The church of God has long tied various holidays to paganism and Satan worship, including practices associated with Tammuz and other false gods who were merely men or demons, as seen in Ezekiel 8:3-17. God soundly condemns such practices in Jeremiah 10:1-6, 16:20, and 44:17-25, revealing His disdain for worship tied to these figures. Just as with other pagan customs, the traditions of the modern Olympics may carry echoes of ancient worship, prompting a need to reflect on their origins and alignment with God's way of life.

History reveals that the cross, a symbol deeply associated with mainstream Christianity, has origins in pagan antiquity. Historians note that it was linked to the false savior Tammuz, the illegitimate son of the goddess mother Semiramis from the 23rd century BC. The original form of the cross is believed to have derived from the first letter of Tammuz's name, the capital 'T'. More than 800 years before the Christian era, the cross was honored as a religious symbol by the people of Assyria and Babylon, appearing on their oldest monuments. This association with Tammuz underscores the pagan roots of the cross, long predating its adoption by Christian traditions.

In a vision shown to Ezekiel by God, a future time is revealed when Israel worships other gods, provoking God to jealousy. This vision includes the lamenting of Tammuz, also associated with Adonis and supposed to be Baal, in a lewd and idolatrous manner. This worship of the sun god is not depicted as occurring in Ezekiel's time but is presented as a prophecy of a later era. Additionally, an even greater abomination is seen in the same vision, where sun worship is evident, further highlighting the extent of idolatry foreseen for Israel.

The tau, or the cross, was a revered symbol in ancient times, long before the time of Christ, and is linked to Tammuz, the sun god, also known as Nimrod. The shape of the cross, particularly the mystic Tau, represents the initial of Tammuz's name and was used as a symbol in ancient Chaldea and nearby regions, including Egypt. Variations of this symbol appear in nearly every ancient religion, highlighting its deep roots in pagan beliefs.

Long before the coming of Christ, pagans used the cross as a religious symbol, and its connection to Tammuz is significant. According to historian Alexander Hislop, Tammuz was closely linked to the Babylonian mystery religions that originated with the worship of Nimrod, Semiramis, and her illegitimate son, Horus. The original form of the Babylonian letter T, which was the initial of Tammuz, resembled the crosses used today in this world's Christianity. This symbol, associated with Tammuz, raises questions about the true representation of the manner in which Jesus Christ died.

The festival of Easter incorporates pagan elements tied to ancient deities, including Tammuz, who is also known under various names such as Attis, Osiris, Dionysus, and Orpheus. Tammuz, a god of ever-reviving vegetation, was believed to be born of a virgin, to die, and to be reborn annually. This cycle was celebrated in ancient times during a festival that began as a day of blood on Black Friday and culminated after three days in a day of rejoicing over the resurrection. In regions where Christian worship of Jesus Christ and pagan worship of Tammuz as Attis coexisted, there were bitter disputes over which deity was the true prototype and which the imitation, highlighting the deep-rooted pagan influences within the observance of Easter.

Tammuz, in the context of ancient Babylonian beliefs, was worshipped as the god incarnate, the promised baby son of Baal, who was considered the savior of the world. This reverence for Tammuz tied into the broader pagan celebrations that have persisted through time. He was believed to be the son of the sun god Baal, a central figure in these ancient practices. According to the accounts, Tammuz loved rabbits, which became sacred in the Babylonian mystery religion. His death by a wild pig led to further myths, with his mother Semiramis claiming that some of his blood fell on an evergreen stump, causing it to grow into a full tree overnight, thus making the evergreen tree sacred by his blood. She also proclaimed that Tammuz had ascended to his father Baal, and they would be worshipped together in the flame of a sacred candle or lamp as father and son. Semiramis established a forty-day period of sorrow each year before the anniversary of Tammuz's death, during which no meat was to be eaten, and the people were to meditate on the sacred mysteries of Baal and Tammuz, making the sign of a T on their hearts in his memory. Cakes with a T on top, known as hot cross buns, were eaten to honor him. Additionally, the day known as Ishtar or Easter Sunday was celebrated with rabbits and eggs, commemorating the resurrection of Tammuz, believed to be the begotten son of the sun god, with the custom of eating pig on that day stemming from the story of his death. These practices highlight the deep-rooted pagan origins that God warns against, urging His people to separate from such customs.

In the vision given to Ezekiel, as recorded in Ezekiel 8:14-15, God brought him to the north gate of the Lord's house in Jerusalem, where he saw women wailing for Tammuz. God expressed dismay at this sight, questioning Ezekiel if he saw this abomination and warning that even greater abominations would be revealed. Further, in Ezekiel 8:17, God highlighted the severity of Judah's actions, noting that such idolatrous practices, including the worship of Tammuz, filled the land with violence and repeatedly provoked Him to anger. This direct connection between idolatry and societal violence underscores the profound impact of turning away from the true God, leading to a loss of respect for law and order.

The ancient Babylonian priestess Enheduanna taught ideas that challenge divine order, reflected in the myth of the goddess Inanna, who was married to a god named Tammuz, also known as Dumuzi. Despite this union, Inanna took lovers at will, refusing to be bound by the constraints of marriage as established by God. This disregard for divine principles highlights a persistent rebellion against what He ordained.

In a vision granted to the prophet Ezekiel, he witnessed a grievous abomination within the Temple in Jerusalem, where women were weeping for Tammuz. This pagan practice, steeped in ritual prostitution, mourned the death of a Mesopotamian god believed to be resurrected to new life. Such a rite stood in stark contrast to the true redemption and resurrection offered by the Son of God, revealing how deeply paganism had infiltrated Israelite society, even among the women. This distressing scene was part of a series of greater abominations that Ezekiel saw, each more wicked than the last, provoking God's anger and leading to His judgment upon the land.

The pervasive influence of Babylonian beliefs infiltrated the Israelites from the time they entered Canaan, as seen in their worship of false deities. Ezekiel 8:14 mentions women weeping for Tammuz, also known as Dumuzi, the husband of Ishtar, another name for the false goddess. This practice reflects the deep entrenchment of Babylonian spiritual corruption among the people, drawing them away from the true worship of God.

False teachers gradually persuaded many Paulicians in the church to celebrate certain idolatrous pagan holidays, particularly the Orthodox feast of Epiphany, supposedly in honor of Christ's birth and then circumcision on January 6. This celebration was, in reality, a pagan holiday in honor of the ancient Tammuz, the false Christ child, son of Nimrod and Semiramis. This ancient pagan celebration was syncretized into counterfeit Christianity, blending deceptive traditions with the name of Christ. The people of God, whether in ancient times or today, must stand firm against such idolatry and never presume to sin by adopting these false practices.

The cross, as a religious symbol, predates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, originating in the Babylonian mystery religions where it represented the god Tammuz. Its widespread use among pagan tribes highlights its ancient roots, long before it became associated with nominal Christianity during the time of Constantine, centuries after the crucifixion.