Did Christianity become popular not because of evidence but simply because these 3 factors:?

Question

A) it offered the simplicity of monotheism in lieu of keeping track of several gods
B) its narrative was more interesting (and had also the advantage of appearing earlier than, eg, the narrative of Islam)
C) it was used by a relatively powerful politican at the time (Constantine getting a head start on later Sultans spreading Islam) who used his influence to spread it (as compared to the Jews being relatively weak against Egypt and thus not as well equipped to popularize Judaism)

In modern times, in the absence of state sponsored indoctrination, what will maintain the popularity? If we take human preference of dealing with one deity instead of several as a given, then does it just boil down to which narrative had the most compelling explosions, car chases, sex, etc? (The preceding is metaphor!)

Kaliko: "that many people" used to believe Earth was flat, so why would discount the social dynamics of mass hallucination?

I was referring to the monotheism "borrowed" from the Jews in ALL of the Abrahamic religions. Polytheism was indeed alive in the Near East:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religions_of_the_Ancient_Near_East

Answer 1

Probably.

Sooo... you're thinking there will be a "Grand Theft Auto" religion?

....Augh! More scripture vomiting answers....

Answer 2

A) It's not due to the simplicity of monotheism. For if it were the world would have long before embraced Judaism which offered monotheism.

B) It's narrative wasn't more interesting. Other religious texts of the time had even more "interesting" narratives. The text of the bible, particularly of the books of the New Testament was less glamorized then other religious texts of the time. And generally people, even people of antiquity, aren't willing to suffer, even to the point of martyrdom for an "interesting" text.

C) Constantine helped with the formal spread of Christianity, but Christianity had already spread significantly to even be considered at that point. In fact, when Christianity became the national religion, that's when it went awry. Many people became associated with and now represented "Christianity" though the substance was now lost.

No, Christianity was already alive and well and had penetrated the Roman empire far before Constantine. It was a message of truth and hope and a work of the Spirit that was responsible for Christianity's spread.

Answer 3

I think you cite three good factors, just your analysis is a little off:

A) "simplicity" isn't really what's appealing about monotheism. Even in a polytheistic society most people worship one or two "patron" gods, not the whole pantheon. Monotheism is really about finding the supreme force which lies behind the gods and worshipping that as superior - look at Brahmanism, Platonic & Stoic philosophies for monotheisms that don't stem from Judaism, for example.

B) This is actually a REALLY good point, one that most people miss. It's the narrative factor - more than any other single thing that I can think of - that really distinguishes Christianity from all other monotheisms.

C) This factor is maybe the most cited, but also the most overrated. The fact is that Roman paganism was already a ritualistic shell by the time Constantine came to power. That's why you saw basically every form of foreign belief running rampant in various sectors of the empire. Christianity was already popular even before it was legal. I'm not going to argue whether Constantine did or didn't see a vision, but he was first and foremost a politician. He saw the political advantage in adopting Christianity. The thing to realize, though, is that to the extent Christianity was propped up by the Empire, it died with the Empire. Constantine followed Arianism, a form of Christianity emphatically rejected by the Church councils in spite of Imperial pressure. Arianism remained the Christianity du jour among the elite (and the "barbarians" incidentally) but as the Empire crumbled, so did Arianism. Christianity was from its beginnings, and remains to this day, a religion uniquely suited to persecution and being "out of power", much like Judaism from which it flowered. It has at best a love-hate relationship with political power. If anything, the best thing that can happen for Christianity would be for it to lose power. That will really give it strength and vigor. (You have to look at the Christian church in Africa to see that nowadays).

Peace to you.

Answer 4

in terms of popularity, yes, that is a completely secular issue, and I believe constantine was what made christianity popular.

Something to understand and that is christianity is not a religion. it is a relationship

to turn it into a religion one must put in do's and don'ts. These fall into many different ideas depending on the group. such as don't drink, don't dance, don't smoke, don't don't dont and the do's give 10%, go to church 4 times a week and the like.

no human can live the christian life, as it is a supernatural one. those who are not christians would not know this, but would go to church, play the part and teach their kids the same thing.

When I was in iraq, I asked every iraqi I could if they believe in God. I had only one, out of the hundreds I spoke to that said he thought a god might exist, the others were absolutely sure there was no god.

I asked why they prayed (I could see them praying when they were called) and universally the answer was, if I don't, someone will kill me and my family.

islam maintains the faithful through fear. Christianity give you the option to walk away, if you so chose.

a real christian, one who has Jesus in their heart can not because no one else can give peace to them like Jesus does.

yet as a religion, christianity will not remain popular and there are even laws stating that christians are to be viewed as terrorist.

I DO WANT TO GIVE MOST OF YOU HOPE THOUGH. Christians will not always be here and they will probably mostly vanish in the near future, say within 10 to 25 years. I can't promise they will almost totally disappear, but I think that they will do you a favor and do so.

then you can have the world as you want it to be.

