The early Christian Communities elected their leaders from among themselves. Men of quality ,called Presbyterians and later on Bishops, served their fellow members without demanding special status. Their job was to keep order and do their duties by being examples of good Christians. The communities of the first Christians were small groups of people, guided by the Apostles. These Apostles, while they directed the spiritual way of these groups, did NOT demand special rights. They were foremost the servants of their community. Apostle Peter specifically reminded the leaders to be examples to their fellow Christians and they should not be dominating over their fellow members. The Presbyterian (Elders) were paid for their services by voluntary gifts. The religious meetings were held without any ceremonies.
WE CAME A LONG WAY SINCE THEN. 1700 YEARS OF POWER-HUNGRY CATHOLIC AUTHORITIES IN ROME AND ELSEWHERE SUCKING THE LAST NICKEL OUT OF THE GULLIBLE FOLLOWERS, mostly the POOR.
The congregations met in whatever facilities were available. The meetings were used for exchange of ideas, letters were read from the Apostles who were in other parts of the country or passages were discussed from the holy books of the Jews. Early Christianity was communal , believers had all things in common. Decisions were democratic and the will of the majority. THERE WAS NO CLERGY. As a rule the Elder or chairperson conducted the organization of the gathering. Members spoke as the spirit moved them. The churches were at first autonomous; the only bond linking them was fellowship.It was considered to elect the wisest among themselves to speak, direct and to explain items pertaining to their religious believes. This did not last very long. As the church grew, democracy seemed to be inefficient. Democracy yielded to republicanism, then to autocracy and at last to monarchy.
Soon these people who lectured were called "BISHOPS". The BISHOPS soon demanded a higher rank and had their chairs raised from the floor above the chairs of the rank and file. The CHRISTIANS living in the country side were usually affiliated with the city communities. However, as time went by and the number of members grew, they applied with the city chapter of the CHRISTIANS to have a representative sent to their country community. The BISHOP was in the City and therefore send a lower rank as his representative to the countryside. The BISHOP in the country had at first the same status as the City BISHOP, however, soon the BISHOP in the country was made to depend on the BISHOP in the City for guidance. In the first half of the second Century the cornerstone of the religious aristocracy was erected.
The BISHOPS in the cities got more ambitious and soon knew how to get more power over their members. At the beginning of the third century was the power of these BISHOPS already so far advanced, they no longer were the servants of the people but rather acted like dictators. As time went by they convinced the rank and file members that they were not elected by the congregation but rather were sent by GOD!.
They maintained that they are not the servants of the people but rather are the servants of GOD. This attitude gave them a preference and advantage over the church members. This was not acceptable to all people of the church community. They questioned the arrogant behavior of these BISHOPS. In order to shut up those who did not go along with this kind of behavior, the BISHOPS decided that other methods had to be added. Over time the BISHOPS, their helpers (deacons) and preachers took it on themselves to implement dictatorial powers. In regard to the religious doctrines and the "alleged" sayings of JESUS the BISHOPS were trying to be the authority of what was to be correct. There were constant disagreements within certain fractions of the early CHRISTIANS and it was thought to be advantages to have a court of arbitration. The local congregations send representatives to the assembly points, which were of course the BISHOPS. Because of this event, there were only BISHOPS at the convention and they were able to make the laws as they saw fit.
It was already tradition to call on God to be present and inspire the Members of the synod. The BISHOPS were successful in convincing the ordinary church members, that GOD was the head of the meeting and that all decisions made at that meeting were guided and approved by GOD. The arrogance of these BISHOPS grew constantly and as the saying goes "The wooden goblets changed into Gold and the golden BISHOPS into Wood. As Emperor KONSTANTIN made CHRISTIANITY the religion of the State, the early CHRISTIAN status changed tremendously. The EMPEROR, and others following him, considered himself the head of the CHRISTIAN religious movement. For the time being the Emperor was the highest authority over the CHRISTIAN religious groups. He not only had the power , he also had the wealth. The Clergy and the BISHOPS tried to outdo each other in the lowest form of flattery toward the Emperor. This was the turning point of the poverty of the fledgling CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Emperor CONSTANTIN incorporated a law which gave part of the state's income to the Clergy. Furthermore, he decreed that the BISHOPS and the rest of the clergy was entitled to receive monetary and other presents which were left to them. This in particular involved "last wills and testaments." Now the greediness of the BISHOPS and their immediate clergy under them, grew without bounds and checks.
