Freethought & Rationalism Archive

HumanisTim · 06-05-2002, 05:51 AM

Lets imagine that Constantine had never converted to christianity. Do you think christianity would have eventually grown to what it is today. OR would it have died out or else remain an obscure off shoot of judiasm. If he hadn't converted would mithra worship for example. HAve become a major world religon. We can never know for sure how it would have went. But it could be interesting to ponder :-).

IvanK · 06-05-2002, 07:12 AM

There were several other (non-supernatural) factors that contributed to the rise of Christianity, so I'd have to say it was probably more or less inevitable in the same sense that, say, the American Civil War was inevitable. Recommended reading: Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

Koyaanisqatsi · 06-05-2002, 07:23 AM

First, I have no idea whether or not Constantine actually converted or not; the terminology itself is suspect. The victors write the history and it has always sounded far more like rather transparent propaganda to me than anything else.

My opinion: the version of christianity that Constantine "converted" to was nothing more than a Roman concocted theological assault on what they couldn't conquer militarily (Judaism). If you can't beat them, corrupt them anyway possible.

Food for thought.

Emotional Naturalist · 06-05-2002, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim Sweitzer:
<strong>Do you think christianity would have eventually grown to what it is today. OR would it have died out or else remain an obscure off shoot of judiasm.
</strong>

Monotheism, being the highly contagious virus it is, has better chance of triumph over polytheism. Were it not for Christianity, the world would be much more Islamic than it is now.

Abacus · 06-05-2002, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim Sweitzer:
<strong>Lets imagine that Constantine had never converted to christianity. Do you think christianity would have eventually grown to what it is today. OR would it have died out or else remain an obscure off shoot of judiasm. If he hadn't converted would mithra worship for example. HAve become a major world religon. We can never know for sure how it would have went. But it could be interesting to ponder :-).</strong>

Maybe it would have, maybe it wouldn't. Who can really say?

I know one thing though. If he hadn't converted, I would never have been born.

06-05-2002, 05:51 AM	#1
HumanisTim Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Reading,PA Posts: 233	A What if Lets imagine that Constantine had never converted to christianity. Do you think christianity would have eventually grown to what it is today. OR would it have died out or else remain an obscure off shoot of judiasm. If he hadn't converted would mithra worship for example. HAve become a major world religon. We can never know for sure how it would have went. But it could be interesting to ponder :-).

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06-05-2002, 07:12 AM	#2
IvanK Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 2,016	There were several other (non-supernatural) factors that contributed to the rise of Christianity, so I'd have to say it was probably more or less inevitable in the same sense that, say, the American Civil War was inevitable. Recommended reading: Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

06-05-2002, 07:23 AM	#3
Koyaanisqatsi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Yes, I have dyslexia. Sue me. Posts: 6,508	First, I have no idea whether or not Constantine actually converted or not; the terminology itself is suspect. The victors write the history and it has always sounded far more like rather transparent propaganda to me than anything else. My opinion: the version of christianity that Constantine "converted" to was nothing more than a Roman concocted theological assault on what they couldn't conquer militarily (Judaism). If you can't beat them, corrupt them anyway possible. Food for thought.

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