Why did christianity win out (from a secular / historical perspective)?

[Koldo]

Christianity is the majority religion today, and has been for 1700 years (or so).

Something has to be special about it... or not?

From the christian perspective, the answer is easy - it was god's plan all along, so of course christianity is the winner.

If you don't believe in it, then there must be other explanations. What are they?

Colonianism.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

See -

God Against the Gods: The History of the War Between Mo…

As conflicts over religious extremism dominate our fron…

www.goodreads.com

Short version - a bunch of historical happenstance involving humans with a disproportionate amount of power and influence

That's a pretty biased book. The author has an axe to grind against the Abrahamic religions and romanticizes Paganism. Not saying it's not worth a read, but something to be aware of.

 

[Eddi]

Yeah, but the question is how did it grow so much so that it could reach that status.

Didn't it have something to do with the so-called "barbarians"?

 

[Orbit]

Christianity is the majority religion today, and has been for 1700 years (or so).

Something has to be special about it... or not?

From the christian perspective, the answer is easy - it was god's plan all along, so of course christianity is the winner.

If you don't believe in it, then there must be other explanations. What are they?

It became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Didn't it have something to do with the so-called "barbarians"?

Not the spread of Christianity. The invasions helped bring the fall of the Western half of the Empire, though.

 

[wellwisher]

Yeah, but the question is how did it grow so much so that it could reach that status.

Rome was, argumentatively, one of the top cultures of the ancient world. Christianity was born within the Roman Empire. It was initially persecuted, but would go on to become the official religion of Rome in the 4th century AD.

This merger created a unique partnership between the Christian faith and the World Class Secular Empire of Rome; preach to all the nations. Christianity would eventually take over the partnership; Theocracy, but was smart enough to cherish and retain the Roman secular half to form the Catholic Church and the Holy Roman Empire. Christianity became part of an ancient world class leadership tradition. This history of Christianity is very unique.

Had Christianity, after having established the Theocracy, decided to purify the faith and throw out the baby with the bath water; get rid of anything Rome, they would have lost advantages and that winning Roman attitude; faith without technology and prosperity lacks advantages. It took this unique blend of Roman Christianity to institute the Declaration of Independence and form a country of free people. Rome was known for not needing supply lines but could transform the land to their needs. The current trend toward socialism is due to the decline of Roman Christianity in culture, and its role as a leader. Socialism is a downgraded secular replacement, based on mercenaries instead of partners.

The Holy Roman Empire would last 1000 years, from 400's until about the 1400's, when it began to divide; Protestant, Science, Explorers and Atheist Movements. After that it was like the amalgam of Rome and Christianity was breaking down into various ratios of the two attributes. Nazi Germany was like 95% Roma, while the Catholic Church would lose its aggressive Roma ways, to become more ceremonial but still classic and prosperous. Atheism, which also spawned from the original empire, is more like secular Roma, but with the modern Pagan casino gods of dice and cards. Roma persecution of the weaker Christianity, has been reinstated by the Left. Now with the Christian soldiers once again learning to battle in the arena of ideas; old house divided.

 

[Estro Felino]

Christianity is the majority religion today, and has been for 1700 years (or so).

Something has to be special about it... or not?

From the christian perspective, the answer is easy - it was god's plan all along, so of course christianity is the winner.

If you don't believe in it, then there must be other explanations. What are they?

Because Christianity promises eternal damnation for the wicked, those who destroy lives and do evil...
and Paradise to the victims, those who undergo evil.


That draws to Christianity.
According to the legend, that's what made Vladimir, Prince of Kiev, convert to Christianity.

 

[F1fan]

Christianity is the majority religion today, and has been for 1700 years (or so).

Something has to be special about it... or not?

Christianity is a set of sects that is a buffet. It appeals to anyone regardless of their morals and political/social outlook. It can appeal to decent people, but also to racists (the KKK), anti-Semites as the Nazis were Lutheran and Catholic, and reject science like creationists and anti-vaxxers, etc. Christianity can be a home to any level of evil.

From the christian perspective, the answer is easy - it was god's plan all along, so of course christianity is the winner.

Sure, how else can a believer justify their evil? God always endorses the believer, regardless of their acts.

If you don't believe in it, then there must be other explanations. What are they?

How much time do you have?

 

[Quintessence]

That's a pretty biased book. The author has an axe to grind against the Abrahamic religions and romanticizes Paganism. Not saying it's not worth a read, but something to be aware of.

Yeah, all books are biased and this is is one of the relatively few that doesn't romanticize Christianity and crap on Paganism. The author isn't wrong to point out that the idea of a "one true god" did a great job kindling religious intolerance. All that commentary aside it's a fair summary of the weird and happenstance historical events that led to the domination of "one true god" ideology in Western culture.

 

[ChristineM]

then there must be other explanations. What are they?

Certainly in part, the spread of Christianity is down to the Roman army. They took their religion with them. By late empire times it was Christianity. In effect most of Europe, the near East and north Africa were christian.

As an aside, within 30 minutes drive of where i live in france there are 2 churches built in late roman times and (ar least) 5 churches that are built on Roman foundations.

 

[John D. Brey]

Christianity isn't the majority religion.

They have the worlds largest group at 31%, but are not even close to being the world's dominant religion which comprises of 69% of the rest of the world's religious who are not Christian.

