[ET(end tyranny)]

The Jews and Christians were a problem for the pagan Roman Empire because they would not give even token worship to the Roman gods. The Romans, being good polytheists, didn't care what gods you worshipped at home or in your own community. But the Roman gods were part and parcel of the unifying factor for their entire world.

So, the best option was to assimilate as many of the pagan practices into christianity as they could and tell the pagans it was the same religion?

You might be able to fool the pagans, but ya can't fool YHWH. ;)

[SoothingDave]

So, the best option was to assimilate as many of the pagan practices into christianity as they could and tell the pagans it was the same religion?

The best option is to accept what is not immoral in a culture and work with it, including using similarities in their existing beliefs as a catechetical tool.

One always begins teaching one about God by starting where the person is and working your way to the truth. But I don't expect you to understand this subtlety.

SD