As an ex-Neo-Pagan that has since come to Christ this 'issue' has been festering away at the back of my mind and I was wondering if a) it makes sense to anybody else and b) if anyone had any info to either support or demolish this idea...
...the 'Whore of Babylon' (which many Christians believes represents the 'False Church' to be set up by the 'Anti-Christ' in the 'Last Days' immediately before Christ's return) seems to me at least to be a vieled reference to a revival of the Mystery Schools and a resurgence of Goddess Worship of the type seen today.
As I understand it... the passage out of Revelation 17 may be translated thusly:
"...I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was clothed in purple and scarlet and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations [Gr: bdelurma - denoting 'idolatory' and 'worship of many dieties'] and the filthiness of her fornication [Gr: porneis - denoting 'idolatory' and 'Temple Prostitution'], and upon her head was written:
MYSTERY! [Gr: musterion - denoting 'a person Initiated into the sacred Mysteries... ...especially the Eleusinian Mysteries of Pagan Greece']
BABYLON THE GREAT! THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS! [Gr: porne - again denoting 'sacred sex and/or prostitution'] AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
[Gr: bdelugma - 'idolatrous worship'] OF THE EARTH! [Gr: ge - a contraction of 'Gaea', denoting 'the physical realm of the Earth']
While it is undeniable that, on the face of it at least, this possible translation and interpretation of this passage lends itself to the conclusion that there is a possible connection between modern Neo-Paganism and the 'Whore of Babylon', there are a few points that I am trying to keep in mind...
There are many, many other possible interpretations of this particular passage - which is, arguably, one of the most disputed passages in the history of the Church...
No doctrine, belief system or practice should ever be based on any text taken in isolation - especially one that could seriously impact upon one's ability to provide a consistent witness of a Christ-like life, in this case to the Neo-Pagan Community.
Far too many false and deceptive teachings have surfaced in the Church in recent years - especially in the area of understanding and dealing with the Occult and the modern Pagan 'revival' - that has done much to damage the Church's credibility and effectiveness in witnessing to Neo-Pagans...
I simply note the possible translation/interpretation and the all to obvious conclusion to be drawn from it - and it is presented here BECAUSE I know its NOT the final word...
Obviously, there is more to consider in this issue, however I am ill-equipped in regard to either time or resources to delve further into this question. However, I hope, that by raising the question in the first place it will inspire others to investigate the issues involved in greater depth.
If anyone knows of any articles that may be of assistance it would be appreciated if they could contact me...
Thanx!