"Scratch the Christian and you find the pagan - spoiled"

This quote by Israel Zangwill is a commentary on the nature of Christianity and its relationship to paganism. He suggests that, in spite of the reality that Christianity is a significant world religious beliefs, it is still rooted in paganism. He implies that, if one were to look underneath the surface of Christianity, they would discover the pagan beliefs and customs that it is built upon. This quote could be interpreted as a criticism of Christianity, as it suggests that the religion is not as pure or as original as it declares to be. It might likewise be viewed as a suggestion that Christianity is not the only religion worldwide, which it has been influenced by other beliefs and customs. Eventually, this quote serves as a suggestion that Christianity is not an entirely special faith, however rather a combination of various beliefs and traditions.