quote:
You're a religion in 1st century Rome that is losing membership to the rising faith, Christianity that does not condone the purchase of idols. Your congragation in deminishing and idol sales are dwindling because of this religion. How do you regain your following ? You change your myths and beliefs to those that mimic a successfull one.
Actually, what you do is simply point out that their myths are obvious rip-offs of your own (and those of various other religions, already thousands of years old). Sadly, you do so unsuccessfully, because after a couple hundred years the new cult becomes the officially sanctioned "true faith" while yours is persecuted. The emperor does this not because he has found Jesus but because Christianity, as a composite belief system incorporating elements of so many others, is the ideal one under which to forcefully consolidate believers.
Do your homework, man. These things are really not difficult to learn.
™ Version 4.2