Rumors and False Accusations Against Christians

Tertullian, Apology Direct teaching

...have answered well enough the charges of the many crimes on which these fierce demands are made for Christian blood. We have fully presented our case. We have shown how we can prove that what we say is true, from the trustworthiness and antiquity of our sacred writings, and also from the confession of the powers of spiritual wickedness themselves. Who will dare to refute us, not with skill in words, but, as we have made our demonstration, on the basis of reality? But while the truth we hold is made clear to all, unbelief meanwhile, even at the very time when it is convinced of the worth of Christianity, now well known both for its benefits and from the intercourse of life, takes up the idea that it is not really something divine, but rather a kind of philosophy. "These are the very things," it says, "that the philosophers advise and profess: innocence, justice, patience, sobriety, and chastity." Why then are we not allowed the same freedom and immunity for our teachings that they have, when we are compared with them in what we teach? Or why are they not also forced to the same acts, by refusing which our lives are put in danger, if they are so much like us? For who forces a phil

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Direct teaching

For we are accused of being Christians, and to hate what is excellent (Chrestian) is unjust.

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness

Founding upon this, then, let us pardon such as are Christians, lest they pray for and obtain such a weapon against ourselves.

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Supporting witness

And I counsel that no such person be accused on the ground of his being a Christian.

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness

...and, those people may think they are saying something important when they are only repeating common rumors; and on the other hand, if we keep out of such a dispute, they may think they have won a case that was really lost by its own faults, not given up because its defenders were silent. For I would not deny that this charge is a very serious one, and that we fully deserve the hatred given to public enemies, if it should appear that we are the cause of the universe turning away from its laws, the gods being driven far away, and such swarms of miseries being brought upon the human race.

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

These calumnies have long exercised, although unreasonably, an influence over the minds of very many, leading those who are aliens to the Gospel to believe that Christians are men of such a character;

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

But as Celsus delights to heap up calumnies against us, and, in addition to those which he has already uttered, has added others, let us examine these also, and see whether it be the Christians or Celsus who have reason to be ashamed of what is said.

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness

and it is more insulting to brand and mark any one with false accusations, than to bring forward and upbraid their real offenses.

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness

nay, matters believed on calumnious reports not proved by any certain evidence.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Wherefore, dearest brethren, do not with facility either hear or believe whatever is currently rumoured against Cornelius and about me.

Theophilus of Antioch, Connection to Acts 11:26 Supporting witness

and since, besides, you call me a Christian, as if this were a damning name to bear, I, for my part, avow that I am a Christian,

Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians Background

But no name in and by itself is reckoned either good or bad;

Irenaeus, Connection to Romans 3:8 Background

so that "their condemnation is just,"

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Background

for it is reasonable, on account of abusive calumnies.

Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus Direct teaching

Otherwise you would not have been moved by senseless men to yield yourself to empty words, and to give credit to the prevalent rumor wherewith godless lips falsely accuse us, who are worshippers of God, and are called Christians, alleging that the wives of us all are held in common and made promiscuous use of;

Minucius Felix, Octavius Direct teaching

Chapter 30. Argument: The Story About Christians Drinking the Blood of an Infant that They Have Murdered, is a Barefaced Calumny.

Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Direct teaching

at another time they cast opprobrium and infamy upon the Christian religion, their young maidens disgracefully wandering about every village and street.

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

Celsus seems to have been driven by something like this purpose when he claimed that Christians call the Creator a cursed deity. He did this so that anyone who believed his charges against us might, if possible, rise up and destroy the Christians as the most ungodly of all people. Also, by confusing things that are different, he explains why the God of Moses' account of creation is called cursed. He says that this is His character, and that He deserves condemnation in the opinion of those who think this way, since He pronounced a curse on the serpent, who introduced the first human beings to the knowledge of good and evil. Now he should have known that those who have taken the serpent's side because it gave good advice to the first human beings, and who go far beyond the Titans and Giants of fable, are called Ophites for this reason. They are so far from being Christians that they accuse Jesus just as much as Celsus himself does. They do not admit anyone into their assembly until he has spoken curses against Jesus. See, then, how irrational Celsus' method is. In his argument against the Christians, he presents as Christians those who will not even listen to the name of Jesus, or ev

Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Direct teaching

but building for themselves dens of thieves, they hold their assemblies in them unceasingly, night and day directing their calumnies against Christ and against us.

