[wmfights]

The state religion of the Roman Empire was NEVER Roman Catholicism. As a matter of fact, the Empire tended towards accepting a "broad diversity" of beliefs which included heresies.

Let's take a jaunt down memory lane. ;-)

While I think you can make the case that Roman Catholicism became the de facto state religion with Constantine opening the council of Nicea, (determining who could attend and paying to have them there) the moment I believe that Roman Catholicism became the state religion was when Ambrose excommunicated Theodosius for conducting reprisals against the citizens of Thessalonica, who had murdered a barbarian army commander. Theodosius was only readmitted after doing public pennance. It was after this that the legal code began to be used to eliminate the role of the pagans.

Ambrose is an interesting study because so much happened during the time he was Bishop of Milan (373-97). He came from the ruling class and was transformed from being a layman, not baptized, into a bishop within 8 days. He is also the bishop that baptized Augustine

[kawaii]

While I think you can make the case that Roman Catholicism became the de facto state religion with Constantine opening the council of Nicea, (determining who could attend and paying to have them there)

Considering as paganism was alive and well (and still had an alter in the senate), Constantine had yet to be baptised, and that the only 'determining' constantine did was to invite the heads of all churches (and as many clergy and laity as they sought fit to attend) and offer to help as many as could attend do so, your case is weak.

[Kolokotronis]

"While I think you can make the case that Roman Catholicism became the de facto state religion with Constantine opening the council of Nicea, (determining who could attend and paying to have them there) the moment I believe that Roman Catholicism became the state religion was when Ambrose excommunicated Theodosius for conducting reprisals against the citizens of Thessalonica, who had murdered a barbarian army commander. Theodosius was only readmitted after doing public pennance. It was after this that the legal code began to be used to eliminate the role of the pagans."

The Roman Catholic Church didn't exist then. The Church of Rome did, as did various other dioceses and Patriarchates. The fullness of The Church was found in each of those dioceses. The concept of a "state church" didn't exist then either, as Kawaii pointed out. Your Western Protestant skirts are showing, WF! :)