Christianity blossomed in Rome. After being put down by people like Nero, Christianity was accepted following Emperor Constantine.. This caused people to start considering religion. Suddenly it was common to find Pagans and Christians and Jews and even atheists all in the same one large group of people.
Why do people consider religion? Well that is a psychological question that Plato tried to answer long before Christianity existed. Plato argues that concept is outside of our reality. The concept of a dog would be unaffected if the world exploded, even if a dog didn’t exist, the concept of a dog would remain sound. This is one of many brilliant concepts Plato brought to peoples’ attention that he argued proves a God must be out there, however it can’t be the gods in his time and culture, the Greek gods.
Everyone has a God. Not many actually say that, it is phrased differently as not many in today's culture would say that they have a God. Everyone has an overarching narrative impacting their life that they must insert themselves into. Those with religion consider this the mind of God. Many with and without religion would also call this their “map” the way one views the world is their map. People orient themselves by always having an ultimate of all ultimates at the top of this narrative hierarchy. Those with religion have their God or gods, but even things like woke culture are somewhat a religion. If you do not completely believe in their beliefs, you are an outcast. Everyone has to fit into their structure religiously for their reality to function. When there is a mismatch between the map and reality it is uncomfortable, so you tweak your map. This is how people grow to learn.
Everyone needs this ultimate of all ultimates which is why people take to religion, and alter their own religions. Christians in Rome believed in the Christian God, and argued that Plato’s concept had an answer, the concept outside our reality is the mind of God.
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