Within ten years, no one dared to die without giving the clergy at least part of their earthly possessions. The BISHOPS and their underlings did pursue this new way of revenue with vigor and without shame. They unscrupulously went after the money of everyone. The preached a kind of religion which was far removed from what JESUS taught. They based their faith more into financial matters than into theology.. Before long the Government clamped down on this impudent behavior. The Emperors GRATIAN (382 A.D.) and VALENTINIAN III. (425-454 A.D.) put a stop to this by decrees , inhibiting the clergy from extensive claims to inheritances.
"I do not so much regret the Emperor's degree but rather the necessity which was caused by MY brothers.
Emperor JULIANUS (362 A.D.), who was a very intelligent and just person, distant himself and his government from the CHRISTIAN Religion. He was fully aware of the philosophy of the CHRISTIAN BISHOPS and Clergy. He knew that the true teachings of Jesus were long forgotten. Because he put a stop to this "Unchristian behavior" he was given the nickname "APOSTATA." The fantasy of the various heads of church had no end to it. Each one had his own variation of evangelism . At the synod of NIZAA (335 A.D.) There were approx. fifty different versions of gospels and it was mainly because of the ridicule by the pagans that they decided on a more streamlined version of the New Testament. To understand the circumstances during that time, the weirdest and most ridiculous stories were told and repeated to others. One was worse than the next. So it was no co-incidence that the none-believers, the pagans, who were not affected by this fever, were making fun of these mentally warped people who called themselves "CHRISTIANS".
Emperor JULIANUS tried to suppress the CHRISTIAN movement, but was not successful. He did not actually cause them any physical harm, but he was convinced that this religious movement was out of line with reasonable thinking. The EMPEROR'S favorite philosopher - LIBANIUS - asked one of the foremost CHRISTIAN preachers " How is the Carpenter's son ?." He got the answer, "making a casket for your student" (Emperor JULIANUS). Shortly after, the Emperor died. With JULIANUS died the last Pagan Emperor of the ROMAN Empire.
It can be said that religion(s) should be equated with the worst epidemics. All of Europe has been torn apart for hundreds of years. Millions lost their lives for and/or against religious fanaticism. That does not take into account the constant warfare into foreign lands in order to force this religion unto others, who had no wish to be part of it. The idea that martyr is the highest reward a CHRISTIAN could hope for, was in the eyes of the rest of the world incredible stupid. However, the dedication of some of these twisted CHRISTIANS went so far as to actually invite torture and death under the most unbelievable conditions. During the reign of the emperors DIOKLETIAN and DECIUS , the number of CHRISTIANS who wanted to be killed increased constantly.
The pagans who surely did not think that a religious believe was a worth while reason to die, never-the-less admired these fanatics for their conviction. This wish to die for the religious cause took on such a proportions that "Zeno" the BISHOP of VERONA (360 A.D.) disapproved of it. He publicly said " The greatest fame of the CHRISTIAN virtue is to kick Nature with their feet." I would suggest that the reader check the religious developments during the fourth and fifth century. Thousands of these holy nuts went to the North African desert to follow Jesus' fourteen day pilgrimage . Jesus was supposed to have spend 14 days in the desert - he never said why - that gave many the reason to improve on that. The deserts of Syria and Egypt were overrun by CHRISTIANS who wanted to proof that they could endure any kind of physical agony and/or mental torment. Some had their bodies buried in the hot sand, others refused to eat, drink etc. Everyone showed some kind of a misery and many were experiencing the most excruciating pain of self inflicted nature. Some were standing on poles, others living in caves hoping for an early death to enter the promised heaven. The epidemic of thousands and thousands of people torturing themselves went to such proportions that this new religion "CHRISTIANITY" was mocked, laughed at and scorned by the rest of the world.
The desert of Egypt was so overrun by these holy perverts that they had to build monasteries which accommodated thousands. The holy man, ST. PACHOMIUS, was the instigator of these monasteries and convents. During the fourth century, it was estimated that at least 100,000 inhabited these dwellings. But this was not only in the desert the case, in the city of Oxyrhinchus were more monasteries than regular houses. This illness was by no means restricted to the orient. Very soon it came to be a sickness in EUROPE as well. This was very much encouraged by the then BISHOP of MILANO and the holy man ST.HIERONYMUS. Soon monasteries and convents sprung up all over the continent. The "holy MARTIN" was the first who instigated the first Monasteries in France. He was born in 316 in PANONIEN and was a soldier by trade. He left his army and pursued the life of a holy man. He worked so hard in this environment that he soon became BISHOP of TOURS. He was not a very modest person, he expected the Emperor VALENTINIAN to kneel before him, which of course he would not do. This one incident alone (which is not an isolated case) is a sample of the arrogance of the clergy. Rulers all over Europe had eventually to bow to these perverts. Some who choose not to do so, found themselves in great problems.
