Religion

elfin

(6,262 posts)

9. Reading Sapiens - which I highly recommend

Wed Aug 23, 2017, 04:09 PM

Aug 2017

His section on the development of different religions from animism to polytheism to monotheism is illuminating. Wish I had the smarts to summarize his concepts, but the religion had a monumental surge when Constantine chose it over any number of cults in his multi-ethnic Roman empire with about the same number of followers as the Christians.

According to the author, historians know when that happened, but not exactly why he made that decision.

Read this book for many reasons other than the religion part. It is fascinating and also recommended by still-my-president, Barack Obama.

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What accounts for the survival and global spread of Christianity? [View all] MineralMan Aug 2017 OP

Missionary zeal and trade routes...wars... Zoonart Aug 2017 #1

There you go! MineralMan Aug 2017 #2

Spread Hegemonic/Cultural Imperialist propaganda? Bretton Garcia Sep 2017 #49

Fear. elleng Aug 2017 #3

Yabbut all religions use fear as a tool. MineralMan Aug 2017 #5

Yes they do. elleng Aug 2017 #7

When you have the only true and correct way to salvation it is an easy sell Angry Dragon Aug 2017 #4

Especially if it's really easy to be a winner. MineralMan Aug 2017 #6

... shanny Aug 2017 #29

It does make sense, but don't forget to factor in politcal power. Binkie The Clown Aug 2017 #8

The Roman Empire adopted it because it was easier, too. MineralMan Aug 2017 #10

By the time Rome adopted Christianity it wasn't Voltaire2 Aug 2017 #17

And yet Christianity became the official religion of most of Europe, with Rome at the center Binkie The Clown Aug 2017 #19

Yes, point bring it had nothing much to do Voltaire2 Aug 2017 #20

I don't think the spread of Christianity had anything to do with conquest. nt Binkie The Clown Aug 2017 #21

Actually, it did. Act_of_Reparation Aug 2017 #22

Good point. Voltaire2 Aug 2017 #23

Reading Sapiens - which I highly recommend elfin Aug 2017 #9

I'll check it out. Thanks. MineralMan Aug 2017 #11

Perhaps Constantine had a "Saul on the road to Tarsus" moment of inspiration. eom guillaumeb Aug 2017 #25

Yup, if he had made a different decision the western world would now be Mithraism worshippers dhol82 Aug 2017 #32

An opinion. One of many. guillaumeb Aug 2017 #12

I suggest the book Guns, Germs, and Steel Heddi Aug 2017 #13

Jared Diamond raves about Sapiens elfin Aug 2017 #27

Gullible idiots and the threat of eternal damnation? WoonTars Aug 2017 #14

Simplistic framing. guillaumeb Aug 2017 #24

That works too... WoonTars Aug 2017 #30

The most useful tool for politics along with a strong military KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2017 #15

You have a fairly simple answer? Curmudgeoness Aug 2017 #16

Well, thanks for your advice. MineralMan Aug 2017 #37

If the religion helps the culture safeinOhio Aug 2017 #18

Your second sentence makes sense to why the people who like trump are Doreen Aug 2017 #28

I try to look at everything as gray. safeinOhio Aug 2017 #34

It suggests that the Creator intended it. guillaumeb Aug 2017 #26

Intelligent design? shanny Aug 2017 #31

An intelligent Creator? guillaumeb Aug 2017 #35

That may be a bridge too far shanny Aug 2017 #39

Same as Islam Lordquinton Aug 2017 #33

While that's all well and good, Heddi Aug 2017 #36

I see. I'm surprised you took the time to chide me for MineralMan Aug 2017 #38

Oh I'm sorry. Heddi Aug 2017 #40

I see. Well, since I've never claimed any of that, MineralMan Aug 2017 #41

translation Heddi Aug 2017 #42

I beg your pardon? MineralMan Aug 2017 #43

An interesting exchange. guillaumeb Sep 2017 #46

!!! Lordquinton Aug 2017 #44

1982! progressoid Sep 2017 #48

The historical question, of reasons for the success of Christianity in particular times and places, struggle4progress Sep 2017 #45

Momentum? Inertia? Mass Stupidity? Um...Marketing? Iggo Sep 2017 #47