Forgery In Christianity, by Joseph Wheless

The Following is a quote from a book written by Joseph Wheless Alfred A Knopf Publishing N.Y. 1930 pps 20-31.

"Mithraism is one of the oldest religious systems on earth; a Pagan Religion consisting mainly of the cult of Mithra dates from the time that Hindus and Persians still formed one people, for the God Mithra occurs in the religion and sacred books of both races (the Vedas and the Avesta). After the conquest of Babylon (538bce), This Persian cult came in contact with Chaldean astrology and with the national worship of Murduk, for a time the two priesthoods of Mithra and Marduk coexisted in the capital and Mithraism borrowed much from its association..

This Religion, in which the Iranian element was foremost, came after Alexander The Greats' Conquest, in touch with the Western World, when finally the Romans took possession of the Kingdom of Pergamum in133bce., the success of Mithraism was secured. It spread rapidly from the Bosporus to the Atlantic, from Illyria to Britain. Its leading "apostles" where the Roman Legionaries; hence, it spread first to the frontier stations of the Roman Army. However in 65-63bce., the conquering Armies of Pompey were largely converted by its precepts. They brought Mithraism with them into the Roman Empire. Mithraism was emphatically a soldier religion;.. The secret bond among its members has suggested the idea that Mithraism was Masonry among the Roman Soldiery.

The “doctrines of Mithraism as outlined in this book, are”

Mithra is called the Mediator- the incarnate Evil (Ahriman) rose with the army of darkness to attack and depose Ormasdes (Ahura Mazda) they were, however, thrown back to Hell, whence they escape, wander over the face of the earth and afflict man... As evil spirits lie in wait for helpless man, he needs a friend and savior, who is Mithra... Mithra is the Mediator between God and man. The Mithraists ..battle on Mithra’s side against all evil within and without. They believe in the immortality of the soul; sinners after death were dragged down to Hell; The just passed through the seven spheres of the planets, leaving at each planet a part of the lower humanity until, as pure spirits, they stood before God. The soul of the just passes over the bridge into a happy eternity, into Heaven, the abode of Ahura and his blessed Angels. The wicked soul falls from the fatal bridge and is thrown into hell. At the end of the world Mithra will decend to earth, as “Savior” under whom will occur the ressurection of the dead, the general judgment, the renewal of the world by a general Conflagration and terrible flood of burning matter. This terrible flood will “purify” all creatures; even the wicked will be purified from all stains and even hell will cleansed and added back to the renewed world, While evil spirits are destroyed forever. Mithra will make all drink the beverage of Immortality. He will thus prove himself “the never conquered”.

Mithraism had a “EUCHARIST” The fathers conducted the worship. The chief of the fathers, a sort of pope, who always lived at Rome, was called “pater patratus”... The members below the grade of pater called one another “brother” and social distinctions were forgotten in Mithraic Unity... a sacred meal was celebrated of bread and haoma juice, for which in the west wine was substituted. This meal was suppose to give the participants super natural virture.

Mithra saved the world by sacrificing a Bull.

Mithraism was all comprehensive and tolerant of every other cult.

Mithraism’s Moral teaching is closely akin to that of Christianity stress is constantly laid on the necessity of “goodness” Through three steps: the ”good” thought, the “good” word, and the “good” deed, the Mitharaist would enter paradise just as it is taught in “Christian Ethics” special value is attributed to the virtures of religion, truthfulness, purity, and generosity to the poor. Heresy, untruthfulness, perjury, sexual sins, violence, tyranny, are especially reprobate...

Three times a day prayer was offered the Sun toward east. south, or west according to the hour.

Sunday was keep Holy in honor of Mithra

The sixteenth of each month was sacred to Mitra as “Mediator”

December 25 was observed as Mithra’s Birthday the Natalis Invictis the rebirth of the winter Sun, unconquered by the rigors of the season.

A candidate for brother hood on the Mithraic Cult had to under go Baptism.

The Mithraic Religion had concepts of a Ahura Mazda (all wise Lord) as: “the Holy spirit; of Vohu Manahas; Son of the Creator”; and Vohu Manah, Rashnu, and Mira as the three persons in a “Trinity.

Editors Note: other references on Mithraism and Christianity, state always had it been the practice of Mithraic worshipers, on entering the temple, to dip their fingers in Holy water. And since in some districts there were those who at one time belonged to both religions, they introduced this custom into the majority of the Christian churches in the vicinity of Rome. Mithraists were Trinitarian, kept Sunday as their day of worship, and their cheif festivals were what we know as Christmas and Easter. Long before Yahshua (Jesus), Mithra was said to have been born of a virgin mother, in a cave, at the time of Christmas, and died on a cross at Easter.