How were people converted to Christianity?

Answer 1

By the time of Emperor Constantine, after three centuries of preaching, Christianity represented about ten per cent of the population of the Roman Empire. Part of this achievement was a result of awe at the power of the Christian Church Fathers, who had claimed that some among them could cure sickness and even raise the dead. Part of it resulted from respect for Christianity's undoubted concern for the poor and its moral principles.

Emperor Constantine gave Christianity considerable state patronage and began the persecution of the pagan temples. He also ensured that those with ambition knew they would improve their career prospects by adopting Christianity, or at least appearing to do so. As the lower ranks of society were governed by imitation, the conversion of the eminent, powerful or wealthy was soon followed by dependent multitudes, further encouraged by Constantine's promise for every Roman convert of a white garment, with twenty pieces of gold. When agreeing to peace treaties with the conquered German tribes, he insisted on a condition that they all convert to Christianity. Christianity grew rapidly throughout the empire during Constantine's reign, but by the time he died, was still only supported by a minority of the population.

Constantine's Christian sons and successors increased the persecution of the pagan temples and continued to encourage Christianity. Eventually, Theodosius (378-395) made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire and banned the public worship of pagan gods. Conversion to Christianity gradually became a safer option than continuing to worship the old gods.

Around 987, the pagan Prince Vladimir of Kiev sent envoys to neighbouring lands to find out about other religions. He wanted to ally his land with its most powerful neighbours through religion, a decision which led to his adoption of Christianity. Vladimir was baptised into Orthodox Christianity and required the same of all his subjects. Thus, all of Russia became Christian on the decision of one man.

With the opening up of the New World, Christianity had the opportunity to spread to new fields. Sometimes this was at the point of the sword, sometimes by genuine preaching and sometimes assisted by deception. Some historians say that the sixteenth century Spaniards created the legend of Our Lady of Guadalupe, saying that an image appeared on a simple peasant's cloak, to encourage the conversion of the indigenous population of early Mexico.

Nelson Mandela, in his autobiography, tells that in South Africa rural blacks could only receive any form of education by adopting Christianity and attending Christian schools. Those who aspired to being seen as cultured and civilised realised that Christianity was the path to be taken. Similar stories could be told in primitive societies elsewhere in Africa and the Pacific islands.