So how do you explain this?: Mithra was god who took on the human form and was in fact born of a virgin. If such origins are not similar enough, he belonged to the holy trinity and was the link between Heaven and Earth. Not surprisingly, he ascended into heaven after his death - he was in a tomb and it took him three days to be resurrected. Folowers of Mithraism believe in heaven and hell (with demons), a day of judgment, practise baptism, refer to Mithra as 'the Light of the World', 'Sheperd', 'Redeemer/Saviour', or even the 'Messiah'. They eat bread and drink of wine to symbolise Mithra's flesh and blood.

On top of this, Mithra had twelve companions and he travelled around, performing miracles. As in any religion, teaching of the great flood are in Mithraism as well. Oh, and of course, no wonder the Church made December 25th, the midnight, as Christ's official B-day. 'Cause Mithra's birthday was on the same date. Coincidence? Everyone knows that the Church merely wanted to monopolise on the worship on that date. Just as Mithra's day was Sunday.

I am not even going into Zoroastrianism yet... But it was the earliest example, without the messianic figure the likes of Jesus and Mithra.