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Christianity has been accused of being misogynistic, pro-slavery, and anti-science, and some say it is finally beginning its long decline. This book provides an entirely different side to the stories about this faith. Why did Christianity become the largest religion in the world? Is it because it was misogynistic, pro-slavery, anti-science, and set on condemning those who didn''t join it? This book investigates many of the misconceptions about Christianity and argues that there are good reasons this faith has become the world''s largest.The book includes chapters on various misconceptions related to the history of Christianity, such as the beliefs that Jesus was a meek and mild carpenter, the Roman emperor Constantine was insincere in his Christian faith, medieval Europe was devoutly Christian, and Christianity was anti-science. Each chapter explores how the historical misconception developed and spread, and offers what we now believe to be the historical truth contradicting the fiction. Excerpts from primary source documents provide evidence for the historical misconceptions and truths and help readers to respond critically to claims about Christian history.>
List of contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Did Jesus Christ Even Exist?
1. Jesus Was a Meek and Mild Carpenter
2. Early Christians Were Poor and Marginalized People
3. Early Christianity Was Bigoted toward Women
4. Constantine Was Insincere in His Christian Faith
5. Medieval Europe Was a Profoundly Christian Society
6. The Crusades Were a Series of Brutal, Unprovoked Attacks
7. Christianity Is Anti-Science
8. The United States Is Abandoning Christianity
9. Christianity Is Currently in Decline
Bibliography
Index