Who and what are these Holy people ?. I am not going into details, but just check the many holy names these various branches of CHRISTIANITY have as idols.
Among the many, ST.BENEDICT is the father of the many Benedictian monks.One of the monasteries he created was the famous "MONTE CASINO" (northeast of Naples, Italy).The famous holy man ST. BONIFACIUS was the first to bring the convents and monasteries to GERMANY.He did not live too long, he was put to death with another three hundred and fifty of his perverts on June 5. 759 in FRIESLAND (northeast Holland). If more would have followed this example the world would have saved itself from a lot of unnecessary problems.
The BISHOP of PRAQUE , ST. ADALBERT , was a relative decent guy, unfortunately he did not have much of a brain. He was a real CHRISTIAN, his humility was unsurpassed. He cleaned and polished the boots of the nobility. He must have had an early death wish, he walked through the then "PRUSSIA" which was pagan country. At first the people figured him as a nut, then he aggravated the situation by making fun of their pagan symbols. They killed him without delay. Take the holy man BERNHARD who was the son of a blue blood family from the BURGUNDY. He was born near by DIJON in the year 1091. He was only happy when he ate the worst kind of garbage, he tortured his body in the most horrifying way. He was considered later on by "MARTIN LUTHER" (LUTHER could never shake his CATHOLIC past!) the holiest of all holy people. He was not just extremely sanctimonious but was also very intelligent. He got to be a very important religious person and could have been BISHOP, even POPE, but he was satisfied to be an ombudsman between the fighting Popes and Emperors. He wielded such power that even the most powerful king, emperor or even a pope would not dare to enter his monastery in Citeaux unless humbly walking in on foot. He was the underwriter of the second crusade, which resulted in the loss of seven million innocent people. All in the name of CHRISTIANITY. He had a confederate in the holy man "BERNHARD" who's obstinate behavior overcame any obstacle in his way.
For instance, he convinced Emperor KONRAD III in SPEYER (GERMANY) to take off his coat and make him carry him on his shoulders. His Salesmanship was such that he could talk anyone into anything, regardless how stupid it would be. There were hardly any men left in his district, he convinced everyone to follow the cross. He died in 1153. He is credited with the endowment of 160 monasteries. This is a very important holy man. His monks - about 500 during his life time had the highest standard of customs and conventions. This is one of these rare occasions where a religious brotherhood lived up to the teachings of CHRIST. These monks which increased in numbers to about 2,000 were examples of clean, honest living to friend and foe alike.
Soon, there were mendicant friars starting new religious orders. Their purpose was to have no earthly belongings. This idea came from the brain of the holy man "JOHANNES BERNARDONI, born in ASSISI in UMBRIEN. He later became known as the Holy man " FRANZ VON ASSISI ." Since he was not much good for anything, he joined the army. He took ill and woke up a "holy man". He was really a complete nut. He wandered around begging and kept generally bad company. The BISHOP of ASSISI took him under his wings and soon he had his life's purpose. He ran around collecting money for building a church. He collected so much that he felt compelled to start a new order of monks. It was called (german) Bettelorden. POPE HONORIUS considered him an Idiot. However, POPE INNOCENCE III. confirmed his order of monks, which he originally called an order of "pigs". His order grew fast and a few years later he already could count 5,000 "FRANCISCANS". This holy man offered his Pope 40,000 FRANCISCANS for the TURKISH war. During the plague in 1348 more than 6,000 FRANCISCANS died, though there was no shortness of these holy men.
Later on the Reformation (MARTIN LUTHER) ended many of the 7,000 monasteries and 900 convents. This holy man died in 1226. All the wonders he was supposed to have produced would fill a book.
The successor of this holy man was a monk by the name of "ELIAS" a cunning, sly patron saint. He understood how to interpret the rules of his predecessor in a way which was contrary to the former's ideas. In direct opposition to the above order was the new religious cult of another holy man by the name of DOMINIKUS GUZMAN , born in 1170. He was sent to France to oversee the persecution of the "VALDENSIANS". Peter Valdes, a merchant from Lyon, France, formed a Christian movement called the Waldenses, or the “Poor Men of Lyon.” He preached against the worldliness of the clergy and their horrible behaviour toward the general population.
