>Could the Catholic church actual be a Mithraic (Iranian) cult
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>Dressed in the clothing of Christianity?
Within the confines of what was then the Roman Empire, long before and during the dawn of Christianity, there were many dying-and-rising gods. And yes, they were gods—some even half-god, half-human, being of divine or magical parentage, just like Jesus. And yes, they died. And were dead. And yes, they were then raised back to life; and lived on, even more powerful than before.
Some returned in the same body they died in; some lived their second life in even more powerful and magical bodies than they died in, like Jesus did. Some left empty tombs or gravesites; or had corpses that were lost or vanished. Some returned to life on “the third day” after dying.
All went on to live and reign in heaven. Some even visited earth after being raised, to deliver a message to disciples or followers, before ascending into the heavens.