Speed Bump by Dave Coverly for March 22, 2015

NPM; National Public Maulings

Funnier that we know. Christians were “persecuted” for tax evasion, as they did not make their contributions to the gods as required by Roman laws. Death and taxes.

For only LXXV you get all the DVDs and a free mug…

This one’s getting printed to go on the fridge.

After this brief pitch for money… My money’s on Leo.

Jeff H, BrassOrchid was talking about why the Romans persecuted the Christians 2000 years ago!

After the show is over, could you say “The lions are eating up all the prophets?”(This really is a quote. I saw it once as graffiti on a fence at college)

Re: the tax question. Here’s a Wikipedia article. Okay, it’s Wikipedia but it’s detailed. The Roman persecution was erratic and based more on the perception that Christians were weird, secretive, not good citizens and probably practiced awful stuff like cannibalism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Christian_policies_in_the_Roman_Empire

Try reading “The Myth of Persecution: How Early Christians Invented a Story of Martyrdom” by Candida Moss. The author (she is a Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity on the theology faculty of the University of Notre Dame) analyzed the period from the crucifixion to Christianity becoming the religion of the state. Found there was only about 30 years of persecution, and gives the reasons for it.

And then there’s the witch hunts in Mass. There are probably more witches now than in Boston, etc.

Up Next. Jackie Mason!

Yes! Free Pastor Saeed! Amen!!