PhilippeO
Banned
Christianity and Judaism appear to be large enough to survive several persecution. and if no longer persecuted, its large size would make it 'legitimized' sooner or later.
And i'm very doubtful about "slave religion" or "near destruction" of Christianity, it sounds like just propaganda to enhance status of past leaders and teaching of early church. 1) Constantine wouldn't choose Christianity to inspire his troops if there are no large Christian community that can be swayed to his side. 2)Its success after Constantine also indicated it had already fairly large and well-accepted (Elagabalus Sol Invictus did not get become majority religion just because of favor of one emperor) 3) Also the cancelation of persecution by several different Emperor indicate it had enough political power to make noise. All those three indicate Christianity that already large enough community before Constantine. I think Christianity pre-Constantine can be compared to Mormons in 1900-2000, large enough community to have some weight in politics, and sooner or later would win some presidency.
And i'm very doubtful about "slave religion" or "near destruction" of Christianity, it sounds like just propaganda to enhance status of past leaders and teaching of early church. 1) Constantine wouldn't choose Christianity to inspire his troops if there are no large Christian community that can be swayed to his side. 2)Its success after Constantine also indicated it had already fairly large and well-accepted (Elagabalus Sol Invictus did not get become majority religion just because of favor of one emperor) 3) Also the cancelation of persecution by several different Emperor indicate it had enough political power to make noise. All those three indicate Christianity that already large enough community before Constantine. I think Christianity pre-Constantine can be compared to Mormons in 1900-2000, large enough community to have some weight in politics, and sooner or later would win some presidency.