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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Le premier christianisme, une religion de marginaux ?

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Christian Stein : Christianity in the Beginning : a Religion of Marginals ? Until the third century, Christians can be seen as marginals. Conversion meant severing many social links. More seriously, the Christians’ refusal to participate in sacri ces and festivals made them appear as bad citizens or, even worse, as traitors to men and gods. But not everyone was seduced the same way by Christianity. Several factors did or did not induce the choice of conversion : individual level of religious freedom, fear of scandal, and the fear of the legal response of the authorities. Ultimately, it can be noted that some parts of society were more likely to join Christianity than others : mainly women, slaves, migrants, people of lower income. is is consistent with what can be found in ancient texts.