Many of today's customs used by Christians can be traced back to the 4th century, when Constantine permitted the process of converting the official religion of the Roman Empire from Paganism to Christianity.
Note the word 'converting'. Changing the sign on the door is a lot easier, quicker and cheaper than changing the whole building. Christianity was modelled on many customs that were familiar and acceptable to Jews and Pagans at that time, when religion and belief were intertwined with superstition.
Even the word 'Christian' was coined by Pagans.
The first followers of Christ borrowed Jewish terms to describe themselves, such as 'believers' and 'disciples' (but in Hebrew, of course). Two of the early missionaries, Paul and Barnabas, went to work spreading the Gospel in the Pagan metropolis of Antioch, where the locals derisively called them 'Christians'
Antiquities p.005
Pagan crosses
The cross is used extensively in black magic and in innumerable religions.
The Cross an Emblem of Christianity explains how this simplest of symbols has evolved from its Pagan roots. We explain how it has caused as much grief as it has comforted. A torture instrument, a threat to entire civilizations, and yet used as jewellery and sometimes worshipped. It has associations with illegal psychedelic drugs, BSE and bird flu, Prince Harry, hatred and despair, love, valour and heroism, World War I, World War II, the Crusades, the invasion of Iraq (again), mythology, Satan, and salvation.
Pagan clothing
Vestments and fancy garb do not make the wearer a priest. They have always been little more than symbols of status; a tradition passed down through civilization, and added to along the way. Look at the ecclesiastical finery sported by high churches those that emphasize formality and resist modernisation.
Church buildings and Pagan temples
The Early Church was not so wealthy, neither were Christians. The disciples were fishermen, artisans and of the peasant class; not wealthy princes. Even if they wanted to build churches of their own design, there was no money for such a luxury. Therefore existing buildings were adapted.
Candles
Oil lamps were in use before Christianity, not only to replace darkness with light, but also to repel dark spirits. Only a superstition, yet quite natural and understandable behaviour. As children we prefer the light on at night to keep the bogeyman away.
Bells and bell ringing
Bells as religious symbolism began in Paganism and has since been adopted by the Church.
Incense
Originally used to repel bad smells, the aroma from burning resin was used to dispel bad spirits.
Tonsure
The shaven head sported by monks and clerics of certain religious orders for hundreds of years has a simple origin.
Vow of Silence
Pythagoreans from around 530 B.C. took the practice of silence seriously; breaking the vow of silence carried the death penalty. And the priestess-guardians of the sacred Roman fire, the Vestal Virgins, lived in silence for years at a time.
Vidar, son of Odin, was the Norse god of silence and there was a minor Roman goddess of silence called Muta, from which we get the word 'mute'.
Chants
Songs in the form of chants, poems, and later as hymns, cantatas, anthems, oratorios or motets, are useful mnemonic methods. Singing makes us feel hearty and that's why we sing; whether it's a chant or any other form. Singing helps us feel young and energetic, even if we're not very proficient. Singing helps relieve tension. Singing is therapeutic. Communal singing turns an audience into participants.
Pagans used singing as part of their worship too. Like the word Glory, chants are not even restricted to religion. They are used by squads of jogging soldiers, team-sports players in training, supporters at a match, cheerleaders, supporters at a political convention, children reciting nursery rhymes and the alphabet song.
One particular type of Christian hymn is called a carol, which is sung at Christmas time; another custom with Pagan roots:
Christmas
Christmas is one of the biggest events on the Christian calendar, yet the customs we associate with the event are steeped in Paganism.
Prayer posture and words
A prayer is a collection of words spoken aloud or silently, to our god. Man has prayed to the nature gods for millennia; it was certainly not a new invention for Christianity. And it was natural, like all the things listed above, for Christians to adopt this form of communication with their God.
Amen
Even Amen, the very last word in the Bible, has Pagan roots. Yet Christians, Jews and Muslims invariably end their prayers, Scripture readings, and hymns by saying Amen as an expression of concurrence.
