Could Christianity or Islam become successful by peaceful means?
Christianity spread to point where it was a significant minority religion, then got a lucky with a sympathetic Emperor, after which all Emperors after save one were Christian. Immediately afterwards social pressure and eventually violence are used to enforce Christianity. This is followed in the middle ages by the faith being spread mostly by the sword or with at least the threat of violence. Only exception I can think of is Ireland.
Islam spreads at its start through violence. Once it conquers non Arab area it spreads over the centuries as native populations convert gradually for social gain.
Can either religion become major faiths without it or with a competition that comes up with a more effective response "in time" to respond effectively to said violence.
Christianity spread to point where it was a significant minority religion, then got a lucky with a sympathetic Emperor, after which all Emperors after save one were Christian. Immediately afterwards social pressure and eventually violence are used to enforce Christianity. This is followed in the middle ages by the faith being spread mostly by the sword or with at least the threat of violence. Only exception I can think of is Ireland.
Islam spreads at its start through violence. Once it conquers non Arab area it spreads over the centuries as native populations convert gradually for social gain.
Can either religion become major faiths without it or with a competition that comes up with a more effective response "in time" to respond effectively to said violence.