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Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Alan Markoff who wrote (24475)	8/19/1998 6:02:00 PM
From: Achilles	Respond to of 108807

Well, Gibbon did not lay the whole blame at Christianity's door, but he did think this was a factor. But on the whole it was not a very good idea, and I don't think that Gibbon's analysis was correct. (He was, it is worth pointing out, writing at the time of your revolution.) I have nothing much to say about the question of whether immorality causes the downfall of civilizations in general: often it was merely a question of military superiority. But when it comes to Rome, immorality was not (in my opinion) a factor.

To: Alan Markoff who wrote (24475)	8/19/1998 6:58:00 PM
From: Rambi	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 108807

Nancy, Someone said (and I paraphrase bigtime)that the amazing thing is not that Rome fell, but that it took so long to do so. It was a monstrous conglomeration of peoples and territories. One of the strengths of the Pax Romana was that they knew enough to leave the basic culture of a conquered area alone, requiring only their allegiance politically. THe problem of Christianity was not the religion itself, but that it emphasized salvation and a future rather than a dedication to the state as its primary focus. Patriotism declined. Then of course you get the jealousies and ambitions of the different sects, all out to gain the favor of the emperor and if they didn't, to plot against him. Many of the loveliest aspects of Christianity aren't compatible at all with a military government that requires a primary commitment from its people. So of course you're right that the Christian belief isn't DIRECTLY responsible. THey were just one more straw on the weakening empire.