I would like to find out just how much people both who are and are not Christians know about the formation of this religion.
For the purpose of this discussion, let's assume that Jesus was in fact a man who lived and preached, whatever else may or may not be true about his deity.
From wikipedia:
The First Council of Nicaea, held in Nicea in Bithynia (in present-day Turkey), convoked by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in 325, was the first ecumenical[1] conference of bishops of the Christian Church, and most significantly resulted in the first uniform Christian doctrine, called the Nicene Creed. With the creation of the creed, a precedent was established for subsequent 'general (ecumenical) councils of Bishops' (Synods) to create statements of belief and canons of doctrinal orthodoxy the intent being to define unity of beliefs for the whole of Christendom.
The purpose of the council was to resolve disagreements in the Church of Alexandria over the nature of Jesus in relationship to the Father; in particular, whether Jesus was of the same substance as God the Father or merely of similar substance. St. Alexander of Alexandria and Athanasius took the first position; the popular presbyter Arius, from whom the term Arian controversy comes, took the second. The council decided against the Arians overwhelmingly (of the estimated 250-318 attendees, all but 2 voted against Arius). Another result of the council was an agreement on the date of the Christian Passover (Pascha in Greek; Easter in modern English), the most important feast of the ecclesiastical calendar. The council decided in favour of celebrating the resurrection on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, independently of the Bible's Hebrew Calendar (see also Quartodecimanism), and authorized the Bishop of Alexandria (presumably using the Alexandrian calendar) to announce annually the exact date to his fellow bishops.
The Council of Nicaea was historically significant because it was the first effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom.[2] "It was the first occasion for the development of technical Christology."[2] Further, "Constantine in convoking and presiding over the council signaled a measure of imperial control over the church."[2] With the creation of the Nicene Creed, a precedent was established for subsequent general councils to create a statement of belief and canons which were intended to become guidelines for doctrinal orthodoxy and a source of unity for the whole of Christendom a momentous event in the history of the Church and subsequent history of Europe.
So, some three centuries after his death, this council was convened by the Roman emperor to unify the Church. Please bear in mind that there was no such thing as separation of church and state- the reiligion WAS the law of the land, and has been in most civilisations throughout history.
The two main schools of thought at the time were the heresies of Paul and Arius. Paul claimed that Jesus was the som of God himself, and Aruis said he was a gifted prophet and teacher, but a man.
Also understand, the Jewish religion had been fractured by the events of Jesus' preaching, and this left Rome with a great opportunity to gain power and momentum by utilising the faith of the people. Turns out if was a pretty good move, as that authority lasts even to today.
For this discussion, I would sincerely like to hear what insights based on facts people would like to offer on this topic. While I appreciate that many people have faith, and that is surely their right, I would prefer to hear some thoughts based on facts rather than feelings.
More pertinent reading:
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: First Council of Nicaea
For the purpose of this discussion, let's assume that Jesus was in fact a man who lived and preached, whatever else may or may not be true about his deity.
From wikipedia:
The First Council of Nicaea, held in Nicea in Bithynia (in present-day Turkey), convoked by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in 325, was the first ecumenical[1] conference of bishops of the Christian Church, and most significantly resulted in the first uniform Christian doctrine, called the Nicene Creed. With the creation of the creed, a precedent was established for subsequent 'general (ecumenical) councils of Bishops' (Synods) to create statements of belief and canons of doctrinal orthodoxy the intent being to define unity of beliefs for the whole of Christendom.
The purpose of the council was to resolve disagreements in the Church of Alexandria over the nature of Jesus in relationship to the Father; in particular, whether Jesus was of the same substance as God the Father or merely of similar substance. St. Alexander of Alexandria and Athanasius took the first position; the popular presbyter Arius, from whom the term Arian controversy comes, took the second. The council decided against the Arians overwhelmingly (of the estimated 250-318 attendees, all but 2 voted against Arius). Another result of the council was an agreement on the date of the Christian Passover (Pascha in Greek; Easter in modern English), the most important feast of the ecclesiastical calendar. The council decided in favour of celebrating the resurrection on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, independently of the Bible's Hebrew Calendar (see also Quartodecimanism), and authorized the Bishop of Alexandria (presumably using the Alexandrian calendar) to announce annually the exact date to his fellow bishops.
The Council of Nicaea was historically significant because it was the first effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom.[2] "It was the first occasion for the development of technical Christology."[2] Further, "Constantine in convoking and presiding over the council signaled a measure of imperial control over the church."[2] With the creation of the Nicene Creed, a precedent was established for subsequent general councils to create a statement of belief and canons which were intended to become guidelines for doctrinal orthodoxy and a source of unity for the whole of Christendom a momentous event in the history of the Church and subsequent history of Europe.
So, some three centuries after his death, this council was convened by the Roman emperor to unify the Church. Please bear in mind that there was no such thing as separation of church and state- the reiligion WAS the law of the land, and has been in most civilisations throughout history.
The two main schools of thought at the time were the heresies of Paul and Arius. Paul claimed that Jesus was the som of God himself, and Aruis said he was a gifted prophet and teacher, but a man.
Also understand, the Jewish religion had been fractured by the events of Jesus' preaching, and this left Rome with a great opportunity to gain power and momentum by utilising the faith of the people. Turns out if was a pretty good move, as that authority lasts even to today.
For this discussion, I would sincerely like to hear what insights based on facts people would like to offer on this topic. While I appreciate that many people have faith, and that is surely their right, I would prefer to hear some thoughts based on facts rather than feelings.
More pertinent reading:
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: First Council of Nicaea