Why Christianity?

[cgannon64]

Christianity became the religion of Rome, so it basically got placed throughout Europe.

 

[Verbose]

Christianity became the religion of Rome, so it basically got placed throughout Europe.

Weeel, not east of the Rhine, there it had to be later implanted by a combination of other means.

 

[Pangur Bán]

One reason is that Christianity was very appealing to women, slaves and the lower classes. Despite some of the laughable nonsense posted by a few idiots above, Christianity appealed to these groups because it looked on them favorably. This is one reason why it spread through women much faster. A second reason was that Christianity was highly moral in comparison with tradtional Graeco-Roman religion. This drew many early Imperial Romans to Synagogues, but it wasn't until Paul made Judean religion open to gentiles that the religion could properly spread. A third reason was Constantine's conversion and the establishment of an Ecumenical Church, which put Christianity under the leadership of the Roman state. A forth reason is that Christianity encourages proselytizition. Many European/Middle Eastern peoples were converted to Christianity. By 5th century AD, Iraq was largely converted to Christianity despite being persecuted by the Persian government. Russia, Ireland Scotland and most of the Slavs were converted peacefully in areas outside the old Roman Empire

 

[aaminion00]

Oh a variety of reasons. First, as mentioned by several others above, it originally spread because it was kind to the poor, opressed, women, criminals, and basically the lower-class of society, which during the period of Rome's decline grew larger and larger. Also it was situated in the Eastern areas of the Roman empire which was always quick to embrace new spiritual ideas. Another important factor is that aside from Zoroastrianism which was the religion of the enemy (not sure if it was even around back then to be honest...) Christianity was the only religion that openly went out trying to gain salvation for the whole world/conver them. Constantine accepted Christianity soon enough, and from then on it quickly became the religion of the powerful kings and leaders of the various barbarians who invaded Rome. These in turns ordered their subjects to convert and went on conquests converting others along the way. Between Constantine's conversion and the late Crusades, Christians were hardly persecuted at all, and their population grew very large otherwise as well (europe had three times the population of the middle east in the middle ages). Also, the papacy squashed any heresies or cults that appeared among Christians, so that stopped new branches from diverging as well. Finally, the agressive colonialism starting in the 16th century and in many ways continuing until this very day, when Christian missionaries on mass went to foreign countries persuading the poor in those areas to convert.

 

[luiz]

Christianism and Islam are the only two religions(that I know of) that actually make a huge effort to convert non-believers, excluding modern sects. They're also the two religions with largest number of followers.
The Jews and the pagans made no effort to convert other peoples, so it's natural that their numbers didn't improve much.

Another point is that Christianity, as opposed to paganism, is a somewhat egalitarian religion, with great appeal to the poor. It doesn't put people in casts, it states that we're all brother in Christ. This was very efficient in converting the slaves of the roman era.