Christianity: Built Upon the Bones of Pagans

Is that a headline, or what? Bet you think I'm going to start off on a rant. Something about how Christianity is so infused with pagan traditions, there might as well be little difference, right?

Nah. I mean, I could, but I'll be honest: that headline was slightly misleading. It's my terrible way of spotlighting this Newsweek article. The article explains how the Vatican is built on top of pagan bones. Literally, I mean. The Holy See has been excavating the Necropolis of the Parking Garage (Necropoli dell'Autoparco) for the last few years, and will soon open it to paying visitors. That's right, after you're done repenting your sinful ways, you can visit a grave blessed by the drunken revelry of Dionysus/Bacchus.

Seriously, check the article out. Some highlights:

Walking among the exposed bones of any ancient graveyard would be chilling enough. But when it’s a pagan necropolis directly beneath Vatican City, arguably Christianity’s holiest shrine, then the situation redlines right into completely unnerving. Or it would be if it weren’t so enthralling, especially for anyone who has ever pondered Roman Catholicism's pagan roots.

Again, this could be an entire Samizdat episode.

John Paul himself was a student of Rome’s pagan roots. But when he was succeeded by the more conservative Pope Benedict XVI, the plan was nearly derailed—until the Vatican's official archeologists insisted that the Holy See carry through the plans to honor the former pope.

One more reason I don't dig the new Pope...

"But there are many pagan aspects of all things modern, and when it comes to archeology, especially religious archeology, there is really no room for distinction."

Amen! Preach on, sister!

...nearby, the tombs... are decorated with obviously pagan mosaics elaborately depicting, among other things, a drunken Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility, being held aloft by a satyr.

Ha-hah! Go Dionysus, you old so-and-so!