Strayer 5: Big Picture Questions, #3

Religion is a double-edged sword, both supporting and undermining political authority and social elites.
How would you support both sides of this statement?

Religion is a double-edged sword, both supporting and undermining political authority and social elites. In answering this question students must consider the issue of what is and what is not a religion. Legalist and Confucian ideas along with Greek rationalism should be placed to one side, although students could note that (like religions) philosophies can both support and threaten political authorities and social elites. Both Legalist and Confucian traditions are largely supportive of political authorities and social elites, while Greek rationalism, as seen in Socrates death, could threaten the political and social elites.

Religion is a double-edged sword, both supporting and undermining political authority and social elites.
In support of political and social authority, students could readily point to individual instances where new and popular religions were adopted by elites.

Ashokas conversion to Buddhism in Mauryan India provides one example, the support of the Achaemenid dynasty for Zoroastrianism another. Finally, the adoption of Christianity by Constantine and the ultimate reinforcement of patriarchy by the Christian church speak to the political and social support that a new religion could provide to established power structures.

In Hoc Signo Vinces: By this sign you will conquer. Click here to see the video documentary
The Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between the Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius on 28 October 312. Constantine won the battle and started on the path that led him to end the Tetrarchy and become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. Maxentius drowned in the Tiber during the battle. According to chroniclers such as Eusebius of Caesarea and Lactantius, the battle marked the beginning of Constantine's conversion to Christianity. Lactantius recounts that Constantine and his soldiers had a vision that God promised victory if they daubed the sign of the cross on their shields. The Arch of Constantine, erected in celebration of the victory, certainly attributes Constantine's success to divine intervention; however, the monument does not display any overtly Christian symbolism.

The Chi Rho is one of the earliest forms of christogram, and is used by Christians. It is formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters chi and rho () of the Greek word "" =Christ in such a way to produce the monogram . Although not technically a cross, the Chi Rho invokes the crucifixion of Jesus as well as symbolizing his status as the Christ.

Religion is a double-edged sword, both supporting and undermining political authority and social elites.

More generally, the tendency of several religions to focus the believers attention away from action in this world also served to support political authority and social elites. This was true of Daoism in China, Buddhism in India, and Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Religion is a double-edged sword, both supporting and undermining political authority and social elites.

However, if followed, the teachings of many religions put real constraints on political and social authorities. For instance, Ashokas adoption of Buddhism limited the scope for his legitimate use of violence.

Religion is a double-edged sword, both supporting and undermining political authority and social elites.

Dictates about the treatment of the poor and the equality of all believers in the Christian faith brought into question the social norms of Roman society.

Religion is a double-edged sword, both supporting and undermining political authority and social elites.

Religious leaders could prove subversive to the current system, as the execution of Jesus by the Roman authorities indicates. Also, the teachings of a faith could potentially challenge established authorities.

Religion is a double-edged sword, both supporting and undermining political authority and social elites.

For instance, the strict monotheism practiced by early Christians effectively precluded the worship of Roman gods, which traditionally was seen as a sign of obedience and loyalty to the Roman Empire.