Let's Read the Bible Once

[Mechanicalsalvation]

@ all. In anycase I didnt say "historical fact."

 

[classical_hero]

Nah. It would've stayed as a reformed version of Judaism and would have been about as relevant as mainstream Judaism (IE only relevant as far as everyone is an anti-semite). It certainly never would have reached the massive amounts of worldwide influence it has today if it wasn't the official religion of a superpower that mandated everyone default to it.

By the first century it had already spread to the whole Roman Empire. And before it became the official religion of Rome, it has heavily persecuted by Rome and yet it had spread far and wide, well before that event. Christianity should have died from all the persecution it faced and somehow it survived.

 

[timtofly]

Nah. It would've stayed as a reformed version of Judaism and would have been about as relevant as mainstream Judaism (IE only relevant as far as everyone is an anti-semite). It certainly never would have reached the massive amounts of worldwide influence it has today if it wasn't the official religion of a superpower that mandated everyone default to it.

Are we talking about Eastern Orthodox, The US, Mormons, or Seventh Day Adventist? How would you describe the reformation? I am not saying the Roman church was not influential. I am saying that Christianity developed differently in different areas and most despite Catholic teachings. Besides the Catholic Church brags about the fact they held to Judaism and enforced most all of it's laws, minus animal sacrifices. Even the kings of the old kingdom did not enforce such laws in a governmental way like the Catholic church did. If you are talking about a theocracy, then I would agree with you, but Christianity has nothing to do with enforcing laws. Unless one can trample grace under foot and live by works alone.

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

Edit: Your revised claim is debatable, but it is not the way your original sentence reads unless it is twisted to reach that result - similar to the treatment of many Bible verses.

Are you talking of mental gymnastics? Thats is a matter of everyday human life I am afraid.