The use of Religion to control, manipulate, and gain power

[The Grand Nudger]

The Romans noticed long before Constantine. Pliny's writing to Trajan;

Circa 111-113 ad. just so we're clear, and one roman...just so we're clear.

his standard practice appears to be

-to consult with Trajan upon things which he has little experience of, like christians - as he states in the opening sentences. In fact, he states plainly that he has had -no- experience with them prior to the matter which lead to his writing. So, by 113, christians have yet to establish any appreciable foothold in Pliny's Turkey (or Syria)- and our dear letter writer has no fucking clue whether or not he did the right thing - except insomuch as Romes line on it's authority is absolute and that they were clearly guilty of sedition (or forming forbidden political alliances). Just in case he was wrong...he sent a few to the "home office" and shot off a memo.

to execute those who refused to deconvert (and now we have ISIS- plus ca change). Any philosophy that declared Jesus as Christ (translation 'King') was immediately challenging Roman rule- and supposed sedition appears to be why execution was the process here.

Perhaps, or perhaps they just didn't worship the roman gods (state engforced religion). And? Take a look at Trajans reply. He seems unconcerned. He also states that Pliny is not to go door to door looking for them, that he is to ignore anonymous finger pointing, and that if they so much as bend the knee to a pagan altar they are to be set free.

Persecution indeed. Even before they took the reigns of power whomever that marginal cult was they never had a better friend. Something tells me that the jewish authorities (also protected by rome) would not have been so kind........So long as christians -quietly and privately- engaged in sedition.....they'd be aight.

That's assuming, of course.....that it isn't a forgery. Why would he be so ignorant of christians...wasn't Nero persecuting them in his childhood? Wasn't he a well placed lawyer, well educated, well connected (and particularly so to Nero)? Seems a strange thing to find oneself so uncertain of, given his background, upbringing, position, and where he held those positions.