text: is it possible that christianity was simply an adaption of the earlier religion of mithraism ? the entirely unearthly mithras was worshipped as the "good shepherd", "the way, the truth and the light", and as a redeemer, saviour and messiah. mithras was supposed to have been born to a virgin on what is now 25 december, and was visited by shepherds and magi. he travelled and taught, cast out devils, made miracle cures, held a last supper, was killed, buried in a rock tomb and rose again after three days, at the time of the spring equinox in march (equivalent to the christian easter). mithraism included baptism and sunday worship, with a eucharist and sacraments.   mithra's birth was witnessed by shepherds and by magi bearing gifts to his sacred birth-cave of the rock (j. smith 146). mithra's image was buried in a rock tomb, a sacred cave that represented his mother's womb. this was ritualistically removed each year, and he was said to live again. mithra's triumph and ascension to heaven were celebrated during the spring equinox.  the similarities are striking. you'll be surprised by the un originality of christianity. they absorbed many pagan beliefs, holidays and demonizing many gods (e.g. baal and co) to convert people. it is their way to convince people that christianity is the one religion