Freethought & Rationalism Archive

mountainman · 05-12-2006, 10:36 PM

When the word martyr is used with respect to the history
of the three pre-Nicaean centuries it is usually inferred as being
related to christianity.

However in many accounts, the main charge against those who
were purportedly martrys, was that they ....
refused to sacrifice to the gods
for the safety of the emperor.

AFAIK all the emperors were considered as part of the pantheon of
the gods, while they lived and after their death, they were deified.
The act of sacrifice to the gods prior to the first century CE seems
to have been part of the common law of the Roman empire.

According to a number of sources, Apollonius of Tyana was instrumental
during his lifetime in being essentially a "conscientious objector" against
the act of sacrifice. His book "On Sacrifice" is quoted by Eusebius.

Quote:

"Tis best to make no sacrifice to God at all,
no lighting of a fire, no calling Him by any name
that men employ for things to sense.
For God is over all, the first;
and only after Him do come the other Gods.

For He doth stand in need of naught e’en from the Gods,
much less from us small men -
naught that the earth brings forth,
nor any life she nurseth, or even
any thing the stainless air contains.

The only fitting sacrifice to God is man’s best reason,
and not the word that comes from out his mouth.

We men should ask the best of beings
through the best thing in us,
for what is good - mean by means of mind,
for mind needs no material things to make its prayer.
So then, to God, the mighty One, who’s over all,
no sacrifice should ever be lit up.”

This seems to be an unlawful comment in the period in question
with respect to the observance of Roman law and the enactment of
sacrifice to the gods (and emperor(s)). Followers of such a philosophy
would obviously have refused to make sacrifice to the gods when and
if they were commanded to do so.

The fictional accounts of pre-Nicaean christian martyrs by Eusebius and
others could have drawn on some semblance of reality, nothing related
to christianity, but everything related to the "conscientious objection"
to the making of sacrifice under Roman law.

What percentage of (purported) christian martyrs were primarily so
through refusal to enact sacrifice? Does anyone have a ball-park
estimate? Thanks for any info, or comments.

Pete BrownPete Brown
http://www.mountainman.com.au/namaste_2006.htm
NAMASTE: “The spirit in me honours the spirit in you”

Steven Carr · 05-13-2006, 01:43 AM

Robin Lane Fox's Pagans and Christians is good on this subject.

andrewcriddle · 05-13-2006, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainman

What percentage of (purported) christian martyrs were primarily so
through refusal to enact sacrifice? Does anyone have a ball-park
estimate? Thanks for any info, or comments.

Pete BrownPete Brown
http://www.mountainman.com.au/namaste_2006.htm
NAMASTE: “The spirit in me honours the spirit in you”

The great majority of Christian Martyrs were executed for refusal to enact sacrifice in the sense that they could have prevented their conviction by performing such sacrifice.

Their original arrest and prosecution may well have been on quite other grounds. Eg for openly proclaiming their Christianity.

Andrew Criddle

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

05-13-2006, 01:43 AM	#2
Steven Carr Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: England Posts: 5,629	Robin Lane Fox's Pagans and Christians is good on this subject.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.