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Number0
08-30-2003, 01:01 AM
If Christianity wouldn\'t have been declared the official religion of The Roman Empire, what would have been the predominant religion in Europe?

Since Christianity informs the European culture, what kind of Europe (and World) we would be living now?

CJ01
08-30-2003, 10:22 AM
</font><blockquote><font class=\"small\">Quote:</font><hr />
Since Christianity informs the European culture, what kind of Europe (and World) we would be living now?

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A better one perhaps?

Whitehall
08-30-2003, 11:49 AM
The civic policy of the Roman Empire towards religion was very tolerant - do whatever you want, just pay your taxes (\"render unto Cesear\") and don\'t make trouble. They did use stylized ceremonies to their ancient gods as civic drama but no one after the Republic really cared.

In fact, the Christians killed more Christians in theological strife than the government ever did. Constantine adopted Christianity as the state religion because the Church had become better organized than the late Empire government. It became his way of strengthening his rule.

If Christianity had not been adapted, the Roman Empire would have fallen sooner. Eventually, some monothestic creed would have swept into the social rubble - nature adhors a vacuum. Mithrias was one competitior to Christianity.

The book to read is Gibbon\'s \"Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire\" volume 1, especially chapters 15 and 16 (I think those are the numbers.)

Andy
08-30-2003, 07:00 PM
Yeah CJ, that\'s what I was up to write.

adinos
08-31-2003, 12:04 AM
</font><blockquote><font class=\"small\">Quote:</font><hr />
If Christianity wouldn\'t have been declared the official religion of The Roman Empire, what would have been the predominant religion in Europe?


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Judaism.Because no empire ever survived as ruling power.