Origins

Gargoyles have been around for centuries, with the first recorded sighting in the 12th century. There are many theories about their origins, with the most popular being that they were created to ward off evil spirits. Whatever their purpose, they have become an intricate part of religious history and continue to be a popular sight in many cathedrals and churches.

Early history

Coffee likely originates in Ethiopia, where it is thought to have been discovered by a goatherd in the 11th century. According to legend, the goatherd, named Kaldi, noticed that his goats became especially frisky after eating the berries from a certain tree. He tried the berries himself and felt invigorated. After sharing his discovery with the local monks, they made a drink with the berries and found that it helped them stay awake during their long hours of prayer. Coffee was born.

The coffee plant is native to Ethiopia and was first cultivated there. Coffee then spread to Egypt and Yemen. By the 15th century, coffee was being grown in Persia, Turkey, Syria and India. The first coffeehouses began appearing in Europe in the 1600s, and coffee quickly became popular. It was introduced to America in 1723.

pagan religious beliefs

Paganism is a term first used in the 4th century by early Christians for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism. This was either because they were increasingly rural and provincial relative to the Christian population, or because they were not milites Christi (soldiers of Christ). Alternate terms in Christian texts for the same group included hellenes. Pagans and paganism were pejorative terms for polytheism, implying its inferiority.

Christianity

Christianity is one of the most popular religions in the world and has been for centuries. Christians believe in one God who created the world and everything in it. They believe in the Bible as the word of God and Jesus as the son of God. Christians are called to follow Jesus’s teachings and to spread his message to others.

Use in churches and cathedrals

Gargoyles are believed to serve several purposes on churches and cathedrals. The most commonly cited purpose is that gargoyles were placed on buildings to scare away evil spirits. It was also thought that the water that ran off of the gargoyles’ back would purify the area around the cathedral, because rain was considered holy water. Gargoyles were also used as a way to protect the cathedral from damage. It was thought that the gargoyles would deflect any evil intent towards the building.

The Reformation

The Reformation was a religious movement that began in the 16th century as a response to what many Christians considered to be the excesses of the Roman Catholic Church. Led by figures such as Martin Luther, John Calvin and Henry VIII, the Reformation ultimately resulted in the establishment of Protestantism as a major branch of Christianity.

Modern beliefs

Though often seen as grotesque and frightening, gargoyles have a long and varied religious history. Once serving as guardians and protectors, these stone carvings now exist primarily as adornments on modern buildings. Learn about gargoyles religious history and modern beliefs surrounding these unique carvings.

Widespread interest

Although interest in gargoyles has been around for centuries, it was not until the late 1800s that a more widespread interest occurred. A number of books were published on the subject, and gargoyles could be found adorning everything from churches to homes.

One of the most popular theories behind the Gargoyle’s popularity is that they were seen as protectors. It was believed that by placing these creatures on building, they would be able to ward off evil spirits. This theory is likely rooted in the fact that many of the earliest gargoyles were found on churches and other religious buildings.

While the Gargoyle’s popularity has waxed and waned over the years, there has always been a steady interest in these unique creatures. In more recent years, this interest has been fueled by a number of Hollywood films featuring gargoyles, such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Disney’s Gargoyles.

New religious movements

New religious movements (NRMs), sometimes termed “cults”,[1] are religious groups that exist outside of the mainstream of society. There is no single defining characteristic of NRMs, as they come in a range of types with a variety of beliefs; some display a single recognizable religious system (such as Mormonism or Scientology), while others have no central ideology (such as the Unification Church or Eckankar). They typically have novel beliefs and practices that diverge significantly from mainstream religions, as well as a central authority figure who claims absolute spiritual insight or revelation.

The term “cult” has been used pejoratively to refer to any NRM, but particularly those seen as oppressive, deceptive or harmful. Scholars do not all agree on the definition of a cult; some use it exclusively to describe groups they deem problematic, while others employ a more sociological approach.