Why Fundamentalism is in Error

This question and answer exchange from Bishop John Shelby Spong's weekly newsletter demonstrates the idiocy of applying the Bible literally. It also shows why the Christianists find Spong so frightening. Knowledge, particularly a knowledge of history and religions of the past, are truly threatening to those who prefer to blindly believe in ignorance, with no thought process whatsoever. Spong's writings, especially those in support of gay Christians were an immense help to me in reconciling my sexual orientation with believing in Christ. Here is the newsletter:

D. R. Marsh from the Internet writes:

I am a member of the Spiritual Quest group at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. One of the topics we have been studying is the ancient Wheel of the Year and the relationships of pagan beliefs, customs, and celebrations to those of Christianity. At the vernal equinox, we found a variety of very interesting stories, one of which follows: In Rome, about 200 years before the birth of Christ, there was a wide range of what we today would call "mystery cults." Attis and Cybele held their vernal equinox rituals at the same place where St. Peter's Basilica now stands in the Vatican - the center of Catholicism today. Attis was also known under various names such as Osiris, Dionysus, Tammuz, and Orpheus. The Attis and Cybele festival had a death or day of blood, three days of semi-death, then a return to life for the deceased. Attis' mother was called Nana and she was a virgin - no surprise there. Attis was crucified on a pine tree and his followers ate his body; his blood was spilled or released to renew/redeem the earth. Attis was both a sacrificial victim and a savior, his death and re-birth intended to bring salvation to mankind. Most researchers will declare that Attis is clearly the prototype for Christ. (This information is from Ireland's Druidschool Web site). It appears that the Christian churches tried to win over the pagans by taking over or blending in with their celebrations at these particular times of the year pertaining to the sun, moon, fertility, harvest, and otherworldly observances like Halloween. Does the church calendar have any meaning? Does it really matter? How does all this complicate our understanding of God, Jesus, and our ministry in the world? And, lastly, what do you think about it?

Dear D. R.,

It is now quite obvious that as Christianity moved out of its Jewish womb into the Mediterranean world, it was introduced to, conformed with and shaped by the culture.

For example, the virgin birth did not enter the Christian story until the 9th decade. There were lots of virgin birth stories in the pagan religions of the Empire. They were clearly mythological interpretive devices. The cannibalistic ideas associated with the Christian Eucharist in which the flesh and blood of the savior figure are eaten and drunk clearly have pagan origins. The account of a hero figure dying and returning from death is also present in many ancient pagan sources. Easter was a pagan word for spring and the return of the earth to life after the winter. That is why the crucifixion of Jesus was moved to the season of the Passover so that his victory over death could be celebrated at the same time the forms of life showed victory over the death of winter by coming to life again.

Christmas and Hannukah were attached to the return of the sun from its retreat into darkness. Hence both celebrations come at or near the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Every religious system is layered over ancient roots. Christianity is no different. That is why anyone who literalizes the Jesus story or the Bible is revealing little more than profound ignorance. That is also why it is my experience that studying the Christian faith requires a lifetime. None of these things, however, distorts the basic Christian message that God calls us to live, to love and to be.

John Shelby Spong