Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life, crucifixtion, resurection and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament writings of his early followers. It is the world's largest religion, with an estimated 2.1 billion adherents, or about one-third of the total world population. It shares with Judaism the Hebrew Bible (historically called by Christians the Old Testament), and for this reason is sometimes called an Abrahamic religion along with Judaism and Islam.

Christianity and persecution

Historically Christians, both as groups and individuals, have like many other religious traditions, been both the victims and perpetrators of persecution. Some forms of persecution of Christians and on the part of Christians continue to the present day.

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Persecution of Christians

(For full article, see Persecution of Christians)

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Christian martyrs in the first three centuries were crucified, torn apart by chariots, cut down, or impaled on pikes in much the same manner as other Roman political prisoners and rebels. Many were forced to fight in Roman coliseums as fodder for famous gladiators, or forced to fight each other for entertainment and as punishment. When early Christians refused to fight each other, wild beasts or gladiators would often be set loose to slaughter them, providing sinister entertainment for betting Roman citizens. Bets were often cast on which Christian would die first, whether or not one would raise arms against another, and how long one would last before having his or her torso ripped apart. They are recognized as martyrs because they chose to die rather than renounce their Christian faith.

Related Topics:
Martyr - Crucified - Chariot - Roman - Political prisoners - Rebel - Coliseum - Gladiator

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In the modern Middle East and Africa, Christians face a great deal of persecution, including arrests for "blasphemy" in the Middle East and even being targeted for assassination and acts of terrorism. Though such violence against Christians is extremely uncommon in China, Christians in China are treated as second class citizens, and are often the victims of public insults and persecution by government officials. In China there are also laws against proselytizing, so while it's not illegal to convert to Christianity, one can be fined or imprisoned for attempting to convert others, especially publicly. Predominantly Christian regions (such as East Timor) have chosen independence partly for this reason. Because of this, many Christian converts from these parts of the world have left for Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia.

Related Topics:
Middle East - Africa - Assassination - Terrorism - China - East Timor - Europe - United States - Canada - Australia

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Some Christians see restrictions placed on some forms of religious activity, whether of Christianity or other religions, in the public sphere as a form of discrimination of religious people in general.

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Persecution by Christians

(For full article, see Historical persecution by Christians.)

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Christians have not only been the victims of persecution. After the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, Christian mobs frequently molested pagans and destroyed their temples, sometimes with government support. The philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria was murdered by such a mob in 415.

Related Topics:
Constantine - Pagans - Hypatia of Alexandria - 415

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In 380, Roman emperor Theodosius I made Christianity the official religion of the Empire and outlawed the practising of paganism and Manichaeism. Judaism remained legal, but Jewish communities suffered from recurrent violent attacks and expulsions, especially in the latter half of the Middle Ages.

Related Topics:
380 - Theodosius I - Paganism - Manichaeism - Judaism

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During the Crusades, Christian Crusaders committed atrocities against Jews across Europe and massacred non-combatants in Palestine and Syria. Crusaders also sacked and plundered the city of Constantinople and persecuted many Pagans, Muslims, and Jews.

Related Topics:
Crusades - Constantinople

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Related Topics:
Arian disputes - Priscillian - 385 - Inquisition - Crusades - Constantinople - Witch hunts - New England

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Allegations of Christian persecution of others continue to the present day. Christians in the Western world are often accused of engaging in discrimination against other religions, denominations, and minorities. For example, some claim persecution in the opposition of some Christians to giving equal status to homosexual activities; rare individual instances of religiously motivated violence and vandalism also occur. Such offenses, however, are usually on a smaller scale than the persecution seen in the rest of the world.

Related Topics:
Discrimination - Violence - Vandalism

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In the second half of the 20th century, ethnic or social conflicts are sometimes reinforced by religious antagonism. In Northern Ireland, the struggle for independence is exacerbated by denominational differences; in general terms, Catholics support independence, while Protestants desire to remain part of the United Kingdom. The region of former Yugoslavia contains many groups fighting for control, most of which are typified by strong cultural and religious solidarity.

Related Topics:
20th century - Northern Ireland - Yugoslavia

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