Atheists: "Thank you for Christianity"

[_richardMdBorn]

The Roman Empire was not co-opted by Christianity. Constantine made Christianity a state religion probably because with one God, was beneficial for any ruler to use as a power mechanism. More than one God dilutes the power anyone can gain from using that God as an authority.

You need to read Rodney Stark and Roger Finke's The Rise of Christianity. Constantine was a monotheist well before his encounter with the Christian God. He was a worshipper of Sol Invictus, the sun god. He adopted Christianity as his state religion not because it was monotheistic, but because it was already well on its way to becoming the dominant religious force in the empire. It was growing extremely quickly, especially among elites, and Constantine saw its potential as a unifying force if he could just accelerate the process of its proliferation. He may also have had some kind of real spiritual experience wherein he believed he had actually witnessed the power of the Christian God. To some extent, Constantine merely recognized the religious reality that already existed in the empire-- that it was being co-opted by Christianity-- and embraced it rather than trying to stamp it out as several of his predecessors had done.

California Kid, it is not particularly relevant what Constantine's beliefs are, what is critical are the beliefs of the Roman people. If the majority were pagan, having beliefs in many Gods, any ruler would have less power to gain if they acted as representatives of those Gods, than they would a single God. More than one God with equal stature means no one God has ultimate authority. I said that was probably a factor for him. According to my history book Christianity was making inroads into roman thought, but only 1 in 5 inhabitants of the Roman Empire were Christian, so the religious reality was that the Christians at the time of Constantine were far from being in the majority. Without Constantine making it a state religion it is anyone's guess whether Christianity would have become the success it is today.

Constantine did not make Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire. He made it a tolerated religion. It was Theodosius in 391 who made it the state religion.

[_marg]

]Constantine did not make Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire. He made it a tolerated religion. It was Theodosius in 391 who made it the state religion.

You are absolutely correct. Constantine made it legal, not a state religion, gave it financial support and withdrew support from pagan churches. He made it the de facto official religion of the Roman Empire.

[_Moniker]

My inner bitchy teen is giggling outloud 'cause marg was wrong...........

that pleases her...........


;P

[_dartagnan]

That's a hilarious sig line marg.

I guess you're still frustrated that nobody is buying what you're selling. Now you have to resort to cheap tactics one would expect from a political poster that makes outrageous claims that aren't true. You're desperate for someone to be on yoru side here I can see.

Nobody believes I was "flagrantly dishonest" and "stole" information. Not even you.

You're fishing for support and not getting it, and you're pissed about it.

Wow.

[_marg]

That's a hilarious sig line marg.

Glad you like it.