Early Christianity and the Roman Empire

[soundgarden]

This is something I heard mentioned earlier this week which I would like to get your guy's input.

Something along the lines of:

Isn't it ironic that after years of oppression by the Romans, that Christians eventually grew and become the new Roman Empire, utilizing the very technologies and infrastructures already established by the Romans.  With that, they continued the very aggressive attitude instilled by the Romans of spreading and influencing their ways to the rest of Europe and eventually the world.  The success of the Christian armies would not be possible if it weren't for the military genius of Roman military philosophies.  Does "Holy" in front of "Roman Empire" change anything?

Thoughts?

[El Barto]

I've never actually given much thought to the religious element.  I've often though that from a sociological standpoint, we are the new Romans,  and relative to our technological superiority, we're declining just as fast. 

I've often wondered if the Romans were in the same state of denial.  Americans can't fathom the prospect of the dieing empire.  I suspect the Romans were equally stunned. 

[Quadrochosis]

I've never actually given much thought to the religious element.  I've often though that from a sociological standpoint, we are the new Romans,  and relative to our technological superiority, we're declining just as fast. 

I've often wondered if the Romans were in the same state of denial.  Americans can't fathom the prospect of the dieing empire.  I suspect the Romans were equally stunned. 

This.

[zerogravityfat]

Both Christianity and Islam were 'born' in Istanbul actually. Constantine took the empire from paganism to Christianity in his death bed and later the Ottoman Sultan decided to convert the empire to Islam in order to control the Arabs. So I blame Istanbul for all of today's problems 

[rumborak]

I think, as much as Christianity started out as an underdog, rebellious religion, once it exceeded a certain popularity it became a victim of its own success. Clearly, by the time Constantine converted himself to Christianity, it was no longer prosecuted by any means. From there on Christianity (i.e. the Catholic Church) adjusted itself to allow for the power structures needed to fill the shoes it was put in by Constantine.

rumborak

[hefdaddy42]

I think, as much as Christianity started out as an underdog, rebellious religion, once it exceeded a certain popularity it became a victim of its own success. Clearly, by the time Constantine converted himself to Christianity, it was no longer prosecuted by any means. From there on Christianity (i.e. the Catholic Church) adjusted itself to allow for the power structures needed to fill the shoes it was put in by Constantine.

rumborak

Lot of truth there.  Sad, really.

[yeshaberto]

I think, as much as Christianity started out as an underdog, rebellious religion, once it exceeded a certain popularity it became a victim of its own success. Clearly, by the time Constantine converted himself to Christianity, it was no longer prosecuted by any means. From there on Christianity (i.e. the Catholic Church) adjusted itself to allow for the power structures needed to fill the shoes it was put in by Constantine.

rumborak

well put, though sad