The Edict Of Milan Analysis
In the years prior to 313 CE Christianity was dominated by the state, however after the year 313 CE The Edict of Milan was established leading to the state collaborating with the church. Without The Edict of Milan being established Christianity wouldn’t be merely as powerful and influential today. The relationship between the Christian Church and the State prior to The Edict of Milan was state domination, so much so that the Christian Church was illegal. Despite Christianity’s rapid rise in popularity in other parts of the world, Christianity in the Roman Empire was misinterpreted and being a member could bring enormous risks. The state domination meant that Christians could not openly profess their faith without fears of persecution, notably
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Thus The Edict of Milan still holds relevance in today’s contemporary society, guiding Christian thinking today both institutionally and societally to a significant extent. The Edict of Milan meant that Christianity could collaborate with one of the most powerful empires during the ancient era, (Lawson, 2013) then growing to be one of the largest and powerful religions itself. (Reid, 1999) nevertheless Christianity still holds large power and popularity in today’s society. “As of 2010, Christianity was by far the world's largest religion, with an estimated 2.2 billion adherents, nearly a third of all 6.9 billion people on Earth,” (Unknown Author, 2015) though did The Edict of Milan play an important role in this? Without Christianity being legalised followers would most likely have feared persecution and “thus congregated to another religion accepted in the Roman Empire.” (Reid, 1989) The Roman Empire was verging to be one, if not, most powerful Empire in Europe. (Dwight, 2015) Without Christianity’s collaboration with the state, and later becoming the official religion of the state, Christianity could never have become so broad and popular. The natural moral law was the building blocks of today’s Catholic social teachings. The natural moral law covers contemporary issues such as abortion, contraception and IVF. Though these words were not precisely written, ‘these issues were so far outside the biblical mindset and so obviously wrong that it did not need the frequent condemnations other sins did.’ (Lewis, 2001) Without the Edict of Milan being established Christianity wouldn’t have had enough of a following to have the authority to publish such document. For a Christian; abortions, contraception and IVF are considered to be abdominal sins
Thus The Edict of Milan still holds relevance in today’s contemporary society, guiding Christian thinking today both institutionally and societally to a significant extent. The Edict of Milan meant that Christianity could collaborate with one of the most powerful empires during the ancient era, (Lawson, 2013) then growing to be one of the largest and powerful religions itself. (Reid, 1999) nevertheless Christianity still holds large power and popularity in today’s society. “As of 2010, Christianity was by far the world's largest religion, with an estimated 2.2 billion adherents, nearly a third of all 6.9 billion people on Earth,” (Unknown Author, 2015) though did The Edict of Milan play an important role in this? Without Christianity being legalised followers would most likely have feared persecution and “thus congregated to another religion accepted in the Roman Empire.” (Reid, 1989) The Roman Empire was verging to be one, if not, most powerful Empire in Europe. (Dwight, 2015) Without Christianity’s collaboration with the state, and later becoming the official religion of the state, Christianity could never have become so broad and popular. The natural moral law was the building blocks of today’s Catholic social teachings. The natural moral law covers contemporary issues such as abortion, contraception and IVF. Though these words were not precisely written, ‘these issues were so far outside the biblical mindset and so obviously wrong that it did not need the frequent condemnations other sins did.’ (Lewis, 2001) Without the Edict of Milan being established Christianity wouldn’t have had enough of a following to have the authority to publish such document. For a Christian; abortions, contraception and IVF are considered to be abdominal sins