One of the earliest reliable accounts of Christianity from a non-Christian source is a Roman governor (Pliny the Younger) writing to the Emperor for advice on what to do about a local cult - the governor identifies them as essentially harmless, just overly superstitious and secretive. The Emperor writes back telling him not to seek any of them out to punish them, and only to prosecute them when they make nuisances of themselves (with the caveat, admittedly, that any provincial ‘refusing to do anything Roman officials say’ is a nuisance in the eyes of the Romans).
It’s funny how… out of control… things can become as the years pass by.
Bart Soldier: We believe that God’s last prophet, Bart Simpson preached a message of tolerance, and love.
Bartman Soldier: We believe the holy Bartman preached a message of understanding and peace, before he was betrayed by his follower, Milhouse! And pulled apart by snow-mobiles, until he died.
Bart Soldiers: Eat our shorts!
Bartman Soldiers: Cowabunga!
From the Simpsons episode Season 16 Episode 21 ‘The Father, the Son and the Holy Guest Star’ (May 2005)
One of the earliest reliable accounts of Christianity from a non-Christian source is a Roman governor (Pliny the Younger) writing to the Emperor for advice on what to do about a local cult - the governor identifies them as essentially harmless, just overly superstitious and secretive. The Emperor writes back telling him not to seek any of them out to punish them, and only to prosecute them when they make nuisances of themselves (with the caveat, admittedly, that any provincial ‘refusing to do anything Roman officials say’ is a nuisance in the eyes of the Romans).
It’s funny how… out of control… things can become as the years pass by.
Bart Soldier: We believe that God’s last prophet, Bart Simpson preached a message of tolerance, and love.
Bartman Soldier: We believe the holy Bartman preached a message of understanding and peace, before he was betrayed by his follower, Milhouse! And pulled apart by snow-mobiles, until he died.
Bart Soldiers: Eat our shorts!
Bartman Soldiers: Cowabunga!
From the Simpsons episode Season 16 Episode 21 ‘The Father, the Son and the Holy Guest Star’ (May 2005)