Then what is the point of Christian martyrdom? Were the Christians who faced the Roman lions just stupid? Should they have crossed their fingers and denied Christ?
I was unaware the Christians were given an option. If you renounced the faith and continued to live as a Christian, I doubt the Roman government would be fooled.
I would hazard a guess that Christians renounce Christ constantly with the behavior. That's a lot worse than doing it with your lips when a gun is pointed at your head.