Any truth to it?

[1Timothy115]

I'm wondering if we could take Alexander Hislop's book The Two Babylons and discuss some of the chapters. Like this one, "The Rosary and the Worship of the Sacred Heart."

Every one knows how thoroughly Romanist is the use of the rosary; and how the devotees of Rome mechanically tell their prayers upon their beads. The rosary, however, is no invention of the Papacy. It is of the highest antiquity, and almost universally found among Pagan nations. The rosary was used as a sacred instrument among the ancient Mexicans. It is commonly employed among the Brahmins of Hindustan; and in the Hindoo sacred books reference is made to it again and again. Thus, in an account of the death of Sati, the wife of Shiva, we find the rosary introduced: "On hearing of this event, Shiva fainted from grief; then, having recovered, he hastened to the banks of the river of heaven, where he beheld lying the body of his beloved Sati, arrayed in white garments, holding a rosary in her hand, and glowing with splendour, bright as burnished gold." In Thibet it has been used from time immemorial, and among all the millions in the East that adhere to the Buddhist faith. The following, from Sir John F. Davis, will show how it is employed in China: "From the Tartar religion of the Lamas, the rosary of 108 beads has become a part of the ceremonial dress attached to the nine grades of official rank. It consists of a necklace of stones and coral, nearly as large as a pigeon's egg, descending to the waist, and distinguished by various beads, according to the quality of the wearer. There is a small rosary of eighteen beads, of inferior size, with which the bonzes count their prayers and ejaculations exactly as in the Romish ritual. The laity in China sometimes wear this at the wrist, perfumed with musk, and give it the name of Heang-choo, or fragrant beads." In Asiatic Greece the rosary was commonly used, as may be seen from the image of the Ephesian Diana. In Pagan Rome the same appears to have been the case. The necklaces which the Roman ladies wore were not merely ornamental bands about the neck, but hung down the breast, just as the modern rosaries do; and the name by which they were called indicates the use to which they were applied. "Monile," the ordinary word for a necklace, can have no other meaning than that of a "Remembrancer." Now, whatever might be the pretence, in the first instance, for the introduction of such "Rosaries" or "Remembrancers," the very idea of such a thing is thoroughly Pagan. * It supposes that a certain number of prayers must be regularly gone over; it overlooks the grand demand which God makes for the heart, and leads those who use them to believe that form and routine are everything, and that "they must be heard for their much speaking."

Does anyone have further details of this....besides robycop...just kidding

[HappyChristian]

It's interesting that Muslims also use rosary beads!

[PreacherBen]

Here is a link to a site that tells about different types of "prayer beads" and their origins.

[ptwild]

It's interesting that Muslims also use rosary beads!

Anglicans also use rosaries, though not for repetitive prayers. They are used to keep focus, which is why you see Epsicolapians using them in airports, train stations, bus stops . . . and any other place where it might be hard to keep one's concentration.

[1Timothy115]

So, everyone agrees it is "thoroughly pagan?"

[ptwild]

So' date=' everyone agrees it is "thoroughly pagan?"[/quote']

I believe it depends on the use.

[HappyChristian]

Anglicans also use rosaries, though not for repetitive prayers. They are used to keep focus, which is why you see Epsicolapians using them in airports, train stations, bus stops . . . and any other place where it might be hard to keep one's concentration.

I didn't know Anglicans used them. I think it's interesting because Anglicans came out of the Catholic church, and there are some who teach that Catholicism was behind the rise of Islam. I am not saying it's true, mind you! I know that pagans used to use prayer beads, long before Catholicism existed. I just think it's interesting.

Again, I never knew that. I just assumed all those who I see with rosaries are Catholic. I will have to revise that, now!

[ptwild]

I didn't know Anglicans used them. I think it's interesting because Anglicans came out of the Catholic church, and there are some who teach that Catholicism was behind the rise of Islam. I am not saying it's true, mind you! I know that pagans used to use prayer beads, long before Catholicism existed. I just think it's interesting.

