To The Intelligent Atheists only who have historical Knowledge?

Question

The Roman Empire which lasted For 1600 years before Christianity overtook it.
Even when Christian Preachers were teaching in Rome Many of these preachers were Executed on the Cross
Historical Data States that around 300 A.D. was the time when the Roman Aristocracy and Elite of Rome Converted to Christianity and the power got Transferred to The Roman Catholic Church

I want to Know why and how did so many people(that to Elite) convert so suddenly.
What was the position of Rome Political, Economical etc
During that time?
(P.S. I do not believe that because so many people converted the Bible is the truth)

Answer 1

Constantine began to get notions of making himself the Emperor when he was a general, stationed in Britain. At that time, there was a small community of Christians in Rome. They were generally tolerated, but every now and then some of them would get uppity, and get fed to the lions, so they pretty much kept their beliefs a secret. A lot of these Christians held posts in the Roman civil service... and Constantine had some of them in his retinue. Constantine conspired with the Christians to provide him with intelligence (spies) and to provide targeted disruptions back in Rome (sabotage) in return for his patronage and protection. So, when he announced this patronage and protection, he essentially absorbed a ready-made '5th column', which was already embedded within Roman society throughout the whole empire, and they were easily able to transform their 'religious cult' communications networks to purposes of political/military communications, intrigue and intelligence on behalf of Constantine. With this advantage in place, Constantine embarked from Britain, and conducted a military campaign in which he defeated Roman forces in detail, and ultimately ascended to the throne.

By the way... at this time, Christians numbered in the thousands. They were wide-spread, but there were not numerous in very many specific locations.

Duly noting how well the Christian underground network had served him, and taking note that he did not have the necessary military forces to garrison the whole empire, it occurred to him that he could suborn the religious cult which had served him to well to a role which keep the peace in the empire through a threat of eternal damnation, rather than threat of military reprisal. So, clerics replaced military garrisons, and the military forces were placed at the disposal of the clergy, and utilized to suppress and destroy pagan infrastructure, in favor of the Christ-cult. This worked so well, that the end result was humanity being dragged into the Dark Ages by Christianity. So, essentially, Christianity was spread at the point of a sword, as a reward for services rendered... spying, sabotage, assasinations... by the Christians.

Oh, yeah... it was only the particular Christ-cult who had aided Constantine directly who benefited from this... the rest were suppressed, along with the Pagans.

By the way... interesting footnote... the so-called 'barbarian' tribes which led to the ultimate demise of the Roman Empire were, in fact, Christians.

Answer 2

Even though I'm Catholic, i will conceed to the fact that the Church was corrupt at times. Think about, the Roman officials convert to Christianity and suddenly the whole Empire becomes a believer. Roman official is the key word here. If the romans said to believe in something you did, but not because it's what you believe, but because if you don't they'll chop off your head or throw you in with the lions. I'd say that makes for a great incentive program. But on the serious side, becoming a christian is a personal decision not something you can be forced to do.

Answer 3

Simple. At that time, Constatine was Emperor. He was an astute politician and understood psychology of the masses... He saw that many people were changing to christianity, and beleived that if he was to maintain his empire as it was, he was going to have to convert. So, he simply made Christianity the official religion of his Empire, and took all pagan sympbols and stole them, transfering them into Chrstian symbols. Jesus' halo - originally a sun disk... Xmas date - originally the birth of Mithras, another god who was born of a virgin, died and was ressurected.

Those in power make the rules. Constantine made the new rules, convened the Council of Nicea and changed the course of religion forever.

Answer 4

Christianity was already a burgeoning religion. Emperor Constantine accepted it as the state religion for a few reasons- not least of which was to flow in the direction of the people.

Constantine was a fascinating character. Certainly worth looking into.

Answer 5

Because of Constantine. If the Emperor says to convert you convert.

Answer 6

It was probably down to the growing popularity of christianity so they decided if we make it official and write the bible then we can control it more efficiently. And christianity is still being controlled today.

Answer 7

The Roman Empire fell to barbaric German tribes that invaded it.

That was the whole ironic part..