The First Apology

Firstly, we provide evidence because, although we express ideas similar to what the Greeks express, we are hated only because of the name of Christ. Even though we do no wrong, we are executed as sinners, while people in other regions worship trees, rivers, mice, cats, crocodiles, and many irrational animals. Not all people regard the same animals as sacred; in one place one animal is worshipped, and in another place a different one is, leading to them viewing each other as profane due to not worshipping the same objects. The sole accusation you bring against us is that we do not honor the same gods as you, nor do we offer to the dead libations, the aroma of fat, crowns for their statues, or sacrifices. You know very well that the same animals are considered gods by some, wild beasts by others, and sacrificial victims by yet others.