In Rome, there were more slaves than citizens. Slaves weren't allowed in the nice, marble temples so had to join other expressions of spirituality. Many slaves became Christians and began systematic attacks on the temples, beliefs, and pagans of Rome. Rome had many cults, so why would Christians be singled out for such harsh punishments? They must have been a social movement that struck from the shadows, fearless of death in their actions, attacking the Institutions of Rome's civilized society. What do you think about this theory? Is there another reason why Christians would have been so persecuted in pagan Roman times?
2006-09-09 06:04:39 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I hope this is clearer in it's intent than my earlier message today.
2006-09-09 06:05:23 · update #1
Please explain why Christians were persecuted in ancient Rome.
2006-09-09 06:15:31 · update #2
Insurgent want us to kill them. They came here and asked us to.
2006-09-09 06:31:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some of your statement is not true. For one, only a very small proportion of Romans lived in marble temples. The ordinary citizens lived in wooden shacks huddled together in slums. Waste was disposed of in the ditches.
Of all the hundreds of books that I've read about the Roman civilization, I've never heard of any Christian attacks against the Romans.
The reason that Christians were singled out is because they were different. Whenever there's some way to divide people the larger group will blame the smaller group for all misfortunes.
Think of the Jews in pre-war Germany. What threat were the Jews to Germany ? They were good hard working citizens. But Hitler needed some group to blame for the problems Germany was having. Did you ever hear of the Jews forming an army to fight against the German wiermacht ? They'd be as goofy as Christians attacking Rome.
2006-09-09 13:40:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Rome any group that didn't follow the Emperor's likes and dislikes were persecuted. Groups persecuted each other. Many cults were persecuted and Christianity was just one of them. When Christianity was gaining popularity they used this as a tool to gain advantage. Most of the persecution stuff is Hollywood made anyway. When Constantine became Emperor and Christianity became the official religion of Rome, they persecuted the pagans and others in an effort to convert them to Christianity.
2006-09-09 13:15:08 · answer #3 · answered by worldneverchanges 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even before Christ, Jews were persecuted for their refusal to bow. They later joined with Christians in refusing to worship Roman gods & Roman governors (which was a requirement as a citizen).
The Roman government wasn't particularly kind to anyone (religious or otherwise) who didn't or couldn't pay the taxes it imposed
Jesus was heralded as the King of the Jews. During His time, His message was that of a "New Kingdom" that He would bring. Several Jewish sects expected this to not only happen in their generation, but also to overthrow Roman tyrants. For some, this New Kingdom was their cry - they totally missed the point, thus creating much of the "insurgency" you speak of.
Christians weren't the only ones persecuted, just the majority
2006-09-09 13:13:52 · answer #4 · answered by azar_and_bath 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess it depends on your viewpoint. From the Christian viewpoint they were persecuting a religion. From a Roman viewpoint they were getting rid of a potential problem.
There is no evidence that early Christians were violent toward any other religion at the time you are speaking of ...that came later when they came into power-absolute power etc. However it was not just a slave religion. Many Roman citizens were turning to the Way, as it was known. This was in direct violation of Roman law. That is probably what did it.
2006-09-09 13:17:03 · answer #5 · answered by songbird092962 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dude,
what kind of logic are you using? And where did you get the idea that christians systematically attacked temples, beliefs and pagans? I agree they may have attacked religious beliefs, in the sense of converting people, but I've never heard of them physically attacking anything structures in Rome. I believe they were persecuted because they were different, because they believed in the One True God, rather than many gods and they were a tight-knit society. They would not profess that the emporer was a god, which was a big reason for being persecuted also.
2006-09-09 13:13:40 · answer #6 · answered by jumbyhead 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Romans saw christians as inceraing danger for the Republica,they were danger to the country so punishing them wasnt illegal according to ancient customs and laws
I dont want to sound stupid but rome had loads of problems than with barberians, the morality of the army ect.,the last thing they needed was a civil war
2006-09-09 13:15:04 · answer #7 · answered by Alex J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there any evidence that Christians began attacking the institutions of Roman society?
2006-09-09 13:08:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the previous answer. In Rome the ceasar was a god, so denying him was rather like a bunch of people's insurgency, even if Christians meant no harm.
2006-09-09 13:13:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unlike 'insurgents' early Christian were the 'I will die for my God' kind or martyrs, rather than the 'I will kill as many people as possible for God'.
There's a difference...
2006-09-09 13:08:09 · answer #10 · answered by Tofu Jesus 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