How many christians would there be today if christians had never used violence to spread their religion?

Question

Including but not limited to:

* Conquering other countries and spreading their religion there

* Threatening, torturing and killing those whose views differ (including scientists)

* Outlawing books, burning them, and making their possession a capital offense

Would islam be the most popular religion? Or maybe even a non-abrahamic one?

Answer 1

I think there would still be many because it's easier to just "have faith" and believe what the bible says than to not. The majority NEEDS to believe there is more out there and that we are not alone. I don't think the Christian violence would have made a difference. I know people now who are anything but violence and abhor the religious violence but they NEED what religion gives them. Some do, some don't.

I'll ask you another one: How many Christians would there be if Constantine, ruler of the majority of the settled world at the time, hadn't decided it was the "right" religion and coerced the population to believe or die?

The church has always needed power behind it in order to spread. And power begets violence. That is what makes the current "we are persecuted and our numbers are dwindling" Christian argument ludicrous.

Answer 2

Gee, for a minute there, I could have sworn that you were talking about atheistic Communism, which certainly conquered other countries to spread their ideology there.

And the atheist Communists threatened, tortured, and killed those whose views differed with them -- including scientists, priests, pastors, other Christian believers, etc.

Oh, and speaking of outlawing books and burning them or making their possession a capital offense -- Bibles were one of the books that could definitely get you sent to prison in a Communist country. Christian literature was also banned or destroyed whenever possible.

I really don't think atheists have a whole lot of room to talk about what Christians have done over the centuries, considering that atheistic Communism has killed an estimated 600 MILLION people since its inception.

Answer 3

How many atheists would there be today in formerly communist countries if the governments of those countries had not used violence to spread atheism?

* Conquering other countries and spreading atheism there.

* Threatening, torturing and killing those whose views differ (including priests and scientists)

* Outlawing books, burning them, and making their possession a capital offense

Answer 4

Yes, please do continue judging all of us today for what a few did then, it shows just how smart you are. Show us the amazing brain power you have, we can't get enough!

Seriously now, how many would there be? Likely MORE than there is now. Why? Spread by example, the way the bible tells you to do it, it's the ones that go nutso and do stupid things like the above mentioned that ruin and taint the work of thousands of others who had no part in it. If you want to base your opinion on us all by what some did so long ago, be my guest, but you'll find out soon what the truth is. How soon? As a guess, I'd say within the next 15 years or so. You will know what I am speaking of when it starts. :)

Answer 5

You need to go further back in history.

During the first 300 years or so of its existence, Christians were severely persecuted. Did the number of Christians diminish or increase? It drastically increased. The Constantine debacle was an impediment to the spread of Christianity, not a blessing.

Answer 6

Probably about the same number as there are Buddists or Hindus. It seems almost any political or religious ideology is spread in a similar way. How many people would "embrace" multiculturalism if it were not enforced by law, which in the end is force?

Answer 7

Let me shed some truth to you ...... Those who are forced to become Christians aren't real Christians. And those following the traditions that were set in their country by those that murdered and killed in the name of their "God" aren't Christians. A Christian is someone who acknowledges they are a sinner, follows the teachings of Christ and believes that He is the son of God sent to earth to save us from our sin, and change their life to follow Him everyday.

So to answer your question.... Just as many as there would have been if they never did that. People are still lost and confused dude, real Christians are a rare find. People following a religion of tradition and not with their heart are everywhere. And that's the awful truth. Don't actually be fooled into thinking that someone that would kill a whole village because they did not receive Jesus' teaching, is a follower of Jesus. That just makes me sick thinking of it.

Answer 8

Good question. It also comes down to early "Christians" placing their feasts on the days of pagan festivals to try to overshadow them. Christmas was placed over Yule, St. Brigid's Day was placed over Imbolc, fertility rites in February became St. Valentines Day, Easter over Ostara, All Saints over Samhain and countless other minor Christian feast days.

It makes you wonder how authentic the celebrations were in those times, when the dates of origin were only to block out pagan feasts.

But I'm not sure it would have downed numbers, as many people have said there are true Christians and there are those out of tradition. I was born into the tradition, but knew I wasn't a true Christian and decided not to be a hypocrite. There are many that still are.

Answer 9

...1. How long are you going to whine and complain about past history that we cannot change?
...2. Where are these things happening today, and what religious group(s) is/are doing them (some of them using the same excuse as you are for violence).
...3. What are you personally doing to ease pain and suffering in the world?
...4. What have you done with the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you trusted in Him alone as your Lord and Savior? What excuse will you have if you don't?

Answer 10

Another person who doesn't understand the Crusades. These battles were fought AT THE URGING of European MERCHANTS who wanted SAFE & REASONABLE freight cartage from India and China. The WARLORDS who ruled the Middle East either had their own men attack and rob trade caravans or would make no effort to stop those who did attack them. They charged huge tarriffs to provide safe passage for caravans, similar to the "protection rackets" of American organized crime in recent years.

Those searching for the TRUE history of the Crusades should investigate WHO PAID THE BILLS. They were NOT about Christianity, but CRIMINALS... ROBBERS & MURDERERS WHO ACTED WITH IMPUNITY.