The honest approach to Christianity of the Valdesians did not fit into the CATHOLIC doctrine. During his mission, Dominikus Guzman, got the idea to start another (new) order which was to be called "DOMINICANER". He received the blessings of the POPE and immediately started a war against anyone who did not believe in the teachings of CATHOLICISM. He wanted to combine his order with the order of the FRANCISCANS, however, the majority of the DOMINICANER were of higher learning and standard than the FRANCISCANS and therefore did not wish to be connected with the beggars. The order of DOMINICANER had already 4143 Monasteries in the year 1494. The world has to thank this ST. DOMONIC for all kinds of inventions. He graciously allowed the GOD fearing audience to change their position during praying They could now stand, then kneel, one could lie on the stomach or on the side or any position that the body could be made to. It is said that he prayed to hard that he was lifted several feet off the ground !!. He died in 1221 in BOLOGNA.
The dominance of this occupation was by no means limited to males. There were many female holy people. Just to name a few, one of the oldest known, is ST. AFRA. A very interesting story. Her mother was the owner of a Bordello in AUGSBURG, GERMANY and she was "working" there. By co-incidence the SPANISH BISHOP NARZISSUS visited this "house".He made many visits and then converted some of the girls to CHRISTIANIY and "AFRA" who got most of his "attention" was made a Holy person. The next one was the holy " THERESA " , SPANISH out of a blue blood family. She was born in 1515 and died in 1582. She was a real dilly. Even at an early age she wanted to go to AFRICA to die a death of martyr. I would encourage the reader to investigate into this holy person. She must have been a total nut. She was dedicated to be the head of her own convent. All the nuns of this convent had to go barefoot. The slightest lack of discipline brought on the toughest penalties. Her tyranny was unbelievable. At the same time we had another of these crazy holy girls. The holy CATHERINA of GENUA had also a screw or two loose. The holy PASSIDEA, a nun from SIENA was another example of idiotic behavior. She punished herself scourging her body with thorns. When she bled enough she washed her wounds with vinegar, adding salt and pepper. There was a holy KLARA , her sister AGNES also a holy NUN. If you read up on all the ones I have not noted, you will feel ill.
The early CHRISTIANS, during the first four centuries, never knew anything about worshipping their saints. As a matter of fact, the CHRISTIANS of that time did mock the Pagans for their many "GODS". Most of the emperors were considered GODS by the pagans. The first saints among the CHRISTIANS were mostly unknown people. No one would have thought to consider the mother of JESUS for sainthood. When the idea of elevating Maria to sainthood became more widespread, there was considerable resistance among the more educated, higher class of the clergy. The famous CHURCH father " TERULLIAN " went so far as to accuse her of heresy. He accused the mother of JESUS "not to have believed in her son".
The admiration for Maria began only in the FIFTH century. Soon she was elevated above all the Saints of previous times and was considered by many to be more holy than JESUS and GOD himself. The Priests told their flocks " If you do not admire Maria you will not be forgiven". The name "Mother of GOD" , which was accepted by the general CHRISTIAN population, produced tremendous annoyance by the leading clergy. The Church leader NESTORIUS considered it ridiculous and recommended instead "Mother Christi". The CHURCH synod of EPHESUS (449 A.D.) (original a city in Greece) reversed this recommendation and returned to "Mother of GOD". It was not very long and some suggested to venerate JESUS's Grandmother and other relatives to sainthood. POPE CLEMENS XI. stepped in and it would appear that without him these Catholics would have made all uncles and aunts into holy people.
MARIA was for a long time the center of many fights among the faithful. The worst disagreement was between the CHURCH and the scholars in regard to the alleged virgin birth of CHRIST. It was not so much the virgin birth of JESUS, but
made his decision to the Dogma of the CATHOLIC CHURCH. It was not just this item, but it was debated if MARIA was still a virgin after the birth of CHRIST. The saint ST.AMBROSIUS fought very hard for this idea. His saying was " JESUS said, I make everything new." He emphasized that since everything is possible with GOD, MARIA did not just conceive, but also gave birth to JESUS as a Virgin! ( Luke 1,37). How about that ?
A real "HOLY" POPE was BONIFACE VIII.,(1294-1303).He instigated the 100 year jubilee. He incorporated that from the ROMANS who celebrated the beginning of each century. This POPE did see this as a further possibility of increasing his income. Whoever came to ROME for this festivity had his or her sins forgiven. It did not matter what sins they were. Murderers and the like were absolved from their sins depending on their contribution toward the deep coffers of the POPES. In the year 1300 over 200,000 strangers entered the city of ROME. Contemporaries to that time estimated that the income for this POPE was about 15 Million. At that time an unbelievable ,stupendous amount of money. This unexpected high income increased the appetite of the POPE.
Since a hundred years was a long time to wait, Pope CLEMENT VI (1342-52) decreed that this celebration should be done every 50 years. POPE URBAN VI (1378-89) shortened the time to 33 years. POPE SIXTUS IV (1471-84) was even more business like, he commanded that the time span be shortened to every 25 years.
