Christianity as an Evolution of Paganism: Tracing the Historical Continuity

Paganism and Christianity are two distinct religious systems that have significantly shaped the history and spiritual beliefs of humanity. While both have had a far-reaching impact on the development of various civilizations and cultural practices, the question as to which emerged first remains a topic of debate among scholars. Paganism, in its broadest sense, refers to a collection of religious beliefs and practices that predate Christianity. Before the advent of monotheistic religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, polytheism was the dominant spiritual framework across many ancient civilizations. Pagan belief systems encompassed a wide range of deities, ritual practices, and mythologies that varied across cultures and geographical regions. They had intimate connections with nature, worshipped multiple gods, and revered ancestral spirits.

But this doesn’t solve the matter of Tobias Tinfucker, who is, as we mentioned earlier, a cyborg. He loved machines so much that he went to a plastic surgeon (what time period are we in anyway with this?) so he could BECOME a machine, and now he is one, and he is so rich that he owns the entire town. I’m not making any of this up. Tinfucker wants his money OR ELSE, so Peter Paas (TM) suggests they go to Mother Nature for help. Are you with me so far?

That s somewhat ironic, because really, colored eggs don t play that major of a role here, at least not more so than they do in other Easter specials. Minimalist Cast There are only 11 characters four leading animal characters, three humans, Tobias Tinwhiskers, Mother Nature, a talking egg, and a green chicken that appear in the entire special.

They had intimate connections with nature, worshipped multiple gods, and revered ancestral spirits. Examples of ancient pagan religions include the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman pantheons. Christianity, on the other hand, emerged as a distinct religion during the 1st century AD.

The Peter and the Magic Egg Night Thread Wants You to Buy Egg Dye Kits

You’re probably familiar with Paas egg dye kits. Even if the name itself doesn’t ring a bell, you’ve more likely than not seen them in your local grocery store around Easter. Their packaging features friendly barnyard critters, and stands out among lesser imitators (also, for what it’s worth, Paas egg dye actually stays on your eggs; other kits aren’t as effective).

Anyway, in 1983, Paas decided to make the move to television to promote their product (did they even need to? Pretty sure people were buying them already, but I digress). Peter & the Magic Egg features the characters from the boxes in animated form, gives them all silly names (the lamb is called “Lollichop”), and throws them all into a story which is….really, really hard to describe.

Once upon a time, there were some lovable Pennsylvania Dutch farmers named Mama and Papa Doppler. They had hilariously cartoonish accents and talked like Yoda. They were poor, and they owed a lot of money to a greedy cyborg known as Tobias Tinwhiskers. He looked like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz. Speaking of that movie, Peter and the Magic Egg features the voice of the OG Tin Man himself, Ray Bolger. However, he doesn’t play the evil Tin Man (missed opportunity!) and instead does the narrator, a…talking egg named Uncle Amos.

Anyway, Mother Nature sent a baby into the chicken coup of the Dopplers. The Dopplers were dumbasses and thought it was a chicken they heard at first when they heard a baby crying, but fortunately, they adopt the child, who grows up to be twelve human years old over the coarse of one year. Peter Paas (TM), as he is called, gives the barnyard animals magical clothing which gives them the ability to speak. And Peter Paas (TM) is strong, like Paul Bunyan, and is able to plow with the strength of ten men.

But this doesn’t solve the matter of Tobias Tinfucker, who is, as we mentioned earlier, a cyborg. He loved machines so much that he went to a plastic surgeon (what time period are we in anyway with this?) so he could BECOME a machine, and now he is one, and he is so rich that he owns the entire town. I’m not making any of this up. Tinfucker wants his money OR ELSE, so Peter Paas (TM) suggests they go to Mother Nature for help. Are you with me so far?

Alright, so Peter Paas (TM) decides that they should dye thousands of eggs and sell them to the Easter Bunny (who delivered him to the Dopplers, and is portrayed in this special by a giant ominous shadow for some reason). He asks the chickens–two of which he has just crowned King and Queen–to work as hard as they can, and they do, and the plan works, and the Dopplers have enough money to pay the evil Tin Man their debt for the year.

NGL this animation is kind of pretty.

Anyway, the evil Tin Man is NOT pleased, and challenges Peter Paas (TM) to a…plowing duel. Peter Paas (TM) agrees because he’s polite like that, but the game turns out to be a trap, and Peter Paas (TM) ends up falling down a deep, dark pit, and is left in a coma for an entire year.

So with Peter Paas (TM) down for the count, it looks like Tinfucker will take ownership of the farm by the time their next year’s worth of rent is due, but the woodland critters decide to finally do something in their own special, and go to Mother Nature. Mother Nature gives them the magic egg of the title, saying it’s the key to reawakening Peter Paas (TM). What’s in the egg? That I won’t spoil. I’ll just say….it’s not what you’re expecting.

