Were Early Christians Really Persecuted? Historian Reveals the Surprising Truth.

[Swede Atlanta]

6. I don't have a hard time believing this and I am a Christian......

As the author notes, there were periods of time during which Christians were targeted and there are numerous individual cases of notorious persecutions and martyrdoms. But to say that Christians were relentlessly and perpetually persecuted for 300 years is difficult to believe. Minority populations and prejudice and persecution of them historically tends to be cyclical with small bursts here and there but it is an ebb and flow.

Just one example were the pogroms against the Jews in Russia. Yes they happened and they were horrific. But they came in waves but not a consistent, sustained persecution over time.

Persecution of minorities is most intense when mainstream society or political power feels vulnerable and needs to show strength or find a scapegoat to blame and punish for some calamity.

It is true that Romans in general were tolerant of other religions provided those that practiced them paid homage to the Roman gods and Christians would not do that.

We know that much of the history of Christians and the Christian church, as told by believers, is exaggerated at best and at times totally false.

So I wouldn't be so quick to discount this assertion that martyrdom was not as prevalent, persistent and pervasive as we have been led to believe.