In the Christianized parts of this world, we somehow believe that we now live in a Christianized environment—sanitized from ancient paganism and influences. Christianity and paganism are essentially viewed as opposed to each other, and in principle as being at opposite ends of the theological spectrum.

Church and religious leaders through the centuries have somehow viewed themselves—or were viewed by some historians—as champions in vanquishing pagan influences. To what extent has this goal been accomplished? Have you given it any thought?

Or has it rather been a strange marriage of convenience between some ancient pagan practices and so-called Christianity? Have they indeed cleansed paganism, or have they just accommodated pagan beliefs and compromised their values by watering down their goals?

Let us look at some facts and evidences, and you be the judge.

What are some of the telltale marks of ancient paganism in modern-day Christianity?

First of all, let us look at its success figures. Of the estimated 6.5 billion people on this earth, only about 1.5 billion people claim to adhere to the Christian religion. Contrary to popular perception, Christianity has a world ratio of only about one out of five adherents.

Now, among and within the Christian nations of this world, what is the extent of existing pagan influences, if any?

We all know that ancient and present pagan cultures worship many gods and goddesses. Since names bear an index of influence, let us start with the names of the days of the week, and see whether in the Christian world, they indeed reflect Christian beliefs.

The first day of the week is Sunday. Historical records show that Sunday (the first day of the week) was the common and universal day of sun worship among the ancient pagan Babylonians, Egyptians, and other ancient cultures. Has there been a major change since?

Next to the sun, the ancient pagans revered the moon. Thus, the next day of the week is dedicated to the moon and is called Moon day—now spelled Monday.

In the hierarchy of pagan worship, the third day is dedicated to the chief god Zeus of the ancient Greeks and Romans. While others reckon it as also derived from the pagan Norse god Tiu or Tiw, the sound is still the same as Tuesday.

Wednesday is from the Old Norse pagan god called Odin. Notice that “Odin’s day” is still pronounced like Wednesday, even if it is spelled somewhat differently.

Thursday is derived from another Old Norse pagan god dedicated as “Thor’s day.”

Friday is from an Old Norse pagan goddess called Freya (or Frigga, the equivalent of Venus), thus “Freya day.”

Finally, the seventh day of the week is called Saturday—named after the ancient pagan god Saturn, thus “Saturn’s day.”

The names for the months are similar.

January got its name from the pagan god Janus, (said to have two faces). February adopted its name from februa, a word associated with pagan rites. March is from a Roman god called Mars (the god of war). April is for aprilis, May is for the Greek goddess Maia (good mother), and June is of course from the Roman goddess Juno.

July and August are named after the pagan Roman emperors Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar. The latter had no qualms assigning 31 days for August, even if it breaks the calendar rule alternating 30 and 31 days in each successive month of the Roman calendar, taking one day from February.

The “ber” months (September, October, November, and December) bear evidence to a more massive tampering. Their original Latin ordinal names—septimo meaning seventh for September; octo meaning eighth for October; novem meaning ninth for November; and deci meaning tenth for December—testify that they have all been pushed two months forward to now represent instead the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth months of the year!

The pagan rulers in power, then, changed the biblical starting month of the year (from springtime [Exodus 12:2] to mid-winter); the start of every month (which should be on a new moon); the start of the work week (which should be on the first day of the week—Sunday); and the start and end of a day (which should be at sunset).

These changes in time reckoning and laws have been prophesied and will be enforced until the Great Tribulation, causing difficulty for the true people of God (Daniel 7:25).

Researching deeper, there are other hidden roots of paganism existing in today’s Christianity. Did you know that the ancient orgiastic pagan celebrations called Brumalia and Saturnalia have simply been renamed “Christmas”? What have yule logs, mistletoes, and a fat man named Santa Claus got to do with the birth of Christ? And what have bunny rabbits and colored eggs got to do with His resurrection?

You think these are all illogical, absurd, and unchristian? Yes indeed, because all these influences came directly from paganism! It is time to wake up from all these deceptions!

To help you begin sanitizing your Christian faith from pagan adulteration and influences, and “contend for the faith once delivered” (Jude 3), please request for our free booklets: Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep? and Sunset to Sunset, God’s Sabbath Rest. Or you can simply download a copy from our Web site.