Peter and the Magic Egg had to air exclusively on syndication when it was new, as network TV broadcast standards of the time forbade airing programming directed at children which they deemed an extended commercial, in this case for egg dye kits. That’s somewhat ironic, because really, colored eggs don’t play that major of a role here, at least not more so than they do in other Easter specials. If anything, Peter and the Magic Egg feels like a trippy, long-forgotten Rankin/Bass title. That’s not entirely coincidental given the involvement of longtime Rankin/Bass writer Romeo Muller here.

Speaking for myself personally, it’s doubtful I’d even be aware of this special’s existence if I hadn’t watched it as a kid, as it was eventually shown a couple of times on The Disney Channel. My only memory of it, apart from it being weird, was a scene where the animals sang and danced on a stage. That does happen here, but only for a few seconds and doesn’t really have anything to do with the plot, so who knows why that’s what stuck with me from this.

Peter and the Magic Egg is fucking insane. But at the same time, it doesn’t have an ironic bone in its body. It sort of plays like a twist on the American folk tale, with Peter Paas (TM) as the mythical hero, and the animals there because…well, they’re the ones on the egg dye kits boxes. Bolger is great as the narrator, warm and welcoming as he should be, and the songs are alright (the one in which Peter Paas (TM) hums about Mother Nature is quite pretty, actually). So I don’t hate it. It’s fucking nuts, but I don’t hate it.

Have a WONDERMENT of a night, y’all!

It traces its roots back to the teachings and life of Jesus Christ, who is considered its central figure and the Son of God. Christianity spread rapidly across the Roman Empire and eventually gained official recognition under Emperor Constantine in the early 4th century AD. Over time, it became the dominant religion in Europe, exerting immense influence on philosophy, ethics, politics, and culture. The relationship between paganism and Christianity is complex and multifaceted. As Christianity spread, it often incorporated elements of pagan practices and beliefs into its own traditions, a process commonly known as syncretism. This allowed for a smoother transition and easier conversion of pagans to Christianity. Many pagan festivals and rituals were Christianized, with Christian holidays often coinciding with preexisting pagan celebrations. However, there were also instances of conflict between paganism and Christianity. In some cases, Christianization involved the suppression and eradication of pagan beliefs and practices, leading to the decline of ancient pagan religions. The rise of Christianity and the influence of Christian institutions on medieval European society gradually marginalized pagan belief systems, relegating them to the realm of folklore and superstition. In conclusion, paganism can be regarded as a precursor to Christianity, both in terms of chronology and cultural influence. Pagan religious beliefs and practices existed long before the emergence of Christianity. However, the dynamic interaction between paganism and Christianity throughout history has shaped the spiritual landscape of human civilization, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to resonate in contemporary times..

Reviews for "Christianity's Borrowings from Paganism: Evidence from Art and Architecture"

1. John Doe - ★☆☆☆☆

I found "Did paganism come before Christianity" to be a deeply disappointing read. The author's arguments were weak and lacked sufficient evidence to support their claims. Moreover, the overall structure of the book was confusing, making it difficult to follow the main points being presented. I had hoped for a well-researched and balanced analysis of the topic, but instead, I was left feeling frustrated and underwhelmed.

2. Jane Smith - ★★☆☆☆

While "Did paganism come before Christianity" had an interesting premise, I ultimately found it to be a rather biased and shallow exploration of the topic. The author seemed focused on proving their own preconceived notions rather than delving into the subject with an open mind. Additionally, I felt that the arguments presented were oversimplified and lacked nuance. Overall, I was left wanting a more comprehensive and objective examination of the relationship between paganism and Christianity.

3. Robert Johnson - ★★☆☆☆

As an avid reader of books on religious history, I was excited to dive into "Did paganism come before Christianity." Unfortunately, the book failed to meet my expectations. The author's arguments seemed to be based more on personal beliefs rather than solid research and scholarly analysis. I found myself questioning the validity of the claims being made and yearning for more substantial evidence to support them. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and wishing for a more credible examination of the subject matter.

4. Emily Davis - ★☆☆☆☆

I was truly disappointed by "Did paganism come before Christianity." The book lacked coherence and failed to present a clear and organized argument. It seemed more like a compilation of random thoughts and ideas, rather than a thoughtful exploration of the topic. The lack of proper citations and references left me questioning the reliability of the information being presented. In the end, I was left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied, and I wouldn't recommend this book to others seeking a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between paganism and Christianity.

5. Michael Thompson - ★★☆☆☆

"Did paganism come before Christianity" fell short of my expectations. While I appreciated the author's attempt to tackle a complex and interesting topic, I found the arguments to be lacking depth and substance. The evidence presented was often anecdotal and lacked proper citation, leaving me uncertain about its reliability. Furthermore, the book lacked a clear structure and failed to present a cohesive narrative. Overall, I believe there are better resources available for those interested in exploring the relationship between paganism and Christianity.

Paganism and Christianity: Coexistence or Conflict?