[george wythe]

There were Christians claiming that God was on their side on both the loyalist and the revolutionary American movements.

There were Christians claiming that God was on their side on both the abolitionist and the anti-abolitionist American movements.

There were Christians claiming that God was on their side on both the segregationist and the anti-segregationist American movements.

The Bible is very clear. Christians must obey the secular authorities, even if the secular authorities are anti-Christian, anti-God, corrupt and wicked. Read Romans 13.

Was the Roman Empire in the First Century more tolerant of Christianity than America in the Twenty-First Century?

[rwfromkansas]

Actually, the Bible is clear that in most cases we are to obey civil authorities. But, not in cases when it would violate our duty as Christians.

[rwfromkansas]

You are taking Romans 13 and making it your entire argument.

Christ himself was silent on at least one occassion I can think of when civil authorities demanded him to answer them.

The early Christians DID NOT OBEY THE CIVIL AUTHORITY, but refused to worship the govt. and thus were killed.