Again, I never knew that. I just assumed all those who I see with rosaries are Catholic. I will have to revise that, now!

Anglicanism did not "come out" of the Catholic Church and rosaries were being used by Christians well before Constantine established the national Roman Church which we know today. Anglicans existed apart from Rome for centuries but succumbed to Papal authority in the 4th Century, all the while maintaining the Anglican faith (no devotions to Mary,no confession, no works involved in salvation). We merely recognized the Bishop of Rome as the head of Christianity (while still rejecting infallibility). We officially rejected Papal authority in the 16th century, but

[Wilchbla]

Hindus use a type of rosary too.

[1Timothy115]

So, is the use of the rosary in the Roman Church from pagan origin? What is said when the rosary is recited? Is it a Christian (Bible) based activity or not?

[HappyChristian]

Anglicanism did not "come out" of the Catholic Church and rosaries were being used by Christians well before Constantine established the national Roman Church which we know today. Anglicans existed apart from Rome for centuries but succumbed to Papal authority in the 4th Century, all the while maintaining the Anglican faith (no devotions to Mary,no confession, no works involved in salvation). We merely recognized the Bishop of Rome as the head of Christianity (while still rejecting infallibility). We officially rejected Papal authority in the 16th century, but

Anglicans existed apart from Rome for centuries? I didn't realize that - I've always thought the King of England formed the Anglican church when he broke with the RCC. Not that I'm doubting you, but could you give me some sources to look into about that? I find that really interesting!

[ptwild]

Anglicans existed apart from Rome for centuries? I didn't realize that - I've always thought the King of England formed the Anglican church when he broke with the RCC. Not that I'm doubting you, but could you give me some sources to look into about that? I find that really interesting!

Anglicanism existed as just a plain old Christian community until Augustine arrived in 597 BC to become the first Arch Bishop of Canterbury. At this time, the Church of Rome was still holding to traditional Christianity and even when it evovled into a neo-political creature that taught doctrines contrary to the apostles, the Arch Bishop of Canterbury still remained Anglican, as opposed to Roman Catholic. In 1530, after years of disagreements with Rome, KHVIII broke all ties with Rome, naming himself the head of Christ's Church on earth, as opposed to the Pope. We still believe today that Queen Elizabeth is Christ's chosen human leader of all Christian people, who in turn dictates that authority to the Bishop of Canterbury (who has no actual doctirnal powers other than to enforce what is in the Bible and the teachings of the apostles) So you see, KHVIII didn't start something new, he merely made himself the head of something that already existed.

Harding, Mary- The Coming of Christianity to Anglo-Saxon England
Thomas, Charles- Christianity in Roman Britain.

[HappyChristian]

Anglicanism existed as just a plain old Christian community until Augustine arrived in 597 BC to become the first Arch Bishop of Canterbury. At this time, the Church of Rome was still holding to traditional Christianity and even when it evovled into a neo-political creature that taught doctrines contrary to the apostles, the Arch Bishop of Canterbury still remained Anglican, as opposed to Roman Catholic. In 1530, after years of disagreements with Rome, KHVIII broke all ties with Rome, naming himself the head of Christ's Church on earth, as opposed to the Pope. We still believe today that Queen Elizabeth is Christ's chosen human leader of all Christian people, who in turn dictates that authority to the Bishop of Canterbury (who has no actual doctirnal powers other than to enforce what is in the Bible and the teachings of the apostles) So you see, KHVIII didn't start something new, he merely made himself the head of something that already existed.

Harding, Mary- The Coming of Christianity to Anglo-Saxon England
Thomas, Charles- Christianity in Roman Britain.

Thanks for the info - I'll have to check those books out!

[Jerry Howard]

Never mind.

[robycop3]

I don't think there should be any question among Baptists that the use of 'prayer beads' , etc. is a SIN, because it violates Matthew 6:7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."

Prayer should be done with CONSCIOUS THOUGHT, and not by rote or mindless repetition of something memorized.