DISQUS

Rion · 3 years ago

Problematic view for starters because there was no such things as different church "denominations" then. Those are a unique, and some might say sad, American development. Secondly, the Emperors persecuted plenty of people who were in the Orthodox Church just as they did those who were not, and at times the Emperors switched sides amongst the different christians. Over all, however, the Orthodox church had more people martyred by the christian emperors then they did under either the pagan emperors. Point being, the Orthodox church had plenty of people who viewed themselves as being faithful to the Faith while, yes, many emperors used them and others as pawns in their political schemes...hmm, maybe that last part has a modern day parrallel.

Sam Harrelson · 3 years ago

There weren't denominations, but there were different christianities that the councils of Nicea et al set out to discourage and label heterodoxical. You know that I don't think we can label the Faith with a capital F until after Nicea because of the consolidation of power that the "orthodox" purveyors were attempting to make. We'll always disagree on this point, but at least I have the historical record to back me up! Ha!

Along those lines, my favorite part of the Da Vinci Code movie (I can't remember if the scene is in the book) is when Teabing is describing the wars that the Christians are starting that Constatine has to succumb to, hence his adoption of Christianity. The fight scenes briefly show the "Christians" running around stabbing the Romans with the sharpened end of crosses. Maybe that's what Bono meant when he sang "Now you're turning tricks with your crucifix" in Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me.

Rion · 3 years ago

Yes, I know well your view on the pre vs. post Nicea debates. However, I don't believe I see Nicea as quite as decisive a moment as you do. And just for fun, I believe the historical record backs up my views just wonderfully, as well. We have and will continue to look at all of this through a different matrix.

Never saw the movie, but I did read the book. You should know better than most what a load of crap most of it was, historically speaking, however it was quick read and I can see why its such a money-maker.