Minucius Felix, Octavius Direct teaching

to wit, that the Christians worshipped monsters, devoured infants, mingled in incestuous banquets.

Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians Supporting witness

But, when we have surrendered our property, they plot against our very bodies and souls, pouring upon us wholesale charges of crimes of which we are guiltless even in thought, but which belong to these idle praters themselves, and to the whole tribe of those who are like them.

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

so would the following statements of Celsus be found to be calumnies invented against the Christians, where he says that he has seen in the hands of certain presbyters belonging to our faith barbarous books, containing the names and marvellous doings of demons;

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

Now, by such statements, this illustrious philosopher Celsus distinctly slanders the Christians, asserting that, when the Jews press them hard, they acknowledge the same God as they do;

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

After this he again slanders the ambassador of Christianity, and gives out regarding him that he relates ridiculous things, although he does not show or clearly point out what are the things which he calls ridiculous.

Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Supporting witness

For those inventors of stupid fables say, that we who turn away with aversion from the impious and unscriptural blasphemy against Christ, of those who speak of His coming from the things which are not assert, that there are two unbegottens.

Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Supporting witness

Neither indeed was there any accuser, until a certain Jew, one charged with other offenses, was induced, through hope of pardon, to give false evidence against the innocent.

Tertullian, Apology Supporting witness

Cæsar held to his opinion, threatening wrath against all accusers of the Christians.

Alexander of Alexandria, Epistles on the Arian Heresy Supporting witness

partly seek to traduce and inform against its professors before the judgment-seats;

Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Supporting witness

(Now these heretics) have themselves been sent forth by Satan, for the purpose of slandering before the Gentiles the divine name of the Church.

Tatian, The Diatessaron Background

...ered together and made a plot. They took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. They looked for false witnesses to testify against him, so that they might put him to death, but they found none. Many false witnesses came, but their testimony did not agree. At last two false witnesses came and said, "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple of God that is made with hands, and after three days I will build another not made with hands.'" But even then, their testimony did not agree. But Jesus was silent. The chief priest stood up in the middle and asked Jesus, "Do you answer nothing? What is this that these men testify against you?" But Jesus was silent and answered him nothing. Then they brought him into their assembly and said to him, "If you are the Messiah, tell us." He said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe me. And if I ask you, you will not answer me a word, nor let me go." Then the chief priest said to him, "I put you under oath by the living God: tell us whether you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him, "You have said that I am he." They all said to him, "Then are you now the Son of God?" Jesus said, "You have said that I am he.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Background

...f it were so, understand by it the one who is called the devil, whether because he attacks man with slanders, or because he accuses sinners, or because he is an apostate. The people of whom this was said, when they were being chastened for their sins, bore it badly and groaned. With these words they were murmuring that other nations, though they behave wickedly, are not punished, while they themselves are troubled in every matter. So Jeremiah also said, “Why does the way of the ungodly prosper?” Jeremiah 12:1. This is similar to what was quoted earlier from Malachi: “They resisted God and were saved.” For the divinely inspired prophets not only declare that they speak what they heard from God, but they also sometimes state, by way of reporting, things commonly said among the people, and present them as questions raised by men. That is the kind of saying already mentioned. Was the Apostle perhaps addressing these people when he wrote in the Epistle to the Romans, “And not as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say, ‘Let us do evil, that good may come,’ whose condemnation is just?” Romans 3:8. These are the people who, while reading, twist the Scriptures by th

Minucius Felix, Octavius Background

The Christians are Falsely Accused of Sacrilege, of Incest, of Adultery, of Parricide;

Minucius Felix, Octavius Direct teaching

...re to be heard at all. Sometimes even, when we pretended to pity them, we were more cruelly violent against them. We tortured them when they confessed, so that they might deny, that is, so that they might not perish. We used a perverse inquisition against them, not to draw out the truth, but to compel a falsehood. And if anyone, because of greater weakness, overcome by suffering and conquered, should deny that he was a Christian, we showed favor to him, as if by forswearing that name he had at once atoned for all his deeds by that simple denial. Do you not acknowledge that we felt and did the same as you feel and do? When, if reason and not the instigation of a demon were to judge, they should rather have been pressed not to disavow themselves Christians, but to confess themselves guilty of incests, of abominations, of sacred rites polluted, of infants immolated. For with these and such stories those same demons filled the ears of the ignorant against us, to the horror of their execration. Nor yet was this wonderful, since the common report of men, always fed by the scattering of falsehoods, is wasted away when the truth is brought to light. Thus this is the business of demons,

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

for he that will receive such accusations is the author of anger rather than of peace.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

Thus, then, will you be guilty of the sin of him who slanders.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

For slander is evil and an unsteady demon.

