I'm posting this at STR and TAW, and hoping someone might have heard it before.
I found out today that there is a school of thought among some that the first council of Epheses elevated the role of Mary in order to quash the worship on pagan goddesses. The argument goes that this was a way of shoring up patriarchy, and it seems to come from modern neo-pagan sources.
Now, I understand the main events of the council. What I am wondering is if there are some historical facts that could account for this rather odd interpretation - like, was there a serious problem with worship of pagan goddesses at that time?
Or is it a totally wack-job conspiracy theory?
I found out today that there is a school of thought among some that the first council of Epheses elevated the role of Mary in order to quash the worship on pagan goddesses. The argument goes that this was a way of shoring up patriarchy, and it seems to come from modern neo-pagan sources.
Now, I understand the main events of the council. What I am wondering is if there are some historical facts that could account for this rather odd interpretation - like, was there a serious problem with worship of pagan goddesses at that time?
Or is it a totally wack-job conspiracy theory?