The secret of how Christianity spread across the world

by Terry 108 Replies latest watchtower bible

• 

  Terry

  I have no problem with scholarly debate. I do have a problem with misogynistic overtones and egotisitical attitudes being thinly disguised as a scholarly discussion. And, by the way, Terry, I've written a few scholastic papers and my husband has written and defended the dissertation that got him his Phd, so we can state quite correctly that just because you footnote a book does not mean that you have supported your premise. It just means that you have found and quoted others who happen to agree with your opinions.

  Again, this discussion borders on silly and seems rather misogynistic as it is presented to this board.

  I'm interested in the details of your position. From the above (I'm sorry) I can't tell exactly where you stand on the topic.

  Is the assertion without merit or is the discussion merely without substance?

  Thanks!
• 

  PSacramento

  It appears not only to be a "secret" but a deliberate one. Just look at the rock-hard resistence we EX-JW's have to women here on the board.

  Yes, it is clear that some denominations, like the JW's, do use selective verses to undermine the place of women but I have to be honest Terry, since we are ALL free to read the whole freaking thing and the verse FOR women and in Favour of women in prominante roles FAR outweight those against them, I think that the responsibility for it being a "secret" and a "deliberate" one falls on US.

  Again, I don't see it as a secret, much less deliberate BUT then again I had and continure to have a "liberal" and "historical" education of the bible and Christianity.
• 

  Robdar

  Hi Terry, thanks for replying. My husband is actully interested in this thread (by all means it is not a boring discussion) and would like to read through it and maybe respond. I look forward to what both of you have to say in regards to this matter. He'll look over it when he gets back from the market.

  Later.
• 

  Robdar

  Shelby,

  As always, I found your post interesting. I was not aware that all fundamentalist christians do not blame Eve for their perceived fall from grace. Thank you for clearing up my misconception.

  Much love to you.

  Robyn
• 

  Terry

  For those who don't wish to slog through all the above mishmash here is my briefest statement of Topic in a nutshell.

  Christianity succeeded where Judaism failed (in the context of Roman rule) because they finessed the issue

  of resisting Rome without engaging in battle. Ghandi did the same thing with British rule.

  Passive resistance always wins.

  Martin Luther King demonstrated this as well.

  Taking the moral high ground provides a sharp and vivid contrast NOTICED BY WOMEN in society.

  Women have extraordinary influence largely by the SAME STRATEGEY.

  Women cannot engage men literally in battle of brute force. They "persuade" instead, take the moral high ground

  and win by art rather than violence.

  Women are the incubators of future generations.

  By attrition whatever women embrace becomes the next generations seedbed religiously, philosophically and politically.

  It is an inexorable process. Little mentioned or understood, I'd dare say.
• 

  Curtains

  The most interesting thing about the Rodney Stark's book is that it tries to provide a sociological model for how christianity spread so fast. It suggests the idea of networking and somehow Terry is packaging this with his own opinion which does have misogynistic overtones (Terry you have to admit this is true). I'm saying this becuase I don't think Rodney Stark suggests anything misogynistic.

  Rodney Starks ideas are based on assumptions and guesswork because there is no concrete proof of the numbers he suggests and he sometimes contradicts his own assumptions. However the model of networking he suggests does have merit and makes sense. I can agree that women probably networked and that this did to an extent cause christianity to increase. But then again men and women have always networked so networking is not peculiar to christianity.

  I think that as others have suggested lots of different forces came together but the main engine for the spread of christianity,imo, was that the Roman empire was very tolerant and that it finally defined and assimilated christianity.

  edit - Judaism maintained its resistance to Rome much more than Christianity and that is part of the reason they did not grow as exponentially. Plus they were very persecuted by the Christians.
• 

  Curtains

  lol terry thanks for providing your briefist statement - so are you prepared to say that you have somewhat changed your opinion or does the opinion expressed in the op still stand?
• 

  Terry

  lol terry thanks for providing your briefist statement - so are you prepared to say that you have somewhat changed your opinion or does the opinion expressed in the op still stand?

  I just cut and pasted what I said on page one. How is that a change?
• 

  Terry

  Terry is packaging this with his own opinion which does have misogynistic overtones (Terry you have to admit this is true).

  Would you care to iterate the "misogynistic overtones"? Or, are you interpreting them IN to what has been said by me?

  I am the father of four daughters and hardly a champion of misogynist thought!

  I am arguing FOR women and not against them

  I opened by saying that the "tone" of what I'm saying will be misinterpreted.

  My nitpick is that RELIGIOUS IDEAS themselves are of so little actual substance a great many men and women have lost their lives or dedicated

  their lives to not much more than imaginary promises never delivered!
• 

  Curtains

  right - well then I agree completely with Robdar

  terry I didn't think you were misogynistic in real life. I do understand the point you are trying to make and I am certainly not misinterpreting. You may think you are defending women but believe me you are not. I suggest you re-read your opening post.

  I think that the problem is that you have hastily rattled of a brainwave (in your op) and we are now showing you how inadequate it is.