If I'm not mistaken, 31% is the largest majority if no other singular religion has more than 31%. Notwithstanding the great commercials from State Farm Insurance about the assurances of "bundling," I think it's bungling logic to believe you can bundle religions together in order to claim Christianity ain't the largest faith-based movement.

Plus since 2017, a pew report shows it's declining even further, so those dominant figures are apt to go down even further, particularly in Europe as people leave Christianity for other religions or just putting it down outright.

What Christianity is losing in Europe it appears to be gaining in Africa and Southeast Asia.

I don't think 31% is anything significant to brag about.

Would you begrudge Tom Brady bragging about winning 31% of all the Superbowls played since the turn of the last millennium? Think of Christianity as the Tom Brady of religions if you must.

John

 

[Sand Dancer]

Christianity is the majority religion today, and has been for 1700 years (or so).

Something has to be special about it... or not?

From the christian perspective, the answer is easy - it was god's plan all along, so of course christianity is the winner.

If you don't believe in it, then there must be other explanations. What are they?

Historically, people were threatened, abused and/or killed if they didn't convert. The Christians were the majority/victors. It became tradition in the western world and some countries still adhere to it.

 

[John D. Brey]

Certainly in part, the spread of Christianity is down to the Roman army. They took their religion with them. By late empire times it was Christianity. In effect most of Europe, the near East and north Africa were christian.

Historically speaking, there's a strange irony in the fact that in the first century of the modern era Judaism sought a messiah who would not only save them from the goyim, but who could, as unlikely as seemed possible at the time, defeat Rome at the hands of a little ole Jew.

There is no greater drama in human record than the sight of a few Christians, scorned or oppressed by a succession of emperors, bearing all trails with a fierce tenacity, multiplying quietly, building order while their enemies generated chaos, fighting the sword with the word, brutality with hope, and at last defeating the strongest state that history has know. Caesar and Christ had met in the arena, and Christ had won.​

​

Will Durant, The Story of Civilization.​

​

John

 

[Link]

Christianity is the majority religion today, and has been for 1700 years (or so).

Something has to be special about it... or not?

From the christian perspective, the answer is easy - it was god's plan all along, so of course christianity is the winner.

If you don't believe in it, then there must be other explanations. What are they?

It's because of the magnetic personality of Jesus (a).

 

[Sand Dancer]

Because it teaches the equality of all before God, including stigmatized groups such as slaves and lepers, who were thought to be cursed. It provided hope and help to groups that were previously nobodies in society. They were the best at practicing charity, as well, which was viewed embarrassingly by the Pagan Roman authorities.

Depends on the type of Christianity. In America, it didn't quite take in the way you mention.

 

[danieldemol]

What are you talking about? Christians have been practicing charity for all, regardless of religion, since the early days of it. Even today, the most you might be expected to give is a few minutes of time for a prayer. I've gotten tons of help from churches and Christian groups over the years, and never had to do anything more than sit through a prayer before eating.

And you apparently don't see that as a string attached in my view.

ETA Think about the indoctrination given at Catholic schools in an age before public schools

 

[Twilight Hue]

Would you begrudge Tom Brady bragging about winning 31% of all the Superbowls played since the turn of the last millennium? Think of Christianity as the Tom Brady of religions if you must.

View attachment 85552


John

Cristiano Ronaldo​

plays his own style of football as well. European Football. =O)

I'm sure you wouldn't begrudge him bragging he has the the most Guinness World records without peer that no athlete in the entire world has ever matched in recorded history.

I find the religion of Cristiano Ronaldo far surpasses 31% of Tom Brady with the remaining 61% of world records held by just one individual. "0)

 

[LuisDantas]

Christianity is the majority religion today, and has been for 1700 years (or so).

Something has to be special about it... or not?

In a manner of speaking. For better or worse, Christianity is peculiar.

It has proven politically influential and is demographically succesful, certainly.

From the christian perspective, the answer is easy - it was god's plan all along, so of course christianity is the winner.

If you don't believe in it, then there must be other explanations. What are they?

Christianity values political influence, IMO at the expense of its worth and functionality as a religion.

 

[LuisDantas]

Because Christianity promises eternal damnation for the wicked, those who destroy lives and do evil...
and Paradise to the victims, those who undergo evil.


That draws to Christianity.
According to the legend, that's what made Vladimir, Prince of Kiev, convert to Christianity.

So, it provides validation at an individual level; motivation to oppose its rivals, not rarely by violent means; and encouragement to the building of populous groups with a strong bias towards internal support.

Arguably at the expense of religiosity proper - particularly the aspects associated with wisdom and appreciation of individual traits - and also of the pursuit of wisdom and civility.

We should also take into account that Christianity supports the idea that it can or should "win" or "lose". That, too, is rather atypical of religions.

 

[Estro Felino]

So, it provides validation at an individual level; motivation to oppose its rivals, not rarely by violent means;

I am sorry, you're wrong.
Christianity says justice is God's only. So it's unchristian to do justice by yourself.
So violent means are unchristian.
Crusades were unchristian.

and encouragement to the building of populous groups with a strong bias towards internal support.

A populous groups of holy people who repel wicked people.

Arguably at the expense of religiosity proper - particularly the aspects associated with wisdom and appreciation of individual traits - and also of the pursuit of wisdom and civility.

Wicked people can't be wise.
Only good people are.

We should also take into account that Christianity supports the idea that it can or should "win" or "lose".

Christianity says that there are no winners or losers in the worldly dimension.
Only when we die, in the otherworldly dimension, there are the blessed and the damned.