Religion

Heddi

(18,312 posts)

13. I suggest the book Guns, Germs, and Steel

Wed Aug 23, 2017, 04:55 PM

Aug 2017

It's a very good book and answers all of your questions in a very academic and researched way.

https://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/0393317552

There is also a PBS documentary that deals with the subject in a much more abbreviated way

https://www.pbs.org/gunsgermssteel/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guns,_Germs,_and_Steel

Similarly, one could, say, take any number of classes on Western Civilization. They tend to deal with these issues in great depth

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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