The second Jubilee year under POPE CLEMENT VI (1350) was even more successful in raking in the money. On the altar of ST. PAUL worked two priests in shifts day and night to take the money from those who wanted to have their sins forgiven. It is estimated that during that year more than 1 million visitors came to Rome. It is alleged that more than twenty two million were taken in by the POPE.
POPE BONIFACIUS IX (1389-1404) figured out that many CHRISTIANS were not able to travel to ROME. He therefore decreed that for 1/3 of the cost of travel to ROME, the sinners all over the known world could have their sins erased. However, the masses still came to ROME in ever increasing numbers. During the reign of POPE NIKOLAUS V.(1447-55) the bridge over the Tiber could not hold the people who wanted to bring their money to these monsters. POPES who were in office after this could not wait 25 years to have major earnings. They decided to send priests, monks etc. to every city, village in EUROPE to solicit money for the money hungry POPES. In some places they ran into problems as the local authorities needed the money for themselves. Since the POPES needed more and more money, POPE LEO X. (1513-21) was the most resourceful of them all, he sold the office of BISHOP to the highest bidder. Every BISHOP, and there were about 2,000 of them had to pay 12,000 Thaler to the PONTIUS in ROME. Lesser ranks of priests paid less.
One of the greatest wonders of the PAPAL empire was POPE JOHN XXII..(1316-34) He was the inventor of long lists of dispensations which were measured to the grade of sin the individual committed. He was most successful in collecting sixteen Million in hard cash and seventeen Million in Gold bars, which he had in his coffers at the time of his death.
Many years later POPE LEO X. (1513-21) had an even larger need for money. He had to look after HIS children, his relatives, Comedians, musicians and his love for the arts. The cost of all these extravagances exceeded the income of this POPE. He decreed that anyone who wanted to have his sins forgiven must invest in the war against the TURKS and for the noble cause of building ST. PETERS BASILICA. Since the tax for the war against the TURKS did not go over so big any more, he communicated to the world that the money collected would be used exclusively for the building of ST. PETERS CHURCH.
He was under pressure from the CARDINAL XIMENES , who as a SPANISH Minister forbade this scandalous money collection. Anyone could have his or her sins forgiven, regardless what they have been. Murder and any other crime could be forgiven for a price. The price for each category of sins was put in writing and distributed all over the lands. At the bottom of this papal communique it said:
"Those who do not have the monetary means can not expect to have their sins forgiven" This business was so good, that he franchised this organization to various high situated GOVERNMENT and Religious circles. As an example, the COUNT ALBRECHT OF BRANDENBURG, BISHOP of HALBERSTADT, ARCHBISHOP of MAGDEBURG, also ARCHBISHOPF of MAINZ and CARDINAL!", an HONORABLE? fellow, was deeply involved in these schemes. Hundreds of other high ranking rulers all over Europe did the dirty work of collecting money for this hoodlum. ( I am giving names to assure that the reader can check and read up).
I outlined so far only in very sketchy form the beginning of the power of the ROMAN CHRISTIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, in particular the BISHOPS, CARDINALS etc. From approx. The beginning of the fourth century on, the CHRISTAIN clergy's arrogance grew steadily to the point where they tried to undue the authority of the ruling GOVERNMENTS in the countries where they had many members. This arrogant behavior went to such proportions, that the BISHOPS demanded during the Synod of ANTIOCHIEN (341) that no clergy was permitted to contact the authorities of the land without permission of the BISHOP. There were so many disagreements as to the many different theological opinions that all over there were physical fights among the clergy, the monks and other fanatics. During 314 the ROMAN GENERAL VITALIANUS had to march his troops into KONSTANTINOPEL to keep the furious monks from attacking the citizens of this city. The synod of EPHESUS (449 AD) was called the "Murder assembly" as some of the monks wanted to have their principals accepted by using physical violence. One of the worst was BISHOP CYRILLUS of ALEXANDRIA. His hatred for the JEWS was so deep, he incited the monks and the lower intelligence mob to attack the JEWIS Population. He decreed that all their Synagogues were to be razed to the ground. 40,000 people lost their lives. This truly must have been a "GOOD CHRISTIAN ?!"
The power of these religious nuts, from the lowest clergy to the highest BISHOP did not respect the rights of the ordinary citizens. They did not even have the smallest respect for the GOVERNMENT authorities. The ROMAN Authorities were powerless against these parasites. The local Governor "ORESTES" wanted to stop this senseless destruction and the killing of all these innocent people, however, he almost lost his own life fighting these monsters. To show you what these "CHRISTIAN clergy" were capable of, I quote a documented occurrence . They did not hesitate to commit the most disgraceful cruelty toward those who did not agree with their warped ideas. Just to mention one of the many examples: The daughter of the Mathematician "THEON", HYPATIA was taken from her home , taken to a church and murdered there in the most cruelest way. I can not describe the method they used to kill this decent human being, it is beyond human comprehension. There was nothing these beasts would not do to satisfy their LUST (also) for power.
