Re: The Early Christians - The State, Society and Martyrs

Jim wrote:

> In every country there is a throng of females, hermaphrodites, and
> perverts ready for wicked acts, and you [the Roman State] accept rent,
> taxes, and tribute from them instead of eradicating them from your
> Empire. What is done in public by you and recognized by the State, you
> hold against us as if we practiced it in darkness after overturning
> the light. 
> 
> Justin, First Apology 27.
> 

Our accusers impute godless feasts and indiscriminate intercourse to us. 
They do this on the one hand to convince themselves that there are good 
reasons for hating us; on the other hand, they do it in the hope of
drawing 
us away from our way of life by intimidation, or they do it to influence 
the authorities against us and to incite them to treat us harshly and 
implacably because of the enormity of the accusations.

Athenagoras, A Plea Regarding Christians 31.