Christianity Never had an Emperor Cult

For much of human history, religion achieved prominence through the support of the prince, emperor, or state. It helped elevate the importance of religion further if the emperor himself were divine. Christianity never had an emperor cult, but between Constantine’s rule in the 300s and the revolutions of the late 18th century, churches held a prominent rank in their societies largely thanks to civil government’s patronage. Religion was honored in the public square—and incorporated into politics.

The loss of religion’s formerly privileged place has led believers to confront a difficult choice. Now that we can no longer count on the state to promote and subsidize religion, we either need to convince government to take it seriously once more and act again as its patron, or we must find a new way, free from the state’s blessing, to understand the significance of faith.