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Out of an interest in late antiquity, I've been fascinated by the change from paganism to Christianity. Under paganism, rites were carried out to secure favor f

Out of an interest in late antiquity, I've been fascinated by the change from paganism to Christianity. Under paganism, rites were carried out to secure favor for the society and if there was a personal aspect, it was transactional (if you grant me favor, I will make such-and-such a sacrifice). But this tradition also contained various mystery cults wherein secrets would be revealed to you upon initiation (the popularity of which increased in late antiquity). Early Christianity can be seen to function in this mystery cult niche, but why should it have proven to be so successful? My suspicion is that the personal aspect of religion and revelation became increasingly important. Why that might be is good fodder for speculation. To relate this to the part of what darkwater you are responding to: > My biggest issue, implicit in my initial comment, is that we as humanity should grow up and stop needing a mythical figure like a "God Almighty" to care about our neighbor. And the heart of your response: > It turns out, people can relate to, be influenced by, and learn from participating in stories with other people a LOT more than they can by changed by propositional debates and lectures. I have the sense that there was a moment in western culture (vaguely late golden/silver age of Roman literature) when we could have stepped past religion into philosophy. Stoicism was well-regarded, its aim (like cynicism and epicureanism) was to achieve a state of ataraxia, tranquility, and a major portion of the curriculum was logic. But a mass shift in mentality towards personal divine revelation took place instead, so I (reluctantly) have to agree with you.

prometheus76 5y ago
Stoicism put a person at the whim of the Fates. It was essentially Calvinism, where you could not affect your destiny, because you were either chosen by the gods, or you weren't. Shakespeare summed up Stoicism well when he said "as flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport." Contrast that with the proposition of Christianity, which is that the Creator of the Universe, because of His infinite love for creation, humbled Himself and condescended so low as to be a Person born in a cave to a poor family, suffered betrayal by almost all of his closest followers, suffered an ignominious death, then rose from the dead on the third day after His death, thereby conquering death by death, and you, poor, broken, sinful, incorrigible you, can have a personal relationship with the God-man who calls Himself Jesus Christ.
- nescioquid 5y ago
  The stoic dicta to live in accordance with god/nature and to carefully consider what things are in your control and which not (mainly, the only things in your control are your own judgements). It has nothing to do with the doctrine of The Elect, which if I recall stems from a medieval theological catch-22 (if god is all powerful, and if you can earn your way into heaven with "good works", then the implication is that god would be less than all powerful because you, a lowly human, would have some power in the matter). But the church both appropriated and denigrated the classical tradition. I wouldn't really expect to see an honest representation of stoicism, or Platonism, or of anything really, from the church.

prometheus76 5y ago

Stoicism put a person at the whim of the Fates. It was essentially Calvinism, where you could not affect your destiny, because you were either chosen by the gods, or you weren't. Shakespeare summed up Stoicism well when he said "as flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport." Contrast that with the proposition of Christianity, which is that the Creator of the Universe, because of His infinite love for creation, humbled Himself and condescended so low as to be a Person born in a cave to a poor family, suffered betrayal by almost all of his closest followers, suffered an ignominious death, then rose from the dead on the third day after His death, thereby conquering death by death, and you, poor, broken, sinful, incorrigible you, can have a personal relationship with the God-man who calls Himself Jesus Christ.

nescioquid 5y ago
The stoic dicta to live in accordance with god/nature and to carefully consider what things are in your control and which not (mainly, the only things in your control are your own judgements). It has nothing to do with the doctrine of The Elect, which if I recall stems from a medieval theological catch-22 (if god is all powerful, and if you can earn your way into heaven with "good works", then the implication is that god would be less than all powerful because you, a lowly human, would have some power in the matter). But the church both appropriated and denigrated the classical tradition. I wouldn't really expect to see an honest representation of stoicism, or Platonism, or of anything really, from the church.