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Mystery religions: Difference between revisions
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By teaching people that they could achieve union with God, the mystery religions—and there were many that thrived in the Greco-Roman world—were not implying that there is more than one God. Although some mystery religions worshiped [[Isis]], others the god [[Serapis]] or Mithras, they all believed that there is but one God and that the different gods were simply forms of the one universal and transcendent God. Mystery initiates believed that when they achieved deification, they, too, would be manifestations of the one God. | By teaching people that they could achieve union with God, the mystery religions—and there were many that thrived in the Greco-Roman world—were not implying that there is more than one God. Although some mystery religions worshiped [[Isis]], others the god [[Serapis]] or Mithras, they all believed that there is but one God and that the different gods were simply forms of the one universal and transcendent God. Mystery initiates believed that when they achieved deification, they, too, would be manifestations of the one God. | ||
In the mystery religions, external wealth or power were not criteria for spiritual progress. What was important was pursuit of a course of study that included systematic teachings, rituals and initiations designed to lead to soul growth and a mystical experience of rebirth or union with God. The concept of reincarnation went hand-in-hand with the view that man can become one with God. | In the mystery religions, external wealth or power were not criteria for spiritual progress. What was important was pursuit of a course of study that included systematic teachings, rituals and initiations designed to lead to soul growth and a mystical experience of rebirth or union with God. The concept of [[reincarnation]] went hand-in-hand with the view that man can become one with God. | ||
== Mystery religions in the ancient world == | == Mystery religions in the ancient world == | ||