Let's track the rise, growth, and spread of Christianity. Originating in the Roman Empire, let's say it officially starts at 0 A.D. Interestingly enough, at it's weakest point, Rome was the strongest nation in the world. As it grew stronger it grew weaker. Seems corrosive. Oops, Roman Empire collapses. What replaces it? The "Dark Ages." This is only in Europe;for example India was thriving at the time(of course India's always thriving). The Dark Ages saw the epoch of Christianity. It also saw a period of very dumb peasants and warlike knights rule Europe. At the time when Christianity was at it's strongest, Europe was at it lowest. Then, look, the Renaissance and Enlightenment, as well as the Scientific revolution, drive religion back. And then Europe conquers the world. Interesting. In the last 100 years of religous freedom we have done far more than the 1000 of chaos during which Christianity reigned. Oh, this is a question, right..."what does this say about Christianity?"
2007-02-22 13:34:06 · 16 answers · asked by Jedi 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'd say it strongly suggests that Christianity held Europe back in scientific and social development until a well-deserved Reformation occurred. This weakened the stranglehold the Catholic faith had on Europe and allowed new ideas to develop and flourish. Europe benefitted greatly when they were able to throw off the totalitarian yoke of religious rule. If we hadn't, we would probably never have developed the technology and social ideas that we have now (Equality before the law, Women's Sufferage, Civil Rights, Democracy, etc...).
Islam faces something of the same today: Until it is able to have a Reformation of its own and get out from under the iron grip of its hard-lined fanatics, its home region will forever remain a Third World territory.
Now look at what is happening in this country: The religious fundamentalists took power again (for the past 6 years) and observe: Efforts to "redefine' science and education, constant demonization of people who disagree, the rapid erosion of many of our civil rights, the transparent claims of "Fox News" as being "Fair and Balanced", dissenters marginalized or their patriotism disparaged, outright lies passed as truths, etc...
2007-02-22 13:42:40 · answer #1 · answered by Scott M 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christianity has not been allowed to interfere with science over the last 100 years as it was allowed to do during the middle ages. Scientific research has matured since the days of alchemy. The christian is happy to see a hospital save the life of their son or daughter via medical science. Have you noticed how much less the influence the churches have on modern government and culture these days. I hope this answers your question sufficiently.
2007-02-22 13:47:39 · answer #2 · answered by kicking_back 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not a whole heck of a lot since lets look at how the USA flourished as a nation Under One God. Now that Christianity is being pushed aside the US is on a serious landslide. Brighten up my man.. Read the book so you can have true enlightenment. Christianity. I dont really recall that being a big religion in Europe ever. Now Catholicism thats what youre talking about. Get a little history behind you before you try to prove your intellect because if you dont you look like an idiot. Peace out..............
2007-02-22 13:39:40 · answer #3 · answered by powerliftingrules 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
During the "Dark Ages" the Word of God was kept hidden from the common man, hence the term. Men like William Tyndale were martyred for translating the Bible into a language that the common people could read. Read Foxes Book of Martyrs. A question for you. Would you be willing to die for your beliefs? I would.
2007-02-22 13:43:40 · answer #4 · answered by michael m 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Isaac Newton, for instance, who invented calculus and revolutionized physics, putting it on a firm mathematical basis for the first time in history, actually wrote more on Christianity than he did on any other topic. What does this say about Christianity?
Right - precisely nothing. Hence also my answer to your question.
2007-02-22 13:40:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
There was no year 0 AD.Now More correctly called CE (Common Era) The year before 1 CE was 1 BCE (Before the Common Era)
2007-02-22 13:43:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't think you should call the peasants dumb. They were threatened by decapitation to go along with the Church. They didn't have much choice.
2007-02-22 13:40:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is a very good track of though, I agree with you. Basically what is history telling us? That Religion in all weakens us as people. It darkens our world and causes chaos and death.
2007-02-22 13:39:49 · answer #8 · answered by Lana 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
As religion increases, intelligence decreases. This is a fact.
2007-02-22 13:40:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
All religions including christianity are cults.
2007-02-22 13:37:40 · answer #10 · answered by Atheist Eye Candy 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