What are the negative results of constantines conversion to Christianity on the Catholic church?

Answer 1

Constantine's conversion to Christianity in the 4th century AD/CE produced both positive and negative results for Christianity (or, the 'Catholic church') at the time and in subsequent years, even centuries. One negative result, recognized by many even at the time, was the involvement of Christians in 'worldly' affairs and problems, political and military and others alike. While this involvement could also be seen as a positive, if only potentially, it undeniably complicated the Christian attempt to lead a simple life of faith.

Answer 2

It is unusual for the conversion of any person to be considered disadvantageous to others. However, Constantine's embrace of Christianity, combined with sheer extravagance and his absolute power as emperor of Rome, affected citizens of the empire and had long term negative consequences.

It was already a problem that Constantine's personal expenses were quite lavish and that he also undertook a major imperial building program, including the city of Constantinople. At the same time, because he wanted to showcase Christianity, he embarked on a massive program of building magnificent churches throughout the empire, at state expense. In addition, he paid very substantial state stipends to the Christian clergy and, although many senior clerics were quite wealthy, exempted them from payment of taxes.

If the clergy no longer paid taxes, someone had to pay for Constantine's extravagance. Lactantius, a Christian who usually supported Constantine, said that as the fatal time approached, all the towns were seen in tears and grief. The scourge and the rack were used against those whose extreme poverty could not support this unjust tax. Mothers sold their children, and fathers prostituted their daughters to pay the tax.

Constantine's sons succeeded him, with the same commitment to spending imperial funds for the benefit of the Church. Added to this was the cost of rebuilding or maintaining many of the buildings that Constantine had odered constructed, but which were poorly built because of limited resources. Not only was the empire impoverished, but the tax regime removed all incentive for the middle classes to create individual wealth. The decline of empire was inevitable.