Christian Troublemakers

The Romans were tolerant of all religions. They had total religious freedom. They accepted all religions. The Romans used this tolerance as a tool of empire building.

What the Romans frowned upon was civil unrest, rioting, and public gatherings that could degenerate into rioting. Experience with countless examples had thoroughly taught them to act early and forcibly. No bashing your neighbor because he was of a different religion, or race, or ethnic background.

Deadly riots often broke out after public contests, especially chariot races, between fans of the Blues and the Greens. That kind of behavior brought in the civil guard, or the military, at the quick step. The Romans insisted on religious tolerance of and from everyone. They even had a temple to an unknown God, just in case they’d missed one!

That later, Christians were persecuted by Rome, in Rome and across the Empire, strongly suggests that somehow Christians had become involved in, or had promoted, civil unrest. The Roman governmental leaders were highly likely to have maintained an extensive and active internal civilian intelligence network.

That means that participation in civil unrest, at least nominally, would not have been a smooth move, definitely not a smart idea. Some historic materials even suggest that the various sects of Judaism fought in the streets of Rome against each other! Roman methods of justice were quick, and punishment severe, as was well known, and very, very public, and very much “on purpose”.

The Romans planned on setting a public example with every convicted capitol crime and criminal. Crucifixion, or death in the arena, was public execution at its most public, most visible, and most instructive to others in keeping the crime rate low. It kept criminals few in number, cautious and secretive.

Perhaps that participation in some form of public unrest was in error, or on the other hand, the concept and application of martyrdom was not unknown. Even today, as we now know all too well, it is fairly easy to find those who will deliberately cause and allow themselves to be martyred, at the behest of a “leader”, for a “cause”, for what are essentially political, not religious causes. The more skillful leaders deftly mix up political and religious issues for the volunteers, so that it is often unclear, even to the “volunteer”, which of the two is more important in his, or her “message”.

I believe that there were early Christian leaders willing to take the risks, take advantage of such sincere and malleable individuals

(c) Copyright 2006: George Wallace recently published a book on religion which lashes out at nearly all of the comfortable ideas about God, the trappings of organized religion, and the priesthood. His pithy comments and suggestions for a return to a God-centered personal religion will interest everyone. This article may be freely reprinted so long as all copyright attributions, and the full content of this resource box are included. www.OhGodIsThatYou.com

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