In the month of May, various pagan holidays and festivals are celebrated around the world. These celebrations are deeply rooted in ancient traditions and often honor deities associated with fertility, nature, and the arrival of warmer weather. Here are a few notable pagan holidays in May: 1. Beltane: Beltane is a Gaelic festival that marks the beginning of the summer season. It is celebrated on May 1st and is characterized by bonfires, dancing, and rituals to bring good fortune and protect against harmful spirits. Beltane is associated with the god Belenus and the goddesses Flora and Maia.
Beltane is associated with the god Belenus and the goddesses Flora and Maia. 2. Floralia: Floralia is a Roman holiday dedicated to Flora, the goddess of flowers and springtime.
Is Christianity a Bloody, Pagan Religion?
Ask Pastor Tyler: Often I will have people ask amazing questions via email, text, or in person. So, I will occasionally turn them into blog posts for those interested. I’ve found that so many of us are all thinking about the same things.
Today’s question is this: Christianity seems to be a very bloody religion. Is animal sacrifice (to the gods) a pagan concept that Christianity ripped off?
As Christians, we sing a lot about the “blood of Christ.” Some of these songs as famous favorites, but the imagery is still a little strange: “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. . .Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow. . .” Or:
“There is a fountain that I see//Filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s vein//The sinners, sinners plunged beneath that blood//Lose all their guilty stains.”
That last one is particularly odd; a “fountain of blood” sounds more like a horror flick than good news to modern ears. Although these songwriters probably took the image a little far, the picture and visual of blood does come from the Bible, like 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” And Ephesians 2:13: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
As my friend asked me recently, does this make Christianity a bloody, barbaric, pagan religion?
On the surface, because the ancient culture of the Bible is so different from our own, many things in it can seem primitive and pagan. But if we look closely at Christ’s death, we’ll see that it’s very different from these ancient religions. There are some clear contrasts with paganism and Judeo-Christianity.
For example, pagan gods are often hungry, needy, volatile, and demanding. They’re moody and they need constant blood. And their bloodlust is not just limited to animals, pagan gods often demanded infants, children, or adults. Human blood. And the gods need people to feed and serve them. In fact, this is paganism’s “chief end of man”: to pacify the gods and serve them forever.
But in Christianity, God makes humans to be in relationship with them. When that relationship gets broken, and things go off the rails, God eventually comes down to us, in the person of Jesus, and serves US through a sacrifice. In Christianity, God doesn’t demand blood, he becomes human and gives of his blood (sacrifices his life).
In this, Christianity isn’t very bloody at all! Only one person dies. He gives his life voluntarily, taking all the sin, suffering, and evil onto himself. In this way, Christ’s death is less pagan, and more like the stories we all love and remember. So many stories and books and movies demonstrate that this theme means so much to us as humans, like in Harry Potter or Stranger Things. I would argue that these myths that deeply resonate with us point to the source of these myths, a God who sacrifices himself for us. In this, it’s not so much the blood itself that forgive us. There’s nothing magical about it. But blood is a powerful piece of life, and of death. When we say “the blood of Jesus” forgives us, we mean that Jesus’ substitute and sacrificing his life is what brings us forgiveness.
Now, when some people think of a bloody Christianity, they might be referring back to the Old Testament. But even before Jesus, Judaism (Old Testament) is also very different from paganism.
A) One fact that often gets missed is that animal sacrifice, in the Old Testament, sometimes function as a BBQ. A party. Simply enjoying some good meat with family and friends. Yes it's bloody, in the same way that a butcher shop is bloody. Not a bad thing if you clean up well.
B) Also, as mentioned above, God commands animal sacrifice, unlike the surrounding cultures which killed humans. God is moving his people in a different direction (eventually ending all sacrifice with Jesus).
C) Sometimes these sacrifices are meant to show the seriousness of a moral failure, highlighting the principle that our actions affect those around us. In this ancient culture, these signs and symbols were hugely important. But Christianity put a stop to these practices.
Christianity is definitely still strange, and as Russell Moore has argued, we should keep it that way. Our culture is desperate for the transcendent and true. We should explain Christianity in the vernacular (common language), without religious clichés, but still in a way that keeps the central message (which is a strange one). But remember, Christianity was just as strange back then as it is now. God breaks in on both paganism AND progressivism, rattling pre-modernity, modernity, and post-modernity. So, #KeepChristianityWeird, but also in a way that’s historically reliable and culturally understandable.
Frank Dunkle serves as a professor and Coordinator of Ambassador Bible College. He is active in the church's teen summer camp program and contributed articles for UCG publications. Frank holds a BA from Ambassador College in Theology, an MA from the University of Texas at Tyler and a PhD from Texas A&M University in History. His wife Sue is a middle-school science teacher and they have one child.
It takes place from April 28th to May 3rd and involves floral decorations, processions, and theatrical performances. Floralia symbolizes the renewal of vegetation and is celebrated with merriment and indulgence. 3. Walpurgis Night: Walpurgis Night, also known as May Eve, is a Germanic festival celebrated on the night of April 30th to May 1st. It is associated with the saint Walpurga and the arrival of spring. On this night, bonfires are lit, and people dance and make music to ward off evil spirits and welcome the warmer season. 4. Thargelia: Thargelia is an ancient Greek festival celebrated in late May or early June. It is dedicated to Apollo and Artemis, the twin gods of light and the hunt. Thargelia involves purification rituals, offerings of first fruits, and a procession to the seashore to cleanse the city. This festival is a time of renewal and purification. 5. Lemuria: Lemuria is a Roman festival observed on May 9th, 11th, and 13th. It is a time to honor the spirits of the dead and protect against malicious ghosts. During Lemuria, households perform rituals to exorcise any spirits that could cause harm and offer beans as appeasement to wandering souls. These pagan holidays in May serve as a reminder of our connection to nature and the changing seasons. They provide an opportunity to celebrate life, fertility, and the renewal of the Earth. Despite their ancient origins, these traditions continue to be observed and cherished by many people today..
Reviews for "Beltane and May Day: A History of Pagan Celebrations"
1. Rachel - 2 stars
I found "Pagan Holidays in May" to be a bit disappointing. While I appreciate the author's attempt to shed light on obscure pagan traditions, I feel like the book lacked depth and meaningful insights. The information provided was very basic, and I was eager to learn more about the historical context and significance of these holidays. Additionally, the writing style was dry and monotonous, making it difficult to fully engage with the content. Overall, this book failed to meet my expectations and left me wanting more.
2. Mark - 1 star
"Pagan Holidays in May" was a complete letdown for me. The author's lack of research and understanding of pagan religions was evident throughout the book. The information provided was inaccurate and misleading. I was hoping to gain a better understanding of the cultural and spiritual significance of these holidays, but I was left feeling baffled and confused. The writing style was also unappealing, making it a struggle to get through each page. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about pagan holidays.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Pagan Holidays in May," but unfortunately, I found it to be quite underwhelming. The content felt shallow and lacking in substance. It seemed like the author just skimmed the surface of each holiday without delving deeper into their origins and rituals. I was left wanting more information and a better understanding of the traditions associated with these pagan holidays. Additionally, the book would have benefited from more engaging storytelling rather than presenting the information in a dry and uninspiring manner. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
4. David - 2 stars
As someone with a keen interest in pagan celebrations, I was excited to read "Pagan Holidays in May," but it fell short of my expectations. The information provided was basic and lacked the depth I was hoping for. I was left wanting more historical context and in-depth analysis of each holiday. Additionally, the writing style was dull and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged. I believe there are better resources available for those interested in learning about pagan holidays in May, and I would not recommend this book as a reliable source of information.