Impact of culture on religion - an analysis of history - Part 1

Every religious festival is marked by four aspects - The cultural, the mythological, the philosophical and the spiritual. The cultural aspect comes first because it the culture that largely molds the way a particular religion gives shape to its festivals and celebrations. Take for instance Christmas and Easter, the two greatest and grandest festivals associated with Christianity. Early Christianity had two formidable enemies in its path - Judaism and Paganism. The Pagans were more powerful because they were the ruling class. In order to win over the common people who were deeply rooted in Pagan cultures Christianity needed more than faith in Christ. It needed to redefine and reshape the cultural aspects of Paganism while keeping its core intact. It is no coincidence that 25th December is almost near the beginning of summer solstice or Uttarayan in Sanskrit, marking the Northbound journey of sun. This is linked with festivities in most cultures of the world which signifies our primary agrarian root. This is the period that marks the beginning of hope, of joy, of the herald of the spring, of assurances of warmth and sunshine, of a bountiful harvest. So naturally this is a significant period which possibly was celebrated widely. Therefore it was no wonder that this was adopted as a festive season and possibly the most important one in Christian tradition. The birth of Christ may or may not have taken place on 25th December, but this is chosen to be the period of celebration. The mythology or the story around it revolves round the nativity of Christ, of the immaculate conception, of angels and stars and visit of mystics from the East with gifts. The philosophy is around the advent of messiah who would show a new path, a savior who would uplift a fallen human civilization and the spiritual aspects are inherent in the founding of a new dispensation, the birth of the only begotten son of God who would show the one and only true path to salvation. 

Again when we look into Easter, the period strangely coincides with the festival of spring in Pagan culture which celebrated the advent of summer, bringing in a variety of colours and gaiety. The origin is rooted in the worship of the mother Nature, of mother Earth, through worship of Goddess of fertility Ishtar or Astarte in several East European and Central Asian cultures. Ishtar or Astarte possibly got transformed into Easter and the egg symbolized fertility, birth, like that of crops from the womb of mother Earth that nourishes mankind. Easter or Astarte was therefore the Pagan heritage of worshiping mother Earth in a way of thanksgiving. It may or may not have coincided with Christ's crucifixion and bodily resurrection after three days. But the culture has to be superimposed with mythology and with philosophy, so comes the story around the savior's ultimate sacrifice for the humanity and the son of God's miraculous rebirth in a body. The whole theology or philosophy of vicarious atonement, resurrection after death, ascent to the heaven etc. were developed around it, and finally came the  promised kingdom of heaven and God's special favour as the spiritual core for the followers and believers of the new faith.

Thus the Christian tradition through its innumerable struggles kept itself intact by assimilating the cultural essence of its rivals. The old testament, relinquishing reincarnation for the Jewish belief, adopting Abraham and Moses as prophets or heralds were part of an overall strategy to complete this cultural assimilation and bring the larger masses from the once hostile milieu into its fold. As we could see it was a very very successful idea. An almost similar strategy was adopted by the religion who inspired and influenced Christianity the most - Buddhism.