How did Christianity become so popular

[vorlon13]

$$$$$$$$$

(then as now)

[Anomalocaris]

https://www.quora.com/How-did-Christiani...-religions

Circular - begs the question, why were there zealous missionaries?

Because it on the whole has exploited wide spread cognitive, psychological, behavior and sociological weaknesses of humans more effectively than other religions have thus far.  However, whenever man made institutions compet against each other, there is bound to be one that momentarily out perform all the others. If good performance allows the institution to bake in more durable advantage, then the tenure of the leading performer can last a substantial amount of time. This happen to be Christianity at the moment.

However, It was not continuously the most effective in this, Islam far surpassed it during several periods in history, and threaten to surpass it again now. Nothing other than contingency ensconced Christianity in its current position.

Despite strident efforts of your ilk to lengthen Christianity’s tenure in its current position, it will eventually lose it to something else. Some other other cults and religions will certainly rise sometime in the future to approrpriate its methods, implement it more effectively, and completely crush and supplant Christianity as the go to superstition amongst the feeble minded.

[SteveII]

How did Christianity become the biggest religion in the first place?

There is more information supporting the beginnings of Christianity than any other religion...by far. The message/teachings of Jesus are far more compelling than other religions...by far. Christianity answers the most pressing questions that humans ask (origins, purpose, value, morality, where are we going, etc.) better than any other religions do. 

I posted this awhile back:

While not universally true, I believe it is the appeal of Jesus as a person coupled with his teachings that draws people. Why do these things resonate with a large number of people?

It is obvious that we are somehow wired to believe in God/higher power/supernatural/purpose/destiny etc. Of course you will say this is a product of our evolution. There are several theories centered around the adaptive values of religion (social solidarity for one). However, these theories presupose naturalism. So the result of this reasoning is that if God did exist or did not exist, we would still be wired to believe God exists.

I think another reason this resonates with people is Jesus' main message that forgiveness, personal peace, a relationship with God, and eteral life is possible.
a. there are a lot of people, who have had tough experiences that find the forgiveness and internal peace very appealing.
b. when you meet somone who has been a Christian a long time and exemplifies Jesus' teachings and shares how God has been a constant comfort and support to them in their daily lives, it is very appealing.
c. eternal life, how can you beat that? This component also helps you make sense/cope of the shortness of life, tragedies, and pain endured while we are here.

Another appealing quality of Christianity is having the question of purpose and place in the universe answered. a. with atheism, at best, you are a happy accident with no purpose that will very shortly die and cease to exist.
b. contrast that with the purpose of man is to "Glorify God and enjoy him forever". We were created for a reason and daily life has purpose and you really want others to know what you have found.

In addition, Jesus modeled his teachings of love, compassion, and forgiveness for your fellow man and in doing so set an example that, if aspired to, would result in a very fulfilling life. Perhaps you are not old enough, but once you contemplate the brevity of life, finding fulfillment becomes important.

While I know the one-liners will start flying in a moment, please contemplate the point I made at the beginning: It is not the KCA, or where did life come from, or arguments about origins of morality that converts people to Christianity, it is Jesus and his message that does that and I thought it important to make that clear. 

[Brian37]

How did Christianity become the biggest religion in the first place?

It isn't the biggest, who told you that? Islam is. But when you take into account all 7 billion humans, Christians and Muslims and Jews don't add up together to be the majority. "Other" when you include Buddhists and Hindus and Sikhs and all other small religions they constitute the bulk of our world population.

The better way of asking the question would be.

"How did Christianity become popular".

Well, history explains this. You had Rome spending money left and right, bankrupting the country left and right, and then someone like Nero has a disaster under his rule, and looks for a scapegoat. Well, nobody likes a bully. The combo of bad economics and the old underdog story lead Constantine later to adapt the growing religion as his own. 

I think Nero specifically targeting Christians for the fire that burned down Rome had alot to do with their rise in popularity. 

Politics, is why, marketing is why. Those things together can make any good idea or bad idea become popular.

[Edwardo Piet]

How did Christianity become the biggest religion in the first place?

Because the New Testament said a lot of things that were very convincing to simple gullible average primitive folk and that has been passed down through the generations to simple gullible average modern folk.

[Brian37]

How did Christianity become the biggest religion in the first place?

Because the New Testament said a lot of things that were very convincing to simple gullible average primitive folk and that has been passed down through the generations to simple gullible average modern folk.

That too, but the same can be said for every religion. The vast majority of humans even today, get sold at birth the religion of their parents long before they can form critical thinking skills.

[SteveII]

How did Christianity become the biggest religion in the first place?

It isn't the biggest, who told you that? Islam is. But when you take into account all 7 billion humans, Christians and Muslims and Jews don't add up together to be the majority. "Other" when you include Buddhists and Hindus and Sikhs and all other small religions they constitute the bulk of our world population.

The better way of asking the question would be.

"How did Christianity become popular".

Well, history explains this. You had Rome spending money left and right, bankrupting the country left and right, and then someone like Nero has a disaster under his rule, and looks for a scapegoat. Well, nobody likes a bully. The combo of bad economics and the old underdog story lead Constantine later to adapt the growing religion as his own. 

I think Nero specifically targeting Christians for the fire that burned down Rome had alot to do with their rise in popularity. 

Politics, is why, marketing is why. Those things together can make any good idea or bad idea become popular.

Everything about that post is wrong. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_re...opulations
OR
http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/globa...cape-exec/
OR
any other of the top 10 hits if you type in "World Religion Populations" -- a trivially easy thing to do.

[Edwardo Piet]

Because the New Testament said a lot of things that were very convincing to simple gullible average primitive folk and that has been passed down through the generations to simple gullible average modern folk.

That too, but the same can be said for every religion. The vast majority of humans even today, get sold at birth the religion of their parents long before they can form critical thinking skills.

Well a lot of it is just luck and a fluke. That book was written at the right place and the right time.

And before the idiotic Christians jump in and say it isn't a coincidence and God meant it to be that way.... it fucking is. The fucking anrphoric principle rings a bell. It's no surprise to me that theists always fail to apply that principle.

LMAO: Neo once made it extremely clear to me that he doesn't even understand the anthropic principle. He practically said it wasn't even a real principle and it was invented for atheists. What a fucking dunce.

[Minimalist]

There is more information supporting the beginnings of Christianity than any other religion...by far.

And almost all of it is horseshit invented after the fact by the pious scumbags of the church.  Read Candida Moss "The Myth of Persecution" and learn some shit.

[brewer]

What ignorant class of subservient people wouldn't want their perceived enemies punished and get to live forever? Those in power and control figured out the gimmick and put it to good use to maintain power and control. 

Once it became an accepted part of society, the choice became join or be ostracized. 

Pssst, it's not just the christians.

---

Everything about that post is wrong. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_re...opulations

Great link. First line states (in bold) :"This article has multiple issues."....... Just what I've come to expect from fantasy boy.