Was Christianity Formed to Control the Masses?
A very common theme designed to marginalize and discredit religion and Christianity, is to claim that its origins are rooted in control and money. Because Christianity embraces a moral law followed by reward and punishment in heaven or hell, it seems like a plausible argument that it can and will control the citizens of a state. Consequently, atheists claim that control is the original intent of the founders of most religions and certainly of Christianity. Some will go as far as claiming that it was Constantine who brought us Christianity with this intention in mind.
There are many problems with these claims, primarily that they ignore solid historic facts. First, if Christianity was designed to control the masses, then to substantiate this claim, one would expect that it was a top down ideology. Or put another way, that it came from high government officials, then passed down to the masses. But of course, we don't see this in Christianity. It's origins begin with Jesus' followers who opposed Roman and religious control. It spreads for the first 300 years among the poor counter-culture in secret, of which many paid with their lives. By the end of the second century, we have churches established throughout the Mediterranean, Europe, and Africa and we know that the New Testament documents were recognized by then; yet, Christianity is still illegal and prosecuted by an oppressive Roman government. Therefore, the claim that Christianity was formed to control the masses is a myth that is not supported by the historical record.
As for the claim that it was Constantine who brought us Christianity with the intent of establishing loyal subjects, it is also wrought with problems. The Roman Empire had flourished for hundreds of years with its pagan religion, and therefore, there was no need for a new religion. The New Testament documents were well established long before he became emperor. His council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. was primarily to discuss the nature of God and establish a Nicaean creed. If it had been his intent to use Christianity to control the masses, this would have been a very poor choice, because the established Roman gods were warrior gods ideal for a warrior king, while Christianity teaches love and forgiveness. In fact, many linked the fall of Rome to the spread of Christianity. Therefore, the claim that it was Constantine who brought us Christianity to establish loyal subjects is another myth that is not supported by the historical record.
There are many problems with these claims, primarily that they ignore solid historic facts. First, if Christianity was designed to control the masses, then to substantiate this claim, one would expect that it was a top down ideology. Or put another way, that it came from high government officials, then passed down to the masses. But of course, we don't see this in Christianity. It's origins begin with Jesus' followers who opposed Roman and religious control. It spreads for the first 300 years among the poor counter-culture in secret, of which many paid with their lives. By the end of the second century, we have churches established throughout the Mediterranean, Europe, and Africa and we know that the New Testament documents were recognized by then; yet, Christianity is still illegal and prosecuted by an oppressive Roman government. Therefore, the claim that Christianity was formed to control the masses is a myth that is not supported by the historical record.
As for the claim that it was Constantine who brought us Christianity with the intent of establishing loyal subjects, it is also wrought with problems. The Roman Empire had flourished for hundreds of years with its pagan religion, and therefore, there was no need for a new religion. The New Testament documents were well established long before he became emperor. His council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. was primarily to discuss the nature of God and establish a Nicaean creed. If it had been his intent to use Christianity to control the masses, this would have been a very poor choice, because the established Roman gods were warrior gods ideal for a warrior king, while Christianity teaches love and forgiveness. In fact, many linked the fall of Rome to the spread of Christianity. Therefore, the claim that it was Constantine who brought us Christianity to establish loyal subjects is another myth that is not supported by the historical record.