Did the Catholic Church start when Constantine...

[John81]

Constantine was not the founder of Catholicism' date=' but was one link in its rise. There was no Pope until nearly 300 years after Constantine, then we can say the RCC started.[/quote']

That's where the split between the RCC and Orthodox occured. Both argue they are the "one true church" that's traces directly back to the Apostles.

[robycop3]

Please read the thread in this forum, "The roamin Calf-Lick retro-History" to see a brief description of how the RCC tried to fill in the gaps in their history between the time of Christ & that of Constantine. Took lotsa imagination!

[Wilchbla]

Hi everyone. Did the Catholic Church start when Constantine legalized Christianity? Is that why there are so many pagan doctrines in the Catholic Church today? What do you say? :puzzled:

First question.

Yes. He was also the first one to declare war on other Christians too.

Second question.

They accumlated them over the years to go along with whatever belief was popular amongst the people at that time. Also, whenever they subjugated a tribe, nation, family, etc. by force it was easier just to rename their gods then to demand repentance in putting away of idols.

[Wilchbla]

Constantine was not the founder of Catholicism' date=' but was one link in its rise. There was no Pope until nearly 300 years after Constantine, then we can say the RCC started.[/quote']

There was a Bishop of Rome before Constantine but PAPAL ROME began under the authority of Constantine.

[Wilchbla]

It was the Donatists whom Constantine declared war on. Mostly because they believed that the bishops that betrayed the church under the persecutions of Diocletian, turned the saints over to the civil authorites, sacrifice to pagan gods, etc. should not be allowed back into the church as bishops.

[1Timothy115]

Too late now but, it may be a good topic for another thread. I have a personal study on just one of the dogmas of the Roman Church.

By the way, they are in no way "catholic."

[robycop3]

Wilchbla:

They accumlated them over the years to go along with whatever belief was popular amongst the people at that time. Also, whenever they subjugated a tribe, nation, family, etc. by force it was easier just to rename their gods then to demand repentance in putting away of idols.

A very good answer! Among the doctrines invented by the RCC at that time was that of Easter as we know it. Connie's missionary/envoys wove the story of Christ's resurrection into the Germanic tribes' spring rite called Ostern or Ostara, a rite complete with egg-laying bunnies, hot-cross buns, new headgear for the women, new suits for the men, & treats for the kiddies. Among those tribes were the Angles & saxons, who carried the hybrid rite with them as they invaded the British Isles. Over the years, it became Easter as we know it.

Now, I'm NOT saying Easter in & of itself is evil; NOTHING could be evil about celebrating the resurrection of Christ, the very foundation of our faith, but I believe it's important for people to know where Easter came from so they can observe it or not observe it according to the dictates of their consciences.