In the year 40 AD, there were fewer than 1000 Christians [1]. By 381 AD, Christianity had become the state religion of the Roman Empire. But one may argue that a lot of water had passed under the bridge in 381 years. By the time the Christian religion reached the corridors of power of the Roman Empire, the influence of Roman pagan religious practices and traditions had already penetrated Christianity. The teachings of Jesus had been diluted and compromised.
When the Roman Empire adopted Christianity as its official religion, it did so without abandoning old beliefs. They blended elements from the traditional Roman religion with Christian beliefs and practices. This process is known as religious syncretism.
For example, according to Roman mythology, Rhea Silvia was impregnated by the war god Mars. She had twins, Romulus and Remus. Romulus killed Remus and later founded Rome. The point here is, Romulus was the son of the god Mars [2].
Other Roman deities, e.g., Jupiter, the chief Roman god, Jupiter was often equated with the Christian God. Similarly, Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, was associated with the Virgin Mary. This is probably why we see idols of the Virgin Mary in the churches. So, imagining Jesus as a son of God and placing his idols in the churches may not have seemed a step too far at the time.
However, this goes against the teachings of Jesus. Jesus taught the Oneness of God. He preached a monotheistic religion. Allah (SWT), using stern language, rebukes the Christians’ claim that He has any offspring:
And to warn those who claim, “Allah (SWT) has offspring.” They have no knowledge of this, nor did their forefathers. What a terrible claim that comes out of their mouths! They say nothing but lies. (Qur’an 18:4-5)
And in Surah Al-Ma’idah Allah (SWT) says:
And ˹on Judgment Day˺ Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you ever ask the people to worship you and your mother as gods besides Allah?” He will answer, “Glory be to You! How could I ever say what I had no right to say? If I had said such a thing, you would have certainly known it. You know what is ˹hidden˺ within me, but I do not know what is within You. Indeed, You ˹alone˺ are the Knower of all unseen. I never told them anything except what You ordered me to say: “Worship Allah—my Lord and your Lord!” And I was witness over them as long as I remained among them. But when You took me, You were the Witness over them—and You are a Witness over all things. If You punish them, they belong to You after all. But if You forgive them, You are surely the Almighty, All-Wise.” (Qur’an 5:116-118)
The Roman Empire after accepting Christianity as a state religion remained one-eyed. Emperor Constantine not only prohibited freedom of thought; he “launched the first campaign of persecution by Christians against Christians and began imperial involvement in Christian theology” [3], as the only denomination acceptable was Catholicism. Any other Christian belief was considered heresy. Afterwards, when the Pope took the reins of power, replacing the Roman emperor, nothing changed; political tyranny continued. Tuscan scholar Petrarch in the 1330s coined the term Dark Ages for the period post-Roman Empire [4].
The term ‘Dark Ages’ to describe that period seems misleading. Because, during this time, when Europe was going through the Dark Ages, Spain was experiencing its Golden Age under the Muslim Empire. Was there a Golden Age on one side of the border and a Dark Age on the other side of the border? A two-eyed system in Spain and a one-eyed system in the rest of Europe.
Strange!
Without social justice, equality, freedom, and divine law, it is not possible to have a two-eyed system.
References
[1] “Historiography of the Christianization of the Roman Empire,” 29 09 2024. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historiography_of_the_Christianization_of_the_Roman_Empire.
[2] “Rhea Silvia,” 24 08 2024. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhea_Silvia.
[3] “Christianity as the Roman state religion,” 05 10 2024. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_as_the_Roman_state_religion#Establishment_and_early_controversies.
[4] “Dark Ages (historiography),” 08 10 2024. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Ages_(historiography).
