If Christians hadn't killed all of the non-Christians they could find during the middle ages?

Question

How much smaller do you think the religion would be? Would it even be a major world religion today. With so much of the violence and killing centered in the worlds most religiously populated areas, I think it is probable the answer is no. It is inherent that most parents pass their religion onto their children, but with all non-believers being persecuted or killed if they did not convert, it changed the religious landscape. I can tell you one thing; America almost certainly wouldn't have been founded off Christianity.

I think you need to more closely research the Christian movements beta. And yes, the ideas behind America's foundation were centered upon Christianity.

Yes, mostly during the first 200 years after Christianity's creation. An incredibly small number were killed compared to the destruction Christianity brought upon the world.

Troll, your post just makes absolutely no sense.

Tracy, I assure you I have done more homework than you have.

Answer 1

Christians did not go around killing all the non-Christians. Atheistic communism has killed more people than any religion.

The myths about the Spanish Inquistion are just recently being uncovered. The Protestant Inquisition was far worse. The Crusades were defensive wars rescuing the Holy Land from Muslem occupation.

Yes, some people sinned, but where you find people, you will find sin. Some people did abuse their power, but not as much as propagandists claim. When anyone abuses their power, that is sin, not Christianity.

Forced conversion is contrary to Christianity, because it violates a person's religious freedom and dignity.

Answer 2

That's misleading. Look back at the Crusades. Then look back further. Everything was pretty peaceful for the first few hundred years. Then Constantine made it a "state" religion. Christian writers at the time were rather outspoken at the problems with being a "state" religion. But since it meant no more lions, they were fairly quiet.

When Mohammed sacked Jerusalem in the early 600s, the Christian leadership didn't respond. In fact local clergy indicated that Jerusalem was so corrupt, the new "regime" could help. So there was no response by Christians.

Then in 1009, the muslim leadership unilaterally sacked the Pilgrim "Hospital" at the Church of the Holy Selpuchre, killing everyone and tearing down the church, even ripping the foundation out. He did so because it was a gathering of "infidels."

Again - no response from the Christians. They waited for the violence to subside. When, after nearly 90 years, nothing changed, then and ONLY then did they respond.

The Crusades were a response to violence, not the instigation.

The size of the Christian Church is attributed by most historians to the timing of improved transportation (the Roman road system), improved communication (printing technologies), and the timely freedoms that came under Constantine that allowed them to get their message out.

Periods of violence actually hurt the Church, not help it. Look at how much healthier the Roman Catholic Church is now than it was in the middle ages. The Great Schism could be reversed. The Church of England has been in talks of reunification with Rome as well. Armed conflict isn't accomplishing this.

Answer 3

It would probably look like the Pagan religions look now. And I love how people, Christians, point the finger and say it was all the Roman Catholics who did that. Protestants also did it. So did Baptists. King James was quoted, saying, that he loved the smell of burning Baptists. King James was Anglican I believe. They were ALL doing it. The people who fled the persecution were a mixture of all those different denominations. They were POOR people. It wasn't protestants fleeing Roman Catholic persecution. What nonsense! The people who had the most to fear were Non-Christians from All of the denominations Christianity during that time. Come on, once they were in America, who did the "Witch Hunts" here? It was not the Roman Catholic Church... it was Protestants (In Penn - these were the first Witch Hunts) and the Puritans in Salem which ended the Witch Craze in America.

BTW, back then Witch = Heretic... And anyone could accuse another of being in league with Satan and have that person killed. Most of the documents, even from the Roman Catholic Church, shows it was mostly bitter women and children who did the accusing during those times. But I honestly don't think they wiped out Pagans at all. Most of them converted to Christianity (at least in appearance) and others simply went underground. But "Witchcraft Laws" were in affect in most areas till, actually, most recently. England repealed the last of these laws in the late 30's - early 40's, which brought out Gardner and his Wicca idea.

Answer 4

Agreed 100%. All someone has to do is look at the Malleus Maleficarum to see how the early days of Christianity was filled with killing and torturing the non-Christians. And for those who think this was the work of non-Christians remember the Pope did nothing to try to stop it.

Answer 5

It was not christians who killed the dark ages. It was dangerous misconceived individuals who were zealous for power.

Christians would not have done what they did anymore than areal muslim would do what is being done throughout the world now.

Just because I do something in the name of Christ does not make me a believer.

Just because I do something for Islam doesnt make me a muslim etc.

Religion is not passed on by parents. Religion is a choice.
We make a choice to follow extremists or not.

History changes the lanscape with the help of nature and man's nature.

As a matter of fact christianity would be far more numerous and stronger without the history of the dark ages.

Answer 6

First, we can't actually call them Christians.

By and large most of the Crusaders were paid mercinaries. Professional fighters paid by Kings to liberate the Holy Land per the edit of the Pope.

These guys were paid to fight and they fought.

People do not MARCH on foot thousands of miles free of charge for "Holy reasons" to fight and die!

In the American Revolutioinary war the soliders were bribed with land, big bonus cash payments to be made at a later date and they commited for a period of time. The moment their time was up they left George Washington where he was camped and went home.

So much for PATRIOTISM in the Revoluationary war!

Answer 7

If you are given the choice between life or death, it's not really a choice is it? Whether that choice is given at the end of a gun barrel or with your neck securely placed against a blade - it is the physical reality of the religion itself. In the book, you are given the choice between eternity in heaven or eternity in hell. Again. No real choice there, wouldn't you agree? Consequently, no matter how you look at Christianity, be it the pages in the book or the manifestation of those pages in our physical reality by the believer, it amounts to the same thing. There is no argument for the believer. It's life or death be it the belief system itself or the manifestation of that belief system on the poor unfortunates who happen to be in the vicinity of those who accept this fractured logic.

On the lighter side, go out and rent, "Dressed to Kill" by Eddie Izzard. It's an HBO comedy special he did in 1999 that won him an Emmy Award. One of the pieces he does deals with the history of Pagan and Christian religions in Europe with the signature piece being called, "Cake or Death." In short, he sends up this insane non choice by offering the non believer, "Cake or death?" It's brilliant and hilarious. Definitely worth the rental.

Answer 8

You need to do some homework. Christians and Jews were persecuted during WW2 and even before that. There are parts in the world where Christians are still being persecuted and all because they believe Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior. Who do you think will make it to heaven, someone who denies Jesus Christ or someone who will die with Jesus Christ on his lips, I know who will. Read The Voices of the Martyrs and found out what was done to Christians or Tortured for Christ.

Answer 9

and your point is. . . . you could say the same about islam they also killed a large portion of people who did not follow their religion. i am not any particular religion, however, i do believe in a higher power and i don't care what a person claims their religion to be wether it is chritianity, islam or buddhism and they kill and say it is in the name of that religion then its not they are just using and exploiting that particular religion for their own insane and ratical needs. christians also were killed for being christians at the religions first inception. it just sounds as if you are trying to spread hate and prejudice and bigotry.

Answer 10

The violence you are referring to was mainly propogated by the Roman Catholic and Muslim faiths and was driven more by political influences than religious ones. And America wasn't founded by either group....it was founded by protestants fleeing that persecution! lol

Edit: Um...are you suggesting that the Christian persecution in Europe wasn't carried out by the dominant faith, the Roman Catholics? Or are you suggesting that the American colonies weren't founded by protestants who were fleeing religious perseuction? Or are you suggesting that if Protestants hadn't fled Europe in search of religious freedom that another non-christian group would have founded America in their place? On what do you base this assertion?

Hmmmm.....yeah..... lol