Where there was man and woman, there was also the cross. :)

This isn't exactly on topic, but I would like to share on something related to you post, Michael K, about universal symbols helping other cultures recognize Truth in Christianity.

I had a personal realization this past semester as I was studying Greek, Hebrew, and Roman mythology. I was confused by the idea that Prometheus, a figure who appeared long before Jesus Christ, was crucified by Zeus to bear the sins of man, had is side pierced, liberated mankind, ushered in a new era of reconciliation with Zeus, etc., and I began ponder the parallels of Prometheus to Jesus who came later. I sensed the cynical nature of my professor, that he believed the similarities pointed to Jesus as a fraud, to Christians as idiots. I began to seek to understand this for myself as Christianity is my path. After weeks of seeking, I felt in my spirit the answer. I felt that Jesus Christ, in whom I believe, came to everyone, not just to be the Passover lamb--a sacrificial image of the lamb to so that the Jews would recognize him. He also became a messianic figure like Prometheus to the Greeks and Romans who adored the figure of Prometheus-- hanging in the wilderness, side pierced, enduring torment as an advocate for mankind! All lovers and seekers of God would see their Christ in Jesus's divine act, no matter what they believed, verifying the universal nature of His being.

Not only did Prometheus reconcile Zeus and mankind, he also gave mankind fire which strongly resembles the path Jesus made for the Holy Spirit which appeared on the Day of Pentecost as a tongue of fire above all who received the Holy Spirit. Just as the gift of fire to mankind by Prometheus in Greek and Roman myth made way for mankind to explore arts, science, divination, and other fields of knowledge and spirituality, the gift of the Holy Spirit which Jesus promised offered mankind the same amazing thing-- a new authority for any man, woman, or child who would believe--authority over earthly and physical realms: prophecy, spiritual discernment (knowing good and evil spirits), healing, divine language (tongues), interpretation of divine language, the list goes on. No longer would these gifts be only accessible to the affluent, the highly trained, or the prophets. Every human being could experience Divine gifts and supernatural powers. This is also why many people believe these teachings have been shunned by the Church Fathers and governments even. My own ancestor was burned at the stake for believing in these gifts. He was considered a threat to the government, and he was sentenced to death for teaching and believing in the Holy Spirit as an active and indwelling power. Church leaders wanted to reserve the powers for themselves. This is not true Christianity. It is not what Jesus taught or practiced. We are to do greater things than He did through the Holy Spirit. Not many people know or practice this today as a result.

Universal truths echo in time and in knowledge and in the spirits of those who recognize God because He is part of them. Learning rote fact is not a path to God or to Divine Knowledge, and we can know, epigenosco, better through recognition and understanding than through memorization. Religion is a tool to train the mind and body to recognize God, but I believe it is not Divine in itself. Love echoes through time. It surpasses all knowledge. Studying these religions allow us to hear the echoes and see the reflections of God in the Universe. We are truly blessed. We may indeed invite God's Spirit to dwell in us. By any cultural name, He will respond. He is. He is Love, and Truth, and The Way, and we can be reunited with our Absolute Father through the path made by our Brother and exercise our birthright of spiritual power through the Spirit who is a part of every being and will awaken that aspect of us if we ask it, to complete the circuit in us and make us whole and dynamic.

Love to you all.