1  2  3  4  5 ... 11  Next

I've been hearing alot about Islam lately, both in the media and on this site. But I rarely hear much about Christianity. Interesting, as Christianity's teachings form the foundation of Canada's system of laws, morality and, really, civilization.

I know, I know. Christians support G DUBYA- (Which ones- Pope JP for instance, when he condemned the Iraq War?), and that Christians are "always trying to push religion down peoples throats" (Yeah, like when those proslytyzing bastards have the gall to set up shelters in downtown T.O. and East Van to feed the hungry and counsel drug addicts!)

So with that backdrop, my question is, where would the west be without Christianity?

I realize there are some who would blame the church for all the world's ills. But if you're going to criticize them constantly, a little credit is due, no?

I mean, it was Christianity that accellerated the downfall of the Roman Empire. And it was Christianity that cushioned the blow when the Roman's collapsed. Imagine the anarchy that would have resulted if Europe hadn't had the unifying (and largely pacifist) force that was Christianity to unite it.

We'd have degenerated into a scattered tribe of Barbarians, arguing about the solstice and killing each other in internecine blood feuds like we see today in the mosques of Peshawar.

Instead, we had two relatively minor blood baths in the 30 Years War and the Inquisition. Both of these dark chapters occurred centuries ago and really, they pale into insignifigance compared to the nonsense we're seeing today from the Islamo-fascist Death Cult, or the areligious and amoral totalitarians from China.

What does everyone else think?

   

DerbyX, you want to take this one?

   

I think you should check out the Apology to DerbyX thread if you want your fill of Christianity. I know I got mine.

   

I have been drinking quite a bit. I just want to point out that this is exactly what I have been saying about me not starting the "shit-storm" threads. I'm too tired too.

   

And where do you even start?

   

Is it good that they accelerated the downfall of the Roman Empire? It led to the Dark Ages. We probably would be quite advanced technologically and socially had the Roman Empire not collapsed. Yes I know they were brutal, tyrranical etc. but that would have changed over 2000 years.

   

Err it didn't in fact it probably became worse or stayed the same to a degree. The Emperers tried to stamp out Christianity and were anti-Semetic and in turn the Christian Emperers of Byzantine tried to stamp out anything not even Christian. Instead of the glory of the Empire, it became for the glory of God. Was it a good thing that all the corruption in the Empire was rooted out with Christianity only to be replaced by corrupt people in the name of God? I don't think so but there are two sides to this particular coin.

   

On your first point, I'm going to have to disagree with you, as at the time the Western Roman Empire fell, Christianity was the official state religion. It was a Christian Rome that died fighting pagan invaders. The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine) was thoroughly Christian and its last gasp was in 1453 at the hands of the Ottoman's.

Roman power had been Christianity's greatest tool in its spread throughout Europeand the near east. it's fall was hardly welcomed and in fact many Christiáns viewed its death as the end of the world and the onset of Armageddon.

As to your belief that the Church preserved civilisation, I agree. They were the lanterns in the times of chaos following Rome's fall. Latin, Roman law, classic literature and philosophy were all held in safekeeping by the Churches.

When Islam began to spread out of the arabian peninsula, they conquered many of the places of learning that had formerly been Christian/Byzantine/Roman. They preserved what was in the libraries and not only refined but expanded on alot of the ideas, much to the benefit of the modern West. It's just interesting that out of Christendom, modern secularism evolved allowing us to create the most advanced and free societies on the planet. While out of the Islamic Heartland, we see a retrogression towards superstitition and repression from what was one of the most open and advanced civilizations in its time.

   

Good point Shepherd, although I would still argue the Romans never enjoyed the same success as Christians as they did as Pagans. When it comes to the preservation of civilization though, compare those metaphorical Christian "lanterns" to what the Taliban did to those Buddhist statues. A travesty.

   

WLDB, don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of the Romans. Cool uniforms, the Western Military Ethos, kickass Legions, the cradle of Western Civilization, roads, sewers, taxes, semi-representative government, efficient agriculture, etc. I love those guys. But their time was up when it was up, and the world had to change. I'm just saying it was a good thing it was replaced by the Vatican as opposed to the Mongols, Huns, Islam or Viking cultures, that's all.

   

Come again? The pagan Romans never enjoyed the same success as Christians??? What about Victories over Carthage in the Punic wars? How about Caesars victories in Gaul? How about victories over the Macedonians? How about the victories in Spain? Britian? How about ruling over most of Europe and Asia Minor? Never enjoyed the same success my ass. What enjoyment of success has the Christian Roman Empire accomplished..careful now.

   

Are we forgetting the dark ages? Brought about while what religion was in control?

   

I suppose in Catholic schools they teach everything from when Constantine I came to power and nothing before him...typical. And these people bitch about Islamic mindless indoctrination? Yes, thank God for Christianity.

   

What "enjoyment of success has the Christians Romans Empire accomplished"? How about being the bedrock of a culture that spread across Europe, and eventually the world. A culture that gave the world, oh, let's see;

Democratic government
The Industrial Revolution
The Market Economy
The Magna Carta
The Declaration of Independence
The Airplane
The Computer
Pizza Hut
Common Law
Hollywood Movies
Corn Chips
WWF wrestling
The Cell Phone
Internet Porn
DVD Porn
Any kind of Porn
Video Games
All You Can Eat Buffets
The Stealth Fighter

Shall I go on?

   

Yes, much better if Rome had been replaced by a more enlightened religion than Christianity. Maybe, Islam. Then we could STILL be enjoying the Dark Ages.

   

1  2  3  4  5 ... 11  Next