The Christian religion has a long and complicated history, full of schisms and controversies. Christianity began as a small sect of Judaism in the 1st century AD but quickly grew to become the largest religion in the world. Christianity has been through many changes over the centuries, both in doctrine and practice. The following is a brief overview of some of the major events in Christian history.
The early Christians were a persecuted minority within Judaism. They were often seen as heretics and were regularly persecuted by the Jewish authorities. This changed when Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in 312 AD and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire. From this point on, Christianity was largely tolerated by the authorities, although there were occasional periods of persecution, such as under Emperor Diocletian in the 4th century.
Christianity split into two major branches in the 11th century, Orthodoxy and Catholicism. The two branches have been in a state of simmering tension ever since. The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century saw Christianity splinter into even more denominations, such as Lutherans, Calvinists, and Anabaptists.
The 18th and 19th centuries saw a growing movement of Christians who sought to return to the early, simple teachings of Christianity. This movement is known as evangelicalism or the Great Awakening. In the 20th century, many Christians were active in social reform movements, such as the civil rights movement and the anti-apartheid movement.
Holier Than Thou
Christians have often been accused of being judgemental and hypocritical. The term “holier than thou” is often used to describe someone who is excessively pious or self-righteous. This stereotype is based on the fact that some Christians do tend to be judgemental and critical of others, especially those who do not share their beliefs. However, it is important to remember that not all Christians are like this. Many Christians are very tolerant and accepting of others, regardless of their beliefs.
The Crusades
The Crusades were a series of military campaigns launched by Christian Europeans in an attempt to retake the Holy Land from the Muslims. The Crusades were extremely brutal and resulted in the mass slaughter of both Muslims and Jews. The Crusades are often seen as one of the darkest periods in Christian history.
The Inquisition
The Inquisition was a Catholic Church court that was used to hunt down and punish heretics. The Inquisition was responsible for the torture and execution of many innocent people. The Inquisition is often seen as one of the most barbaric and repressive institutions in Christian history.
The Witch Trials
The witch trials were a series of mass trials and executions of supposed witches in Europe and North America. Thousands of innocent people, mostly women, were accused of being witches and killed during the witch trials. The witch trials are often seen as one of the most tragic episodes in Christian history.
Today, Christianity is the largest religion in the world, with over 1.2 billion followers. It is practiced in every country on earth and has a profound impact on Western culture. The Christian religion is sure to continue to evolve in the centuries to come.