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Yes. Mithraism was a strong competitor to Christianity in the first two centuries, but had a fatal weakness, whatever its theological truth. Mithraism only accepted men as full members, whereas Christianity actively sought out women as converts, knowing that if the wives converted to Christianity, men would often follow.

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Q: Was Mithraism a major competitor with Christianity?
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Was the spread of Christianity unique or a part of a wider trend?

A:The spread of Christianity was part of a wider trend. It occurred at a time when the people of the Roman Empire were beginning to look for new faiths, just as the mystery religions were arising and when Mithraism evolved in the Roman Empire. Some have even suggested that Christianity could have begun as a mystery cult, evolving into the worship of Jesus of Nazareth. The strongest competitor to Christianity to have developed at this time was Mithraism. However, the great weakness of Mithraism was that it effectively excluded women, whereas early Christianity made efforts to convert wives, daughters and mistresses, knowing that the menfolk would follow. In any case, the fourth-century Christian emperors eliminated all faiths other than Christianity, by force when necessary.


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Christianity, like its competitor cults Mithraism, Isis, Judaism etc, not only promised an after-life, but came to where the people were, rather than the cults which previously required attendance at cult centres in Greece and the Middle Easy, which most people could not afford. It also provided for women.


What new religion appear in the roman empire in the first century AD?

The two main ones were Mithraism and Christianity.


Was the spread of Christianity unique or part of a wider trend?

A:Just as the Axial Age had seen the rise of several new religions and philosophies, some centuries earlier, so the period in which Christianity arose was a time of new religious thought, if not as momentous as the Axial Age. Mithraism arose during the first century BCE and for a time was a serious competitor to Christianity. Mithraism's great weakness was that it ignored women, whereas Christianity sought their support, knowing the influence they would have on their husbands and children. New pagan cults arose, as Greek worshippers became influenced by the ancient Egyptian gods.This was also a time when 'mystery religions' flourished. The important place that Gnosticism occupied in early Christianity has led some to speculate that Christianity actually began as a mystery religion, long before it adopted the gospel story of Jesus.


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AnswerOver time, quite a few religions challenged the authority of Christianity. In pagan times, the new Roman religion called Mithraism became a real threat to the growth of Christianity. However, Mithraism began to go into decline, replaced by worship of Sol Invictus, and then Emperor Constantine gave Christianity state patronage, ensuring its eventual success.In later centuries, Islam also challenged Christianity, replacing it as the dominant religion in north Africa and the Middle East.


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