Freethought & Rationalism Archive

~M~ · 12-15-2006, 10:33 PM

I have stumbled across a historical error in Dawkins' latest book (or via: amazon.co.uk). On page 37 he claims that Constantine raised Christianity from a eccentric cult to the official religion. This is false. The person responsible for the officialness of Christianity is Theodosius.

Constantine is responsible for things like the Edict of Milan and aiding the Council of Nicaea but not making it the official religion. Just putting the word out.

~M~

Toto · 12-16-2006, 12:39 AM

Christianity in the Roman Empire

Quote:

Constantine, though previously a worshipper of Sol Invictus, the Sun God, took on support of Christianity with some zeal. He declared that his victory was owed to the god of the Christians and set about adopting an imperial policy to advance its cause. . . .

Christian Bishops under Constantine functioned in an official capacity as Imperial advisors. Tax exemptions were granted to Christian priests and money was granted from the Imperial treasury to provide for new and rebuilt churches. At a meeting of Bishops in Milan (313 AD) an edict (of Milan) was passed which essentially granted complete tolerance to all religions, but Christianity would benefit the most. Previous victims of various persecutions were also granted compensation directly from the Roman treasury. . . .

With Constantine's victory [over Licinius] he became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire and likely feeling more secure in his position, began to advance the Christian cause more earnestly. New Churches were built in Rome and around the empire, such as the new basilica church on the Vatican hill, . . .

You may be technically correct that Constantine did not make Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire, but he clearly gave it official support that raised Christianity's status from that of an eccentric cult and laid the foundation for its later official status.

Pavlov's Dog · 12-16-2006, 01:09 AM

He didn't say that Constantine made Christianity the official religion. Just that he raised it to the official religion. That is more a matter of opinion than fact.

Peter Kirby · 12-16-2006, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pavlov's Dog

He didn't say that Constantine made Christianity the official religion. Just that he raised it to the official religion. That is more a matter of opinion than fact.

This is a distinction without a difference.

Does someone want to quote Dawkins here?

Why is he commenting outside of his expertise anyway?

--
Peter Kirby

Pavlov's Dog · 12-16-2006, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Kirby

This is a distinction without a difference.

There is a difference. Saying somebody raised something from obscurity to the official religion does not mean that person actually signed the official document making it the official religion or made the official declaration calling it the official religion.

If someone says that the NAACP desegregated the schools it does not mean that they were factually incorrect because it was actually the Supreme Court that ordered the schools to desegregate. It is merely a matter of opinion giving the NAACP credit.

I can't say what Dawkins meant by it (and I don't really care) and it would not surprise me if it was a factual error, because most books have them, but it would also not surprise me if he was simply giving Constatine credit for raising Christianity to the level of the official religion, even if Theodosisus made the declaration that Christianity was the official religion.

Roger Pearse · 12-16-2006, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Christianity in the Roman Empire

It would be most interesting to see evidence that Constantine worshipped Sol Invictus. His early coins show Sol Invictus, I believe, but of course coin types are conservative and would tell us nothing about a ruler's personal views until or unless he consolidated his power.

All the best,

Roger Pearse

12-15-2006, 10:33 PM	#1
~M~ Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Toronto. Posts: 2,796	Factual Error in Dawkins' latest book: The God Delusion I have stumbled across a historical error in Dawkins' latest book (or via: amazon.co.uk). On page 37 he claims that Constantine raised Christianity from a eccentric cult to the official religion. This is false. The person responsible for the officialness of Christianity is Theodosius. Constantine is responsible for things like the Edict of Milan and aiding the Council of Nicaea but not making it the official religion. Just putting the word out. ~M~

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12-16-2006, 01:09 AM	#3
Pavlov's Dog Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,074	He didn't say that Constantine made Christianity the official religion. Just that he raised it to the official religion. That is more a matter of opinion than fact.

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