[stareatgoats]

Many scholars believe there is at least a link, that's not fringe at all. But I agree that seeing patterns has always been a judgement call with a lot of biases playing into it, and different people with different backgrounds make different calls on the extent of such connections and influences.

The sum of all judgement calls in this case is however tainted by vehement opposition to the notion from devout Catholics (or even culturally loyal Catholics), who naturally can not bear to think that the Virgin Mary is connected to heathen gods whatsoever. So there is that.

From my point of view it is only natural that iconography and traditions are transferred from one religion to another as the different geographic regions historically have moved from one religion to another. Many times such transferal has even been a conscious tactic as a way of increasing the acceptance for the new beliefs.

[stareatgoats]

PS: > How else would you carry statues around?

Many (most?) cultures that are not connected to the Mediterranean traditions don't carry statues of gods around at all.

[clarionbell]

Hindus do that. With carts and everything, and their connection to mediterrenean is pretty sparse. During Lunar new year people carry dragon effigy.

So that covers two other major civilization centers on this planet. What does that leave us with? Maybe some cultures in sub-saharan africa? But there's definitely some connection there. So Americas?

TLDR: Opposite is true, carrying symbols of your religion, either by hand or in a vehicle, is extremely widespread.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_car https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_dance