[Gondring]

On the other hand, if every early Christian who's life was in danger for their beliefs (which was all until the roman empire accepted Christianity) had gone to their deaths instead of staying hidden, praying in private, not outwardly expressing their belief etc - we wouldn't be here today praising Jesus.

Uh, actually, MANY early Christians DID go to their deaths for their beliefs rather than hide. Likely if they hadn't done THAT, the beliefs wouldn't have survived, as their martyrdom left quite an impression on others.

In fact, many early Christians TRIED to get themselves killed, to be with their Lord rather than jealously cling to this world. It's my understanding that to this day, you can see the carvings where early Christians jumped from cliffs.

(Of course, after several centuries of this original state of affairs, it WAS difficult to "keep the pews (and church coffers) full," so they banned suicide*...but it's important to remember that this ban went against the early church practice....Remember the saints who'd committed suicide....a relevant example would be St. Pelagia of Antioch, who killed herself to evade being captured by soldiers....or Vibia Pertpetua, who refused to recant her faith even while facing death in the arena.)

*Also relevant is the context of this ban....it was done against the wish of church conservatives, who were opposed to collaborator Bishops being allowed to continue to give communion, etc. (Council of Braga, c. 561).

[Brytani]

Uh, actually, MANY early Christians DID go to their deaths for their beliefs rather than hide. Likely if they hadn't done THAT, the beliefs wouldn't have survived, as their martyrdom left quite an impression on others.

No kidding, and every Sunday when I attend Mass I give them honor in the Creed I state. I've never denied that many gave their lives for their beliefs. However, not all Christians have been or were called to Martyr themselves for Jesus or for the cause.

That does not change the facts of what I said. If all early Christians who's lives were in jeopardy had willingly given up that life for their beliefs, we would not be here now.

Considering for hundreds of years being a Christian was an instant death sentence, you can easily say more people did not die for their beliefs. God used them in other ways, to spread the word of Jesus throughout the world and for future generations.