[Antoninus]

But they didn’t care if you also worshiped the local gods. Not even an issue.

Therein lies the problem. Christians considered it apostasy if a so-called Christian offered a sacrifice to the pagan gods, even under threat of death. They called such individuals "traditores". There was an entire heresy devoted to not allowing traditores back into the Church after the persecutions ended called Donatism.

[RedStateRocker]

What someone else considers apostasy is different from saying ‘they killed them for being Christians’. I mean I don’t care what someone believes, but if they need to break the laws society considers vital to maintaining order they can’t really claim ‘persecution’.

I don’t care if someone’s religion REQUIRES them to stop in the street and pray towards Mecca, if they get run over that’s their problem.