For over 300 years the priests practiced democratic equality among themselves. But as I have already mentioned before, some tried to accumulate extra power over their brothers. In all ranks of the monks, priests and BISHOPS the rivalry was incredible.
The BISHOPS of the cities thought themselves above the BISHOPS of the Country side. It did not take very long and the BISHOPS of the cities pulled rank over their bothers in the country. Those who found themselves above the others, called themselves PATRIARCHEN (over all other BISHOPS). At the time of Emperor THEODOSIS II there were five of such "SUPER BISHOPS". They were located in:
All of these were of the same rank and none of them considered the other of lesser position. ROME was the metropolitan of the worLd. This of course made it easier for the BISHOP OF ROME to declare that he was the head of the CHRISTIAN empire. The BISHOP of ROME decreed that he was the rightful successor to JESUS. He said: "JESUS made PETER the head of the apostles". He also made the statement: " PETER was BISHOP in ROME for 24 years, 5 months and 10 days". I am the successor of PETER and I demand that all BISHOPS and all Princes recognize me as "Head of State".
First of all JESUS NEVER selected PETER or singled him out as a special person. Secondly PETER was NEVER in ROME and certainly not a BISHOP in that city.
It is no wonder that the CATHOLIC CHURCH discourages the reading of the BIBLE by its members. The CATHOLIC CHURCH tells us that PETER started the CHRISTIAN movement in ROME and that he was BISHOP of ROME for 25 years. It is sure that PAUL was in ROME and had contact with other CHRISTIAN communities. PAUL never mentioned one word of PETER being in Rome. He was killed by the Emperor NERO between 66 - 68 A.D. To call themselves successors of JESUS and PETER is unfortunate and untrue.
The CHRISTIAN Movement during the first Century most likely never had a "BISHOP" or even a CHURCH. The first BISHOP who wanted to be a little bit more than his colleges, was " VICTOR (192-201). It was at that time that no one believed that any BISHOP was the successor of PETER. One of the BISHOPS "POLYKRATES" of EPHESUS stated " Not PETER, but JOHN was the closest to JESUS ." This story of PETER being BISHOP in ROME did not hold water until many years later, when the CATHOLIC CHURCH falsified most documents to suit their purpose. It was not until the BISHOP "STEPHEN I." (254-257 A.D.) declared that he was the first over all other Bishops and that he was the successor to PETER.
I got ahead of myself. Let's look at some of the Bishops (later on Popes)
BISHOP LEO I. ( 440 - 461) proclaimed the mystical unity of ST. PETER and his successors. This very same POPE proclaimed "HIS INFALLIBILITY." There was continuous disagreement between the Eastern and western section of CHRISTIANITY. The inexorable course of political and ecclesiastical events in the disintegrating ROMAN Empire, enabled the BISHOPS of ROME at last to lay claim to universal dominion. The center of gravity of CHRISTIANITY was undeniable in the East, where the holy places were. The Bishops of ALEXANDRIA, ANTIOCH ,CONSTANTINOPEL and JERUSALEM were united in their stand in regard to religious doctrines. ROME was opposed to these four centers. There was constant controversy, clearly the Eastern four BISHOPS held little sympathy for the power hungry BISHOP of Rome. As early as 96 A.D. BISHOP CLEMENT (88-97) called with some show of authority for harmony and good order in the troublesome church of Corinth. In the next century, BISHOP POLYCARP of the apostolic church of Smyrna appealed to ANICETUS of ROME (155-166 A.D.) on the question of the Easter celebration.
When Emperor CONSTANTINE (288-337 A.D.) Moved the capital of the ROMAN Empire to CONSTANTINOPEL, the ROMAN BISHOP inherited minor disadvantages but on the other hand gained tremendous freedom. The emperor was far from ROME and therefore the BISHOP (Pope) had an increasingly free hand in temporal as in religious matters. Soon the ROMAN SEA gained in its power and CHRISTENDOM looked to ROME for guidance and doctrine. With the collapse of the ROMAN EMPIRE, the POPES in ROME emerged as the rallying point of resistance to the barbarian hordes invading the west. At that point the CHURCH gave leadership while the ROMAN GOVERNMENT was incapable of being decisive. In time, the leadership of the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, the BISHOPS and later the POPES, was nothing more than a horse dealing operation. There was keen competition for the top job of the church. During the fourth century the ROMAN BISHOPS already demanded higher ranking over their colleges in other cities. It was not only because they figured themselves the successors of CHRIST, but also because they were in the Metropolitan of the known world.