These are but a few...
Feel free to add to the list.
Note the word 'converting'. Changing the sign on the door is a lot easier, quicker and cheaper than changing the whole building. Christianity was modelled on many customs that were familiar and acceptable to Jews and Pagans at that time, when religion and belief were intertwined with superstition.
Even the word 'Christian' was coined by Pagans.
The first followers of Christ borrowed Jewish terms to describe themselves, such as 'believers' and 'disciples' (but in Hebrew, of course). Two of the early missionaries, Paul and Barnabas, went to work spreading the Gospel in the Pagan metropolis of Antioch, where the locals derisively called them 'Christians'
Antiquities p.005
Pagan crosses
The cross is used extensively in black magic and in innumerable religions.
The Cross an Emblem of Christianity explains how this simplest of symbols has evolved from its Pagan roots. We explain how it has caused as much grief as it has comforted. A torture instrument, a threat to entire civilizations, and yet used as jewellery and sometimes worshipped. It has associations with illegal psychedelic drugs, BSE and bird flu, Prince Harry, hatred and despair, love, valour and heroism, World War I, World War II, the Crusades, the invasion of Iraq (again), mythology, Satan, and salvation.
Pagan clothing
Vestments and fancy garb do not make the wearer a priest. They have always been little more than symbols of status; a tradition passed down through civilization, and added to along the way. Look at the ecclesiastical finery sported by high churches those that emphasize formality and resist modernisation.
Church buildings and Pagan temples
The Early Church was not so wealthy, neither were Christians. The disciples were fishermen, artisans and of the peasant class; not wealthy princes. Even if they wanted to build churches of their own design, there was no money for such a luxury. Therefore existing buildings were adapted.
Candles
Oil lamps were in use before Christianity, not only to replace darkness with light, but also to repel dark spirits. Only a superstition, yet quite natural and understandable behaviour. As children we prefer the light on at night to keep the bogeyman away.
Bells and bell ringing
Bells as religious symbolism began in Paganism and has since been adopted by the Church.
Incense
Originally used to repel bad smells, the aroma from burning resin was used to dispel bad spirits.
Tonsure
The shaven head sported by monks and clerics of certain religious orders for hundreds of years has a simple origin.
Vow of Silence
Pythagoreans from around 530 B.C. took the practice of silence seriously; breaking the vow of silence carried the death penalty. And the priestess-guardians of the sacred Roman fire, the Vestal Virgins, lived in silence for years at a time.
Vidar, son of Odin, was the Norse god of silence and there was a minor Roman goddess of silence called Muta, from which we get the word 'mute'.
Chants
Songs in the form of chants, poems, and later as hymns, cantatas, anthems, oratorios or motets, are useful mnemonic methods. Singing makes us feel hearty and that's why we sing; whether it's a chant or any other form. Singing helps us feel young and energetic, even if we're not very proficient. Singing helps relieve tension. Singing is therapeutic. Communal singing turns an audience into participants.
Pagans used singing as part of their worship too. Like the word Glory, chants are not even restricted to religion. They are used by squads of jogging soldiers, team-sports players in training, supporters at a match, cheerleaders, supporters at a political convention, children reciting nursery rhymes and the alphabet song.
One particular type of Christian hymn is called a carol, which is sung at Christmas time; another custom with Pagan roots:
Christmas
Christmas is one of the biggest events on the Christian calendar, yet the customs we associate with the event are steeped in Paganism.
Prayer posture and words
A prayer is a collection of words spoken aloud or silently, to our god. Man has prayed to the nature gods for millennia; it was certainly not a new invention for Christianity. And it was natural, like all the things listed above, for Christians to adopt this form of communication with their God.
Amen
Even Amen, the very last word in the Bible, has Pagan roots. Yet Christians, Jews and Muslims invariably end their prayers, Scripture readings, and hymns by saying Amen as an expression of concurrence.
These are but a few...
Feel free to add to the list.