(July 27, 2013 at 8:05 am)Consilius Wrote: And, DP, what about the early church exploiting the masses? Any evidence either way?
We need to first define what you mean by "early church" and "exploiting the masses". I've already reviewed how there was not one church but many. Also, what time period are we discussing?
If your point is to discuss the motive behind the establishment of Christianity, I haven't suggested that the original intent was to start a church that would exploit people. I personally find it more likely that the driving force behind early Christianity was a theological crisis in Judaism. The Jews were chaffing under the rule of a foreign empire. What happened to Yahweh's promise that the seed of David would rule for all time?
I have to run right now but I'll post more on this later. To give a sneak preview, it involves looking for the promised kingdom in a "higher place" and incorporating pagan influences of an intercessor-deity and a salvation message for the afterlife.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