Answer 5

a. Actually, monotheism predated Christianity. Judaism was monotheistic. I don't believe polytheism as we know it today (Hinduism) was practiced in that area during O.T. times, the predominant religion outside Judaism was idol worshiping.

b. Again, the Israelite narratives predated Christianity, are far more compelling and real than any other faith, outside Christianity.

c. Christianity was alive and well before Constantine. Peter was preaching the resurrection within a few years of the actual event. There were churches and assemblies established in various locations in what we know as the Middle East in the first and second century, that is who Paul was writing his letters to. Constantine simply made it "legal" and state approved, which gave rise to the Roman catholic church.

The evidence as to its veracity is simply the empty tomb of Christ. The Jews and Romans could have easily squashed Christianity if they could just produce the corpse of Christ, they couldn't do it. And don't say, "the apostles took the body". The logistics would have made this impossible.

Answer 6

Christianity became "popular" by the truth of the Word and the power of the testamony. Read the book of Acts. After the Gospel of John, before Paul's epistle to the Romans. Could you watch that stuff happening and not tell everyone you know about it? It spread through the world because it's real.

Answer 7

Christianity became popular because that is the only way to Heaven, And the average person wants to be there. When Jesus died on the cross he forever opened the door for all of mankind to enter into the Holy of Hollies and be saved. The Bibles say that its Gods will that all man be saved. All, now it makes sense to me that the real God is going to be the most popular until right at the end when the book of revelation will come into play. There will come a time and is coming already in this country when the falling away will start and the tribulation of Revelations and the book of Daniel will start. Jesus also says that in the days of Noah so shall the coming of the son of man be, and we know by the Bible that in the days of Noah it said that violence covered the whole earth. I believe that is what we got going on now. Now having said all of that are you a believer in Jesus Christ. He died on a cross for you. Look up John 3:16, Jesus took on the sins of the world and was nailed to a cross. Remember the movie, Passion of the Christ, awesome movie, Have you ever accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of your Life, you can do so right now, Just say, Dear Jesus, I just ask you right now to come into my life and save me, I admit and confess that I am a sinner. I believe that you came and died on a cross for my sins, and that you rose from the grave as a perfect sacrifice to cover the sins of all mankind. I do believe you are the Son of God and I ask you to make me one of your children in the Kingdom of Heaven,and be my Lord and Saviour, in Jesus Name Amen, If you Prayed this Prayer with a sincere heart you are now saved, You should feel a burden being lifted off your heart and the days will seem brighter as Christ begins a work in you, find a church, and start reading your Bible, may God Bless YOU!!! If you have any questions please feel free to email me. Mercy and Grace have been applied!!!

Answer 8

In the Old Testament, God walked with man and the Old Testament told of the coming of The Mesiah (Jesus).
In the New Testament Jesus walked with man.
The people who are Islamic split off from the other people and they left when God walked with Abraham. Much of their religion focuses on Abraham.
Constantine had little to do with anything Biblical.
The followers of Jesus Christ were known as Christians. The Disciples of Jesus spread the word of Jesus after the Resurection. The Apostle Paul was a Roman who was a non-believer until he was struck down by God on the road to Damaskas. Paul made many trips to Greece and other places and spread the word of Jesus Christ. Paul had known Jesus personally.
Egypt had been humbled by God and Moses.
When God personally answers one's prayers, it is hard not to believe!!!
What keeps God and Jesus alive today is that Christians know that they are supposed to spread the word of God.
God gave us souls. God gave man free will. To believe in Him or not. To have eternal life in Heaven with Him or not.
I would much rather spend an eternity with God in Heaven.
Instead of postulating questions, why don't you pick up a Bible and study it???
Good luck and may God bless you

Answer 9

Christianity became popular 300 some years before it was even legal in the Roman Empire and 632 years before Islam was made up. Mohamed actually ripped off Christianity when he invented Islam. Therefore it is not C. A is also not the reason. In fact, catholicism came up with the veneration of saints because people actually like keeping track of lots of gods. Christianity gained popularity because 1) it gave meaning and hope to the lives of the slave population where it was most popular, 2) because it changed lives, and 3) because, at the time, it was accompanied by supernatural signs.

Answer 10

Perhaps the credit should go to the God of the bible. Christianity grew exponentially for some 300 years before Constantine came on the scene.

And it seems to grow in areas where religious persecution is rampant – China, Africa, many Muslim countries.

The weakness of the Jews, as you put it, is because this is the time of the Church. Once Christians are raptured (coming soon) God will again turn His attention to the Jews and they will be a people to be reckoned with.

Answer 11

There is power in the name of Jesus. Christianity became popular because people that knew Christ and witnessed his miracles and heard his incredible teachings wanted to tell the world about Him. It started with a few disciples and spread into many different areas. Constantine helped spread the good news, however. There is no doubt there. Christianity is a choice now a days and if you look at world population polls/pie charts etc. Christianity is the most chosen "religion". You have to admit that that many people can't be "off their rocker"