Our reporter
As millions of Christians worldwide prepare to observe Lent and Ash Wednesday, a closer look at the origins of these traditions reveals a history intertwined with ancient Babylonian customs. While many assume Lent commemorates the 40-day fast of Jesus Christ in the wilderness, historical and biblical analysis suggests a strikingly different origin—one that predates Christianity and is rooted in the ancient practices of Babylon.
The tradition of a 40-day period of fasting and mourning can be traced back to ancient Babylon, where it was known as the “Forty Days of Weeping for Tammuz.” Tammuz, a prominent figure in Babylonian mythology, was said to have been a mighty hunter like his father, Nimrod. According to legend, Tammuz was killed by a wild boar at the age of 40, leading his mother, Semiramis, to institute a period of mourning in his honour. For each year of his life, the people of Babylon were commanded to fast and pray, a practice that closely mirrors the Christian observance of Lent today.
The Bible itself references the mourning for Tammuz in Ezekiel 8:13-14: “Turn you yet again, and you shall see greater abominations that they do. Then he brought me to the door of the gate of Yahuah’s house which was toward the north; And, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.” This passage suggests that such practices were viewed as abominations in the eyes of God, raising questions about their incorporation into Christian customs.
Another notable connection between modern Christian traditions and Babylonian rites is the practice of applying ashes to the forehead on Ash Wednesday. This ritual bears a resemblance to the Babylonian custom of marking the faithful with a cross—the Cross of Tammuz—symbolising devotion to the ancient deity.
Even the words spoken by priests during Ash Wednesday ceremonies, “From dust you came, and to dust you shall return,” echo elements of Babylonian funeral rites. While the intent behind Ash Wednesday is one of repentance, its resemblance to older, non-Christian traditions raises concerns among scholars and theologians about its true origins.
Further evidence linking modern Christian practices to ancient Babylonian religion can be found in the celebration of Easter. The very name “Easter” is believed by some to be derived from “Ishtar,” the Babylonian goddess of fertility and war. Ishtar was worshipped as the Queen of Heaven, a title also mentioned in the Bible in Jeremiah 7:18-19: “The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.”
The widespread tradition of baking “hot cross buns” during Easter may be a continuation of this practice, originally intended as an offering to Ishtar. The symbol of the cross on these buns, often believed to represent the crucifixion of Christ, could in fact be a vestige of the ancient worship of Tammuz.
A lesser-known claim links the famous Statue of Liberty to Ishtar worship. The statue, gifted to the United States by French Freemasons, bears a striking resemblance to depictions of Ishtar, who was often associated with the torch or light of Lucifer in ancient texts. Facing east, the statue is said to symbolise the influence of ancient sun worship—a practice explicitly condemned in Ezekiel 8:16: “And he brought me into the inner court of Yeshuah’s house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of Yeshuah, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of Yeshuah, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.”
Given the weight of historical evidence, it is worth questioning whether modern Christian observances such as Lent and Easter have more in common with ancient pagan rites than with biblical teachings. Scholars suggest that early Roman Catholic authorities may have adopted these practices to assimilate pagan converts, blending Christian theology with pre-existing traditions.
For those who seek to follow biblical principles, the challenge remains: should traditions rooted in ancient paganism continue to be observed in the name of faith, or is it time to re-examine and realign religious practices with scriptural truth?
As we enter the season of Lent, it is an opportune moment for reflection—not just on personal faith, but on the origins and significance of the customs that shape religious observance today.
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