"Is China the New Roman Empire?"

[Viggen]

"Is China the New Roman Empire?" is one thought-provoking question Dr. Fenggang Yang, director of Purdue University's Center on Religion and Chinese Society, is scheduled to address Tuesday (Jan. 26) during a presentation at Western Michigan University. "In many ways, this looks like a historical replay of Christianity in the Roman Empire in the fourth century, when centuries-long persecutions were ended by the Edict of Milan in 313 AD," said Yang, noting that the Edict of Thessalonica in 380 AD made Nicene Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire. - See more at: http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/61678/20160126/chinas-rise-of-christianity-explored-by-purdue-university-sociologist-at-western-michigan-university.htm#sthash.Gjo62HjR.dpuf

[caldrail]

No, it isn't the same. Rome brought christianity together and adopted it as a cultural aspect. China is being colionised by the modern christianity which although not really any more united than in Roman times (Arguably less so) certainly sees China as virgin territory to exploit.

[caesar novus]

In 15 years, China is projected to have the most practicing Christians of any country. Much of the world growth is Protestant, and I think has an economic component. Besides core religious issues like the meaning of suffering, death, etc... I think Catholicism is seen in 3rd (and 2nd?) world countries as economically non-striving, mildly socialist, safety net kind of stoicism. Protestantism is more associated with economic self betterment thru entrepreneurial risk taking and networking. They see the developed countries as having achieved success thru the latter, although ending in secularism. Actually there were intermediate stages with secular betterment clubs like freemasons, rotarians, etc. So maybe the Protestant surge is a stage toward secularization!

 

Edited February 6, 2016 by caesar novus