In general there were no changes in the structure of the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH during the next 3 - 4 hundred years. Every BISHOP - called himself POPE - and had his own district to look after. From time to time, BISHOPS of other districts exchanged ideas about doctrine and inquired with the Bishop of ROME. In time the BISHOP of ROME took this to be a special, higher honor. It is absolutely clear that the BISHOP of ROME did not have any special or higher authority above or over the other BISHOPS. Even as late as In 883 A.D., at the second synod of Macon, the BISHOP of LYON was called "Patriarch". It was custom to honor the BISHOPS with the titles : Patriarch, Holy Father, POPE, Vicar of Christ, CARDINALl, Prince of the church etc.
The BISHOPS of ROME were at all times under the jurisdiction of the Emperor as any other State employee. During the synod of Chalcedon, BISHOP LEO did have the chairmanship, with the permission of the EMPEROR. Any disagreements among the BISHOPS were settled by the decision of the Emperor. Even POPE GREGOR I. (590-604) recognized the Emperor as his master.
GREGOR I. is recognized for a number of stupid and pointless ceremonies. He is the originator of the "Purgatory". (In ROMAN CATHOLIC theology - a place where souls are taken after death for purification from sins or to complete punishment of the sinner) COMPLETE HOGWASH!!!.His writings are absolutely senseless. So we might as well forget this character. In the seventh century some far reaching developments put a damper on the CHRISTIAN Movement. MOHAMMED originated a new religion. He taught "There is only one GOD" among many other reasonable and decent principals. The teachings of MOHAMMED was appreciated , specially in the Orient. With considerable speed, his words spread all over Asia and North Africa. It resulted in the destroying of the CHRISTIAN CHURCH in ANTIOCHIEN, JERUSALEM and ALEXANDRIA. This strengthened the position of the BISHOP of Rome somewhat.
But the Emperors of Rome still had the power to keep these BISHOPS under control. When the BISHOP LIBERIUS decided to disobey the Emperor KONSTANTIN , he was immediately disposed. The BISHOP LEO (the great) (452) was exiled by the EMPEROR VALENTINIAN . Some of these BISHOPS were even incarcerated.
During the 8th Century the BISHOPS made great headway. During the reign of the LOMBARDS the BISHOPS had only jurisdiction over their own districts (dioceses).This changed when the FRANKS took power over most of ITALY The Kings of the FRANKS made it possible for the BISHOPS to accumulate incredible large parcels of land. They were from then on the largest land owners in ITALY. The BISHOPS lost some influence in SPAIN but gained through the friendship with the FRANKS complete power in GERMANY.
From 715 - 735 A.D. BISHOP GREGOR II. was the "Representative of GOD in Rome. During his leadership, the old disagreements surfaced again in regard to the worshiping of "icons" (Pictures). The admiration of pictures was condemned by the honest and devoted Church leaders as blasphemous. GREGOR II. was a "Picture nut."
The East Roman EMPROR LEO III. (680 - 741 A.D.) had to use force to remove these icons from the places of worship. GREGOR was not going to submit to the EMPEROR and used every means to turn the populace against the EMPEROR. This EMPEROR was a very mild mannered person, but he could only take so much from this "holy" man. He confiscated all the real estate from under him. This resulted in the loss of all of his income from these parcels of land. The ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH considers this GREGOR a "Saint!."
The successor of GREGORY II. , GREGOR III. (731-41) operated the same way. He used inflammatory speech and a regular smear campaign against the Emperor. Since the LOMBARDS and the FRANKS were constantly fighting , the BISHOPS of Rome took advantage of this situation and played each one against the other. These BISHOPS meddled in every political situation , not for the benefit of the CHURCH, but for their own individual fortune. The successor to GREGORY III. " ZACHARIAS "(741-52), another "undignified Christian Holy" man. He played both sides of the coin. But he did not earn the fruit of his seeds. This guy should be remembered for one thing, he put a ban on his fellow BISHOP "VIRGILLIUS". CHARLEMAGNE (Charles the great) (742 - 814, emperor of the West was the KING of the FRANKS from 768 - 814. He consolidated his power within his own Kingdom, then invaded ITALY in support of the POPE. He was a very intelligent man but made the mistake of letting the POPE put the crown on his head. Although he did not have a very high opinion of the clergy, he proclaimed a new law which gave the clergy the right of 1/10 of the earnings of the populace. During a synod at the end of the seventh century, this 1/10 was declared "Gods Articles".
