The imposition of Christianity: would Christian teaching alone have sufficed without use of force?

Question

I'm curious as to whether Christianity would have had such success spreading through the world had it not been that it was brought in the train of conquering armies. Seriously, do you think the Chrstian doctrine alone would have been enough to cause the people to accept it and discard their previous faiths?

Take South America, for example. Would the Bible alone have been attractive enough to cause conversion, without the conquering sword and the Inquisition?

This inquisitive question has been brought to you courtesy of Jack

Richard: I DO know my history, and yes, the Inquisition WAS brought to the Americas:

The Spanish Inquisition was set up by King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile in 1478 with the forced approval of Pope Sixtus IV. In contrast to the previous Inquisition, it operated completely under royal authority, though staffed by secular clergy and orders, and independently of the Holy See.

The Spanish Inquisition would subsequently be employed in certain Spanish colonies such as Peru and Mexico. The Spanish Inquisition continued in the Americas until Mexican Independence and was not abolished in Europe until 1834.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisition#Spanish_Inquisition

YOU need to study YOUR history before you show your ignorance.

Answer 1

What an interesting question! I like the ones that make me think.

It's really difficult to say. I think Christianity would have spread, but definitely not as quickly. If the super powers of the day had not conquered the Native Americans, Incas, Aztecs, Mayans, etc., what would be the indigenous peoples' incentive to change their religious beliefs, particularly in a time of no TV and internet?

Thus, if North and South America remained as it was before Columbus discovered it, Christinanity would've had to be spread by peaceful missionaries coming into the countries by their own means and that does work as we see in some places today in Africa. But without armies to protect them, would they have been killed off?

Then you have to factor in time. If the Americas had remained populated by the indigenous peoples and time progressed and technology developed and newspapers and books came along enabling new ideas to be introduced, I think Christianity would have spread and been accepted by more people.

So while I have no doubt that there would be Christians and Christianity in the Americas today without the conquering armies, it would not be nearly as widespread. I think the indigenous people of the Americas would've retained much of their own faith and beliefs still today.

Answer 2

It would have been interesting to see if just witnessing would have been enough, but True Christianity never got that chance. The conquest of The World has always been about power and money by "pretending" to introduce Christianity. Fortunately, there were some Honest people who genuinely wanted people to convert. But for the most part you are right, Christianity was a sham. It is a shame because it is going on now under the guise of other Faiths and religions as well as Christianity. Thanks for the interesting question and have a great day!

Answer 3

Historically, many conquerors converted on their own (the Vikings, the Anglo-Saxons), though often while re-interpreting aspects of it (some of these Germanic groups did, at first, think of Jesus more as a great warrior who defeated Death than as the "prince of peace"). The Irsih and the Cherokee also adopted Christianity on their own, and there are others. On the other hand, some native peoples have been exposed to Christian teaching and simply don't want anything to do with it.

I think Christianity (and its sibling, Islam) would have succeeded and spread without conquest and force, but probably not are far as it has with them.

As for Constantine, there are many who would say he also corrupted Christianity by starting the long tradition of puliticizing its teaching to consolodate power.

Answer 4

The Spanish Inquisition WAS brought to the Americas. This happened not long after Colombus discovered this place and the Europeans realized that the people here were "heathens". It is an unfortunate black mark on European immigrants' history, but there nonetheless.

However, had this not happened, I believe that the Native American's would have held to their ancient beliefs and customs better had OUR white ancestors not killed so many because they would not convert to Christianity.

Isn't it horrible how many people today will not accept Christianity because of all the killing that has occurred in Christ's name?

Answer 5

This myth has been going on since the crusades. The conquest of central and South Amreicas was not to spread Christianity - it was a struggle between Spain and Portugal to conquer the new lands and rape the resources (hopefully gold) to gain temporal power in 16th century Europe. At the same time Holland. France & England were in a similar struggle over North America and the East Indies (mainly, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia).

As this went on the missionaries took advantage of the free transport to get to the new lands. But I don't know of any times in the Americas where the natives were given the choice of convert or die.

The Inquisition, by the way, was limited to Europe and primarily Spain and Italy. Study your history.

Dear Link - the Roman Empire was already established before the church even began. The church split into Eastern and Catholic in the later 4th century after the last united Roman Empire emporer was killed in battle, and the Roman Empire split into east and west. the Roman Catholic Church did not 'grow with the Roman Empire.'

Answer 6

Part of the christian religion has always been fighting 'for it' (or in most cases just destroying other religions which may hinder it). I honestly don't think that the christian religion alone, without conquering other places and forcing it upon them, would have lasted or grown as much as it has. Take for example religions like Judaism or taoism which have been around before christianity and still lasted to this day. Neither of these religions actually created major wars, they may have fought for their right to keep their religion, but they never forcefully destroyed another country into accepting their faith. Christianity is one of the only faiths I know (and those derived from it) that actually forcefully goes out to "spead the word" about themselves by forcing people to listen.
I honestly think that without the obvious violence related to the christian religion(s) it would not have the following it does today.. because it on it's own cannot really stand on it's own two feet.. it has constantly had to smite people to make examples so that those watching would know "if you don't believe, your going to hell.. and we have no problem in killing you first"

Answer 7

In my general knowledge of history, religion went hand in hand with occupation, there are countless examples of this Catholicism spread with the Roman Empire.

Answer 8

come now Jack, missionaries always come in shortly before the soliders. don't be silly! the armies always make christianity look like "the outsider's religion". so, one could certainly make an argument that christianity might have gotten even further without the sword. china? boxer rebellion? eh?

Answer 9

Excellent question. You would think if the Holy Spirit was the one that caused conversion they would not need to force it with the sword and torture.

Answer 10

And were it not for a Pagan emperor (constantine), that little cult wouldn't be in existence today.. it would've been wiped out before the 4th century.
Good question, Jacky!