fromdownunder

As far as scientology goes, the first Dianetics article (and book) were published early in 1950, and it became pretty popular fairly quickly in 1950 before medical groups almost put a stop to the whole thing, and forced Hubbard to back off, and do a rethink.

I know that there were Princess Di death conspiracy theories on the web and spreading within two days of her death. That's pretty quick.

Norm

Fr.Andrew

It's not so much about religion, but Richard Carrier does a fine job here showing how fast a myth can spread.

Tharmas

Not to mention Ghost Dances - another case where a destroyed people seek redemption through a mystical religion. See here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_dance

aa5874

The spread of Christianity is not a result of the mythology or the history of Jesus. The spread of Christianity is a direct result of colonisation, slavery and political power. A quick look at your map and you will see the geographical locations of all the major religions.

The Mormon religion is a good example of how religions are spread. After 200 yrs, the state of Utah is predominantly of Mormonism, if the State of Utah had the abilty to colonise other countries without hindrance and destroy the religion of those countries they colonise ,then the Mormons woud have similar success as Christianity.

The Roman Empire was a powerful entity of which Roman Catholicism was the major religion. Christianity's popularity is a direct result of that Empire.

David B

Post Constantine, then you have a real point.

Before?

David B

aa5874

Well, what do we know of Mormonism before Joseph Smith? If we conclude that religions are mythical, then there is no propagation by any divine means, rapid propagation can only be achieved through the use of force, political and or economical.

The spread of the Islamic religion is another example of this political and economic force that gives religions its foundation. After less than 2000 years, there are over a billion Muslims as a direct result of the unity of Church and State.

Christianity, as is evident, is slowly losing its grip on the western world because of the loss of its political power base and will ultimately disintegrate. The fact that there is no evidence of the existence of any Gods, all religions that are not tied to political power will only be symbolic.

David B

We know that there was no such thing as Mormonism before Joseph Smith.

Oh, rubbish! Myths emerge all the time, without force. Look at cargo cults, and any web site that looks at urban myths.

I'm not suggesting that political and and economic factors never have an influence - though it is hard to see how the aided the propagation of Islam in its early years. But to claim that economic and political force is the sole means of propagation of religions or any other myths seems to me....inaccurate.

Sadly, that is not all that evident. Certainly Christianity is less powerful now than it was before the Reformation, when it had a pretty arbitrary power of life and death over people - much like Islam has now, in some areas of the world.

In America, some areas of Africa, it seems evident to me, though, Christianity is gaining power. As is Islam, in some other areas of the world.

David B

epepke

The belief that spinach has a lot of iron became widespread within a few years and is about a century old. Totally bogus, of course.

aa5874

Was there Roman Catholicism before Constatine?



I am refering to major Myths like Christianity, Muslims, Judaism and Hinduism, not the little Jim Jones, David Koresh and endless cults that pop up all over the Globe.



I think you should check your history books. If a religion is based on a mythical entity, can that religion be spread by that entity?





All religions throughtout history have evolved, some will eventually disappear, others will become fragmented. Neither Christianity nor Islam is immune from that phenomena. You should never forget that they are all myth related.

Asha'man

Fictional beliefs can become widespread almost instantly. Consider the conspiracy theories about the assassination of JFK, and the idea of a 2nd shooter on the grassy knoll. I'm moderately certain that idea spread across the entire nation within a single year, if not mere weeks.