The successors of CHARLES I. were completely in the pockets of the monks, priests and BISHOPS. Everyone of these Emperors were stupid enough to have these BISHOPS set the crown on their heads. Soon the population got the idea that the emperors were subjects of the BISHOPS. Despite the fact that the crowning of the emperors was done by the BISHOPS, the BISHOPS still were under the jurisdiction of the EMPERORS. This fact was played down by the clergy to keep the people in the dark about the real status of the clergy. It is absolute proof that the BISHOPS of ROME knew that they were subjects UNDER the EMPERORS, either the FRANKS or the GERMANS. EMPEROR OTTO I.and HENRY I. did find the Bull of the BISHOP "EUGENE II." (824 - 27) in the "Castel Saint Angelo" in Rome confirming the rule of the monarchs over the bishops.
This fact is disputed by the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Like so many items. The boundless insolence of the BISHOPS grew constantly. ST.NICOLAS I. (858 - 87) was one of the most utterly stupid
"Holy men". He decreed " When there was a need for a synod, the Emperors did not act in an imperious manner but rather in a "suggestive" way. BISHOP ST. NICHOLAS had the audacity to proclaim " Kings and/or Emperors who do not subjugate themselves to the will of GOD (e.g.POPE), can not demand obedience of their citizens. His arrogance went so far as to excommunicate KING LOTHAIR I. (795-855), Emperor of the west. The ARCHBISHOPS TEUTGAUD of TRIER and GUENTHER of COLON confronted this outrages "man of GOD". The called him " a wolf among Sheep." I quote one of their communiques to this "holy father" " You are behaving
toward your brother BISHOPS not as a Father, but like a Jupiter."
These were by no means isolated protests, people of quality did revolt against the tyranny of the ROMAN BISHOPS. However, it was too little and too late. At the beginning of the ninth century the POPES of ROME had the dream of spanning their lies and deceits with renewed vigor to the known world. Since there still was a large number of people who did not believe these perverts, they decided that more drastic measures had to be deployed . Thanks to the stupidity of the masses at large and the masterly disguised lies of the Clergy in Rome, a monumental falsification of documents were distributed. These false documents were published under the name of a highly regarded and honest BISHOP ISIDOR of SEVILLE (d.636). Since most of the BISHOPS, and specially those of ROME were in ill repute, they had to use the name of a person who had an excellent reputation. The falsifications started with 60 letters which were attributed to the very first Bishops of ROME The main purpose of these falsifications was to overthrow the conventional, doctrines (some true, others false) to establish the ROMAN BISHOP (POPE) as the undisputed CHURCH MONARCH over all CHRISTIANS. It furthermore was to destroy the power of the BISHOPS elsewhere and to subjugate everyone to the power of ROME. These false documents were to segregate the CHURCH from all worldly powers and reduce the influence of the worldly GOVERNMENTS toward the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. They went even so far to include in these fraudulent papers a "donation document" which emperor CONSTANTIN I.(A.D.250 - 306!) was supposed to have given to ST. PETER (d.A.D. 67!!), which gave the western Empire into the hands of the PONTIFF of ROME. This was the greatest fraud the CATHOLIC CHURCH committed up to this date. Some of the documents contain information which was not known at the time, as these were supposed have been written. Fraud and Fraud again is the foundation of the CATHOLIC CHURCH. Enough of that, anyone interested can easily search for the truth.
It did not take very long and the lies and misrepresentations of these crooks had its results. POPE NIKOLAS I. (858-67) and even more so under JOHN VIII. (872-82) the POPES acted as real dictators. They requested KINGS and EMPERORS to come to Rome and receive their blessings. STEPHEN V. (885-891) went even farther do proclaim "A POPE is like JESUS. All POPES would be somewhat a "GOD-MAN.".
The ludicrous behavior of these unworthy, unscrupulous BISHOPS continued to be unopposed and began to stink to heaven. As a matter of fact, with the end of the ninth century, the period of the " ROMAN WHORE MASTERS" begins in all its glory. From then on, not the representatives of GOD, but Monsters of the lowest human quality sat in the POPE's chair. " Ordinary Whores" ruled the HOLY ROMAN CATHOLIC EMPIRE. These words were spoken by the then highly respected CARDINAL "Baronius"
One final thought on the end of the 2. chapter - It would be easier to convert 1.2 Billions Chinese to Democracy overnight than convince ONE CATHOLIC of his perverted religion. Factual, documented proof does not make any difference. Well......, it is partly the upbringing, tradition, "what would the neighbors and friends say?" etc. and NO GUTS.
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2000 YERS OF CHRISTIANTIY