The ancient cult of Mithras was surprisingly similar to early Christianity:-

1. They both believed in the existence of the soul, and the existence of Heaven above and Hell down below.
2. They both believed in final judgement, with the faithful being saved.
3. Christianity adopted December 25th as the birthday of Jesus, a date which had been previously reserved for Mithras' birthday.
4. Both Mithras and Christ were supposedly visited by shepherds and the Magi.
5. It is claimed that both considered their holy day to be Sunday.
6. Mithras performed miracles, healed the sick, raised the dead and cast out demons too.
7. Mithras carried the "keys to the kingdom of Heaven", just like St Peter.
8. He even had a Last Supper with twelve disciples, each representing a sign of the Zodiac.

There are more striking similarities here.

[link to en.wikipedia.org]

What do you make of this?