The phrase "pagan roots" refers to the original or ancient practices, beliefs, or customs that are associated with polytheistic religions and cultures before the rise of Christianity or other major religions. Full definition
I realize he claims that his form of Gnosticism is ancient with pagan roots, and that the official Christian Church rejected early Gnosticism, to its eternal detriment. (nakedpastor.com)
Halloween is the holiday equivalent of Wicca — a 20th century invention that pretends to have ancient pagan roots. (firstthings.com)
Anyways I have always thought that Christian morals were strange, since they mostly come from pagan roots. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)