Why By Force? The Heralded Fathers

When did Christians first begin to use force to convert people?

After much searching it seems there is one Christian organization admitting some truth, although in the end prides itself for Christian unity bought at the tip of a sword.

The from The Christian History Institute. “Soon after the conversion of the Roman emperor Constantine, though the first use of force was not designed to convert pagans but to correct dissident Christians. Augustine, the great bishop of Hippo in North Africa in the late fourth and early fifth century, was faced with a dissident sect, the Donatists. Augustine wanted to bring them back in the orthodox fold, and he agonized about whether it was permissible to use coercion to do so.

Eventually he decided it was, and one biblical text that persuaded him was the parable of the great banquet (Luke 14:16–24). A rich man gives a feast, and when no one he invites shows up, he tells his servants to go out and “Compel (force) people to come in.” From then on the misery inflicted on humanity accelerated, all at the beckon of one of its now most heralded and oft quoted fathers.

As Christianity grows, it also grows intolerant. And by the 9th century virtually no believers object to forced coercion any more. This coincides with Christianity becoming the most populous religion of all the known world but China. By the 11th century it was a matter of fact. Christians had become the great Satan.

“There’s no sense in pretending this was an exceptional missionary tactic; for many centuries, it was the method of choice among Christian rulers and missionaries. The conversion of much of Europe and of Latin America is unimaginable without the sword”.(1)(Christian History Institute)

If only the likes of Loy, Mel, Brainyawn, and others would be a tenth as sensible. Christianity unfettered leads to force and division. Not just an occasional beating, but widespread murder wherever it took root. As surely as watering a seed to make it grow, Christian faith leads to barbarism—even in the great bishops.

Frustration builds as no one really believes the rhetoric and failed excuse of a religion. It’s pathetic results speaks for itself, so apologetics must present a monotony of sophist confusion to keep the sheep engaged. And if that’s not enough, maximum force.