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

But since he is clearly guilty of falsehood in the statements that follow, let us examine his claim when he says, "If all men wanted to become Christians, Christians would not want that." Now it is clear that this statement is false, because Christians do not fail, as far as it depends on them, to spread their teaching throughout the whole world. Some of them have therefore made it their work to travel not only through cities, but even through villages and country houses, so that they might convert people to God. And no one could say that they did this for the sake of profit, since sometimes they would not even accept the food they needed. Or if they were at any time forced by such necessity, they were content with only what they needed, although many were willing to share their abundance with them and give them help far beyond their need. Indeed, at the present time, because of the large number of Christian believers, not only rich men but also people of rank, and refined and high-born ladies, receive the teachers of Christianity. Some perhaps may dare to say that certain people take on the role of Christian teachers for the sake of a little glory. However, it is impossible to hol

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

The opponent makes his charge, the false accuser attacks, the witness defames, on all sides the venal impudence of hired voices sets about the falsification of charges, while in the meantime the guilty do not even perish with the innocent.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Background

Concerning Accusers and False Accusers, and How a Judge is Not Rashly Either to Believe Them or Disbelieve Them, But After an Accurate Examination.

Origen, Against Celsus Background

When false witnesses testified against our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, He remained silent. And when false charges were brought against Him, He gave no answer. He believed that His whole life and conduct among the Jews were a better reply than any answer to the false testimony, or any formal defense against the accusations. And I do not know, my pious Ambrosius, why you wanted me to write a reply to the false charges that Celsus brought against the Christians, and to his accusations against the faith of the Churches in his treatise. It is as if the facts themselves did not provide a clear refutation, and the doctrine a better answer than any writing, since it both overturns the false statements and leaves the accusations with no credibility or force. Now, about our Lord's silence when false witness was given against Him, it is enough for the present to quote the words of Matthew, since the testimony of Mark says the same thing. And the words of Matthew are these: "And the high priest and the council sought false witness against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none, although many false witnesses came forward. At last two false witnesses came and said, 'This man said, I am able

Justin Martyr, The Martyrdom of Justin Martyr Background

Then the prefect Rusticus said to Chariton, “Tell me more, Chariton, are you also a Christian?” Chariton replied, “I am a Christian by the command of God.” Rusticus the prefect asked the woman Charito, “What do you say, Charito?” Charito answered, “I am a Christian by the grace of God.” Rusticus asked Euelpistus, “And what about you?” Euelpistus, a servant of Caesar, responded, “I too am a Christian, having been freed by Christ; and by the grace of Christ, I share the same hope.” Rusticus the prefect asked Hierax, “And you, are you a Christian?” Hierax answered, “Yes, I am a Christian, for I revere and worship the same God.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Did Justin make you Christians?” Hierax replied, “I was a Christian, and will be a Christian.” Then Pæon stood up and said, “I too am a Christian.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Who taught you?” Pæon replied, “From our parents, we received this good confession.” Euelpistus said, “I willingly heard the words of Justin. But I also learned to be a Christian from my parents.” Rusticus the prefect asked, “Where are your parents?” Euelpistus replied, “In Cappadocia.” Rusticus asked Hierax, “Where are your parents?” And he answered, “Christ

Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Background

...nd completely, and must not be troubled or harassed in any way. We thought it right to speak this clearly about the matters entrusted to your care, so that you might understand that the freedom we have granted to the Christians in matters of religion is full and unconditional. At the same time, you should understand that the open and free practice of their own religions is granted to all others as well as to the Christians. For it suits the good order of the state and the peace of our times that each person should be allowed, according to his own choice, to worship the Divinity. We do not intend to take away anything from the honor due to any religion or to its followers. Moreover, concerning the Christians, we had previously given certain orders about the places set apart for their religious assemblies. But now we order that all persons who have bought such places, either from our treasury or from anyone else, must restore them to the Christians, without asking for money or claiming payment, and this must be done at once and without doubt. We also order that those who have gained any right to such places by way of gift must immediately restore them to the Christians. However, t

Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Background

...ot stay more than one day, or, if necessary, also the next day. But if he stays three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle leaves, let him take nothing except bread, until he finds lodging. But if he asks for money, he is a false prophet. And every prophet who speaks in the Spirit you must neither test nor judge, for every sin will be forgiven, but this sin will not be forgiven. But not everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet. Only the one who has the ways of the Lord is a prophet. Therefore, the false prophet and the true prophet will be known by their ways. And every prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit does not eat from it, unless indeed he is a false prophet. And every prophet who teaches the truth, if he does not do what he teaches, is a false prophet. And every prophet, proved to be true, who works toward the mystery of the Church in the world, yet does not teach others to do what he himself does, must not be judged among you, for God is his judge. For the ancient prophets did the same. But whoever says in the Spirit, "Give me money," or asks for something else, you must not listen to him. But if he tells you to give for the sake of others who are in

Clement of Alexandria, Connection to 1 Peter 2:1 Background

Wherefore also Peter says: "Laying therefore aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisy, and envy, and evil speaking, as new-born babes, desire the milk of the word, that ye may grow by it to salvation; if ye have tasted that the Lord is Christ."

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Background

Nor Ought Any Unbeliever to Be Called for a Witness Against Believers.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Background

Therefore, as a man of God, do not rashly receive such accusations, lest you take away the innocent and slay the righteous;

Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus Background

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Direct teaching

...ayer to the gods of my country. But, as they did not respond, I called upon those among us known as Christians. Upon investigation, I found a great number and multitude of them and initially acted against them, which was quite inappropriate, as I later understood their power. They began the battle, not with weapons, armor, or bugles, as such preparations are detestable to them because of the God they carry in their conscience. Therefore, it appears that those we think are atheists have God as their guiding force entrenched in their conscience. Throwing themselves on the ground, they prayed not only for me but for the entire army, that we might be saved from the current thirst and hunger. We had been without water for five days because there was none, being deep in Germany, in enemy territory. Simultaneously as they threw themselves on the ground and prayed to God (a God unknown to me), water poured from the sky, refreshingly cool upon us but as withering hail upon Rome's enemies. Immediately we acknowledged the presence of God following their prayer—a God unconquerable and indestructible. Based on this, let us pardon such individuals who are Christians, lest they pray for and ac

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Direct teaching

For with respect to this you have been in the habit of exciting against us the most violent ill-will, of calling us atheists, and inflicting upon us the punishment of death, even by savagely tearing us to pieces with wild beasts, on the ground that we pay very little respect to the gods;

Acts 17:5 Supporting witness

But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.

Minucius Felix, Octavius Supporting witness

Hence They Flee Hastily from the Neighbourhood of Christians, and Stir Up a Hatred Against Them in the Minds of the Gentiles Who Begin to Hate Them Before They Know Them.

Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Supporting witness

and some part of it having been burnt, the blame was laid on the Christians as public enemies;

Lactantius, Of the Manner in Which the Persecutors Died Supporting witness

And now that cruelty, which he had learned in torturing the Christians, became habitual, and he exercised it against all men indiscriminately.

Irenaeus, Connection to 1 Peter 4:14 Supporting witness

inasmuch as she does indeed, in a new fashion, suffer persecution from those who do not receive the word of God, while the self-same spirit rests upon her

Irenaeus, Connection to 1 Peter 4:14 Background

For the Church alone sustains with purity the reproach of those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, and endure all sorts of punishments, and are put to death because of the love which they bear to God, and their confession of His Son; often weakened indeed, yet immediately increasing her members, and becoming whole again, after the same manner as her type, Lot's wife, who became a pillar of salt. Thus, too, [she passes through an experience] similar to that of the ancient prophets, as the Lord declares, "For so persecuted they the prophets who were before you;" inasmuch as she does indeed, in a new fashion, suffer persecution from those who do not receive the word of God, while the self-same spirit rests upon her [as upon these ancient prophets].

Didache, Connection to Matthew 5:11 Background

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, because your reward is great in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before us."