SwampRoseMallow

The World's Great Religions: an educational multi- media presentation in visual art, essay, and word paintings by Contemporary American Historical Illustrator Howard David Johnson. The following is an excerpt from his page.

...the Queen of Heaven is a great example: the goddess was referred to by many names including Semiramis, Isis, Mama, Hera, Ishtar, (Easter), and others. The Queen of Heaven had such a strong cult following at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. that the Roman Catholic Church re-invented Mary in her image- completely embracing polytheism & pagan goddess worship. Even though they persecuted Pagans, Roman Catholicism combined Christianity with Paganism and many Protestant Churches retain her polytheistic doctrines to this day. The Protestant Reformation was more about where the money went than doctrine. "De'esse et chime're" below from the Book of Revelation portrays a mystic vision of this Christian/Pagan hybrid (For more related spititual art & themes visit the World Mythology or Symbolist Art Galleries below.) By the mid 20th Century Western Paganism was widely thought to have faded into history.

In spite of the highly technological environment of the 21st century revivals of ancient pagan goddess worship, animism, and nature worship in new forms are appearing all over the world.

Like all faiths, Pagans have also at times been systematically and brutally persecuted...

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"I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love has always won;
there have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible,
but in the end they always fall."
~ Mahatma Gandhi