On: How did Christianity change the Roman Empire?

[InTheArena]

It's also worth noting that these rituals included worship of the Caesars themselves. The rejection of an imposed faith then, necessarily, also included a rejection of empire.

[nyokodo → InTheArena]

> The rejection of an imposed faith then, necessarily, also included a rejection of empire

The issue of being a good Roman citizen apart from worship of the Emperor was a key issue for early Christians. The answer was that they most certainly could do so, including serving in the army. It was obviously possible as after Rome became Christian it carried on for centuries.

[jltsiren → InTheArena]

Imposed religion, not imposed faith. That difference between religion as a civic duty and religion as a matter of faith was the core issue.

[InTheArena → jltsiren]

I think that's a fair comment. Christianity being a matter of personal faith rather than government mandate was a core issue. Like many empires, Rome could not survive a world where the state itself was not the deity.

[nyokodo → InTheArena]

> Rome could not survive a world where the state itself was not the deity.

Except it could, and did for a thousand years depending on how you measure it.