No way to be sure, but the evidence suggests that the Christian population share of the Roman empire grew more by natural increase than by conversion. In short, Christians (then) had large families while the pagans did not. Today's Christian Europe is in danger of disappearing for the same reason the pagan Romans disappeared, demographic collapse and replacement by another religious group tat does actually have babies. May the new pope and the new religiosity stimulate a Christian baby boom!
One thing that appeared to lead to Roman matrons turning to the Church was the very early (it is believed from Peter) antipathy by the Christians to infanticide.
Killing 'unwanted' babies after birth was common in the old world. (Sometimes in the new in areas as well.) The Church was rabidly against it. In Roman law, a husband could order his wife to kill an unwanted child. UNLESS she had a religious exemption. (There were such.)
Since it was against her religion, she could keep the child and the husband had to figure out the money.
Thus, yes, Roman Christian families were larger than pagan and probably just out produced them.
Cagney in Angels With Dirty Faces is something that I try to relate as being the epitome of faith. He takes the reputation hit in order to convey the message that his example is not to be followed. He knows he will be mocked and reviled after his death. He sacrifices his reputation on this Earth.
The fact that he's American is completely irrelevant. The world's cardinals have chosen South American popes twice running now. They are deeply concerned about the evaporation of Catholicism in the region.
The fact that you tied politics to the "resurgence" of men into Christianity demonstrates that this is not a resurgence of Christianity, this is a political movement. Those are not the same thing. Poland had this problem during JP II's reign, where Catholicism was tied to politics. Now that communism is gone, Catholicism is evaporating in Poland. It will continue to evaporate around the world, and Leo XIV - a wonderful, accomplished man, I'm sure - will not be able to stop it.
Catholicism cannot survive on politics. Women are not going to suddenly realize the error of their ways and return to stand beside men. They have no reason to do such a thing. The old paradigm is gone, the new one has not yet been established.
No way to be sure, but the evidence suggests that the Christian population share of the Roman empire grew more by natural increase than by conversion. In short, Christians (then) had large families while the pagans did not. Today's Christian Europe is in danger of disappearing for the same reason the pagan Romans disappeared, demographic collapse and replacement by another religious group tat does actually have babies. May the new pope and the new religiosity stimulate a Christian baby boom!
One thing that appeared to lead to Roman matrons turning to the Church was the very early (it is believed from Peter) antipathy by the Christians to infanticide.
Killing 'unwanted' babies after birth was common in the old world. (Sometimes in the new in areas as well.) The Church was rabidly against it. In Roman law, a husband could order his wife to kill an unwanted child. UNLESS she had a religious exemption. (There were such.)
Since it was against her religion, she could keep the child and the husband had to figure out the money.
Thus, yes, Roman Christian families were larger than pagan and probably just out produced them.
Something to remember with Islamics.
White Sox fan — Otherwise, good post!
Great article indeed. But he is a White Sox fan - well - I was a White Sox fan also! Never got into the Cubs. Shoeless Joe - we still remember you.
Cagney in Angels With Dirty Faces is something that I try to relate as being the epitome of faith. He takes the reputation hit in order to convey the message that his example is not to be followed. He knows he will be mocked and reviled after his death. He sacrifices his reputation on this Earth.
Great as usual Michael, except Leo XIV is a White Sox fan!
Great. Thank you
Your enumeration of Leo is off by XL in the final paragraph. Otherwise interesting essay.
Typo, fixed.
Here's hoping.
Thanks for that, dear sir.
Great -we need a bridge builder to get back on course
The fact that he's American is completely irrelevant. The world's cardinals have chosen South American popes twice running now. They are deeply concerned about the evaporation of Catholicism in the region.
The fact that you tied politics to the "resurgence" of men into Christianity demonstrates that this is not a resurgence of Christianity, this is a political movement. Those are not the same thing. Poland had this problem during JP II's reign, where Catholicism was tied to politics. Now that communism is gone, Catholicism is evaporating in Poland. It will continue to evaporate around the world, and Leo XIV - a wonderful, accomplished man, I'm sure - will not be able to stop it.
Catholicism cannot survive on politics. Women are not going to suddenly realize the error of their ways and return to stand beside men. They have no reason to do such a thing. The old paradigm is gone, the new one has not yet been established.
Julius Caesar's bridges across the Rhine were indeed famous.
They were built for war.