MLK on the Mystery Cults

[Joan Marie]

Well this was a surprising find.

It's a student paper written in 1949 by a young Martin Luther King Jr. titled: The Influence of the Mystery Religions on Christianity.

It even includes his teacher's comments at the top.

In the paper he addresses five of the mystery religions, The Influence Of The Cult Of Cybele and Attis, The Influence of Adonis, The Influence of Osiris and Isis, The Influence Of The Greater Mysteries At Eleusis, The Influence of Mithraism.

In the conclusion he makes this statement: "To discuss Christianity without mentioning other religions would be like discussing the greatness of the Atlantic Ocean without the slightest mention of the many tributaries that keep it flowing."

He also wrote an extensive paper focused on Mithraism called, A Study of Mithraism

They are really interesting reads and a testament to a man who took a scholarly and open-minded approach to the roots of a religion which he himself embraced entirely.

[Nemia]

That's wonderful, thank you! He was a great man. I had no idea he was interested in the history of Christianity.

[reall]

this is awesome! imo Christianity borrow big part of Egypt & other older religions & i'm always happy to read more about those mysterious origins!