)

	Amazon.com: Ancient Mystery Cults (Carl Newell Jackson Lectures): Books: Walter Burkert (Site not responding. Last check: )
		Secret mystery cults flourished within the larger culture of the public religion of Greece and Rome for roughly a thousand years.
		In defining the mysteries and describing their rituals, membership, organization, and dissemination, Walter Burkert displays the remarkable erudition we have come to expect of him; he also shows sensitivity and sympathy in interpreting the experiences and motivations of the devotees.
		I recommend it to any and all students of Greek religion who are looking to expand their knowledge of the particulars of mystery cults and what they were all about.
	www.amazon.com /Ancient-Mystery-Newell-Jackson-Lectures/dp/0674033876 (1669 words)

	Reason Magazine - Inside the Spiritual Jacuzzi
		Most people do not feel the need to be the authors of their own religions, though quite a few are happy to be the editors.
		Pagan fundamentalists who insist their religion is centuries old certainly exist, but even in the 1970s mavericks such as Isaac Bonewitz, the Berkeley-based Druid, made a point of arguing that the Wiccan origin story was inaccurate.
		Here Davis found the idea that, in his words, "the high point of mysticism is freedom from the law within a religion that is rule-constricted." The result, needless to say, was not membership at a local mosque, though Davis did become briefly entwined with the local Ismaili community.
	www.reason.com /news/show/28779.html (4159 words)

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