Christians in the Empire - Essay Example

Christians In The Empire Pliny) What threat did the early Christians pose to the Roman and how the early Christians were treated according to imperial policy The early Christians were not worshiping the emperor and the gods of the Empire, posing a direct threat to the Empire political and economic stability, and many people had become Christians as we can know when Pliny said: "For the matter seemed to me to warrant consulting you, especially because of the number involved. For the contagion of this superstition has spread not only to the cities but also to the villages and farms." Pliny also made clear that the Roman temples were almost empty and that the commercial aspect of worshiping the emperor and the Roman's gods was suffering from the lack of purchase of the animals to be sacrificed: "It is certainly quite clear that the temples, which had been almost deserted, have begun to be frequented, that the established religious rites, long neglected, are being resumed, and that from everywhere sacrificial animals are coming, for which until now very few purchasers could be found. Hence it is easy to imagine what a multitude of people can be reformed if an opportunity for repentance is afforded." The Roman Empire has also forbidden any secret meetings, and considered them to be political associations against the emperor as Pliny clearly states: "in accordance with your instructions, I had forbidden political associations." Christians were treated like treators, like conspirators, to the state and the established pagan religion. Pagans considered Christians to be a threat to their own gods, and they considered that misfortunes or natural disasters came from the Christians' God. 2. (Trajan) How did Trajan respond to Pliny's inquiry, and what does this exchange say about the Roman persecution of Christians in general Pliny didn't know how to prosecute the Christians. For him they were superstitious people, just ignorant people. So Pliny states the following as he didn't know what to do: "I have never participated in trials of Christians. I therefore do not know what offenses it is the practice to punish or investigate, and to what event. . ." Trajan tells him that he has treated the matter in the right way when he said: "You observed proper procedure, my dear Pliny, in sifting the cases of those who had been denounced to you as Christians." There is some uncertainty in Trajan's mind when he said: "For it is not possible to lay down any general rule to serve as a kind of fixed standard." But Trajan is positive about not persecuting the Christians. So he said: "They are not to be sought out". This policy makes it easier for Christians to live in the Empire as they were not going to be chased openly. It is also clear in Trajan's words that the anonymous accusations are not going to be taken into account. He said: "But anonymously posted accusations ought to have no place in any prosecution. For this is both a dangerous kind of precedent and out of keeping with [the spirit of] our age." This policy by the emperor eased matters for Christians as they were not going to be persecuted openly, but it was not a perfect solution as they were not considered to be normal citizens in the empire. They were still forbidden. 3. How does Tertullian justify the Christians refusal to worship the emperor Tertullian gives powerful reason for not worshipping the Emperor based on the nature of the Christians conviction about the true God. He said very convincingly: "For we invoke the eternal God, the true God, the living God for the safety of the emperors. . . ." Tertullian states also that Christians do pray in favor of all the emperors with the following words: "Looking up to heaven, the Christians - with hands outspread, because innocent, with head bare because we do not blush, yes! And without a prompter because we pray from the heart - are ever praying for all the emperors. We pray for a fortunate life for them, a secure rule, a safe house, brave armies, a faithful senate, a virtuous people, a peaceful world. . . .". Tertullian makes it clear that Christians are not a threat to the emperors or the Roman Empire. Tertullian speaks eloquently and there is a lot of judicial reasoning in his words. 4. How does Tertullian portray the motives of those who oppose Christians People against Christians are more dangerous than the very same Christians according to Tertullian because they are full of hatred. They are portrayed as people who hate, who ask for the innocent's blood or life, who are opposed to the honest and good, who blame Christians for every disaster or misfortune of which Christians are not responsible of, etc. He used harsh words against the enemies of the Christians: "On the contrary, the name faction may properly be given to those who join to hate the good and honest, who shout for the blood of the innocent, who use as a pretext to defend their hatred the absurdity that they take the Christians to be the cause of every disaster to the state, of every misfortune of the people. If the Tiber reaches the walls, if the Nile does not rise to water the fields, if the sky does not move [i.e. if there is no rain] or the earth does, if there is famine, if there is plague, the cry at once arises: "The Christians to the lions!"" 5. Does the Edict of Milan show any preference for any particular religion The final words of the Edict of Milan are quite clear that there is not any bias in favor of any religion. Christians are permitted to worship their God now, but it doesn't mean that other kinds of worshippers are prohibited. Everybody is now free to follow any religion or to worship any God or gods. The Edict of Milan takes into account all the possible gods or forms of religion or worship. It is directed mainly to Christians, but it doesn't favor any religion over other. Let's see the concluding words of the Edict: "When you see that we have granted this to them, your Devotedness will know that we have likewise conceded an open and free power to others to practice their religion for the sake of the tranquility of our age, so that each person may have free permission to worship in the manner he has chosen. We did this so that we shall not seem to have detracted from any observance or religion." It is very important to note that the Edict of Milan disestablished paganism as the religion of the Roman Empire. It took a neutral position on religion. So the Edict of Milan is an edict of religious toleration. 6. What does the document tell historians about the importance of religion in the late period of the Roman Empire It tells historians that a great change took place in favor of the Christian communities and all religious manifestations. It tells historians that the State was in charge of religion. There was not separation between Church and State, so the emperors had to decide on this matter what policy to follow. It tells historians that a new policy based on religious toleration had been born. 7. Did Constantine's conversion and the Edict of Milan bring peace to the Christian community Why Why not Constantine's conversion and the Edict of Milan have helped a lot the Christian community all along the years. It stopped the persecution to Christians right away, but it didn't stop the conflicts with Licinius up until his death. In general, Christians were treated differently since the Edict of Milan and Constantine's conversion. But it wasn't until 392 that Christianity became the official religion of the Empire. Emperor Theodosius I declared it so just at the end of the fourth century. Life has been better for the Christian community since then, but there had been many conflicts of interest along the years. Many people favor the separation of State and Church. The same disadvantages that Christians faced when they were outlawed can be suffered in one way or another by members of different religious creeds like Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and Buddhists, or different Christian denominations. There is a great variety of doctrines within the different Christian denominations or communities, so it is almost impossible to take a neutral position when dealing with the numerous Christian denominations with all their different belief systems. It is very difficult not to be biased in favor of any particular Christian creed or a different religion. So from the practical point of view it is better to separate Church and State and to grant religious freedom to all the citizens of the world. The basic position of the Edict of Milan should be the core position of any State. So we can say that Constantine's conversion and the Edict of Milan have worked together for better helping the Christian communities a great deal due to the spirit of religious toleration that they have pioneered in society at large. Works Cited Constantine, and Licinius. "Edict of Milan". (313 C. E.). Pliny. "Letters". 10.96-97. (C. 112 C. E.). Tertullian. "The Apology". Chapters 30, 31, 35, 38, and 40 (fragments). (C. 197 C. E.). Read More