James Arjuna
Master Engineer, Scientist/Ordained Minister (1997–present)Aug 10
Most people don’t realize this:
The Roman Empire — the same empire that crucified Jesus and slaughtered his followers for 250 years — eventually claimed to be the “Christian” Church.
But the Rome that “converted” didn’t accept Jesus’ teachings.
It converted Jesus into something the empire could control.
Why Rome Did It
By the 4th century CE, the empire was collapsing from internal conflict, invasions, and economic decline. Christianity was spreading despite persecution.
Emperor Constantine realized it would be easier to merge Christianity with Roman religion than to wipe it out.
How? By swapping pagan gods and customs for “Christian” names — keeping the population happy and uniting the empire under one religion.
Timeline of the Pagan Takeover
Date
What Happened
33 CE
Jesus executed by Roman soldiers. Christianity is a small, scripture-based movement.
64 CE
Nero’s persecution — hundreds to thousands killed in Rome.
2nd Century CE
Greek philosophy seeps in — “immortal soul” idea from Plato replaces Bible teaching that the dead are unconscious.
Mid–2nd Century
Cross symbol adopted from pagan sun/fertility signs.
Late 2nd Century
Veneration of martyrs begins — mirrors pagan hero worship.
3rd Century
Hierarchical clergy forms — modeled after Roman priesthood.
274 CE
Emperor Aurelian promotes Sol Invictus (“Unconquered Sun”).
313 CE
Constantine legalizes Christianity (Edict of Milan) — pagan symbols and practices begin merging.
321 CE
Sunday (day of the Sun) made official day of worship, replacing the biblical Sabbath.
325 CE
Council of Nicaea — Trinity doctrine formalized, turning Jesus into a co-equal “god-king” like Rome’s mythological deities.
336 CE
December 25 chosen as Christ’s “birthday” — matching Sol Invictus festival.
380 CE
Roman version of Christianity becomes state religion (Edict of Thessalonica).
Late 4th Century
Mary given title “Mother of God” — mirrors Isis and Cybele goddess worship.
395 CE
Pagan processions, holy water, incense, and vestments now standard in “Christian” worship.
The Result
Rome stopped persecuting Christians — but only because it had remade Christianity in its own image.
The “Christian” church became a blend of:
Pagan gods → Saints, Mary, and a divine Christ in the pagan mold.
Pagan festivals → Christmas, Easter, All Saints’ Day.
Pagan rituals → Holy water, incense, relic veneration.
Pagan politics → Church and state united under imperial authority.
The Takeaway
If Jesus were alive on earth during the 4th century, the Roman state church would likely have treated Him exactly as the first-century Romans did — as a threat to their power.
The faith He taught in the first century was simple, pure, and free of politics. The religion Rome created was a political machine dressed in Christian clothing.
https://www.quora.com/
Master Engineer, Scientist/Ordained Minister (1997–present)Aug 10
Most people don’t realize this:
The Roman Empire — the same empire that crucified Jesus and slaughtered his followers for 250 years — eventually claimed to be the “Christian” Church.
But the Rome that “converted” didn’t accept Jesus’ teachings.
It converted Jesus into something the empire could control.
Why Rome Did It
By the 4th century CE, the empire was collapsing from internal conflict, invasions, and economic decline. Christianity was spreading despite persecution.
Emperor Constantine realized it would be easier to merge Christianity with Roman religion than to wipe it out.
How? By swapping pagan gods and customs for “Christian” names — keeping the population happy and uniting the empire under one religion.
Timeline of the Pagan Takeover
Date
What Happened
33 CE
Jesus executed by Roman soldiers. Christianity is a small, scripture-based movement.
64 CE
Nero’s persecution — hundreds to thousands killed in Rome.
2nd Century CE
Greek philosophy seeps in — “immortal soul” idea from Plato replaces Bible teaching that the dead are unconscious.
Mid–2nd Century
Cross symbol adopted from pagan sun/fertility signs.
Late 2nd Century
Veneration of martyrs begins — mirrors pagan hero worship.
3rd Century
Hierarchical clergy forms — modeled after Roman priesthood.
274 CE
Emperor Aurelian promotes Sol Invictus (“Unconquered Sun”).
313 CE
Constantine legalizes Christianity (Edict of Milan) — pagan symbols and practices begin merging.
321 CE
Sunday (day of the Sun) made official day of worship, replacing the biblical Sabbath.
325 CE
Council of Nicaea — Trinity doctrine formalized, turning Jesus into a co-equal “god-king” like Rome’s mythological deities.
336 CE
December 25 chosen as Christ’s “birthday” — matching Sol Invictus festival.
380 CE
Roman version of Christianity becomes state religion (Edict of Thessalonica).
Late 4th Century
Mary given title “Mother of God” — mirrors Isis and Cybele goddess worship.
395 CE
Pagan processions, holy water, incense, and vestments now standard in “Christian” worship.
The Result
Rome stopped persecuting Christians — but only because it had remade Christianity in its own image.
The “Christian” church became a blend of:
Pagan gods → Saints, Mary, and a divine Christ in the pagan mold.
Pagan festivals → Christmas, Easter, All Saints’ Day.
Pagan rituals → Holy water, incense, relic veneration.
Pagan politics → Church and state united under imperial authority.
The Takeaway
If Jesus were alive on earth during the 4th century, the Roman state church would likely have treated Him exactly as the first-century Romans did — as a threat to their power.
The faith He taught in the first century was simple, pure, and free of politics. The religion Rome created was a political machine dressed in Christian clothing.
https://www.quora.com/
