... All questions concerning the rise of Christianity are one: How was it done? How did a tiny and obscure messianic movement from the edge of the Roman Empire dislodge classical paganism and become the dominant faith of Western civilization? Although this is the only question, it requires many answers - no one thing led to the triumph of Christianity.
Rodney StarkPeople value religion on the basis of cost, and they don't value the cheapest ones the most. Religions that ask nothing get nothing.
Rodney StarkMarines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean, or skinny and mean. They're aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They've got really short hair and they always go for the throat.
Rodney StarkThe overwhelming majority of social scientists were irreligious or even anti-religious. This led them to believe that religion was a disappearing and unimportant factor in human affairs.
Rodney StarkNot only were science and religion compatible, they were inseparable--th e rise of science was achieved by deeply religious Christian scholars.
Rodney Stark