We're sunsetting PodQuest on 2025-07-28. Thank you for your support!
Export Podcast Subscriptions
cover of episode Episode 598: The Horrible Lives and Deaths of the Saints - The OGs

Episode 598: The Horrible Lives and Deaths of the Saints - The OGs

2024/11/15
logo of podcast Last Podcast On The Left

Last Podcast On The Left

AI Deep Dive AI Insights AI Chapters Transcript
People
M
Marcus Parks
Topics
Marcus Parks: 本期节目探讨了在罗马帝国兴起之前,早期基督教圣徒的非凡生活和悲惨死亡。他们的故事充满了魔法、酷刑和谋杀,这些故事突出了殉道在早期基督教中的核心地位,以及这些故事如何被夸大以增强其吸引力。成为圣徒需要经历极端痛苦的死亡,而非普通的死亡。 Henry Zebrowski: 早期基督教与现代基督教几乎没有关系,它更接近古代异教的魔法思维方式。圣徒是信徒信仰的个人守护者,可以帮助他们应对疾病和生活中的各种情况。圣徒不能行奇迹,只有上帝或耶稣才能行奇迹,圣徒只能代上帝或耶稣行事。圣徒的职能源于早期基督教的实践方式,早期基督教徒将逝者的遗骸放置在墓穴中,并向他们祈祷,寻求其作为中间人与上帝沟通。圣徒崇拜的起源与希腊和罗马神话中的英雄崇拜相似,人们将英雄作为与神沟通的中间人。圣徒的故事被用来激励信徒继续信奉宗教,即使生活依旧艰难。许多基督徒仍然抱有严重的迫害情结,这与圣徒故事中被压迫的叙事有关。教会利用圣徒故事中的迫害叙事作为宣传工具,鼓励信徒为信仰而死。 Ed Larson: 对基督徒的怀疑和迫害始于公元64年的罗马大火。基督徒被罗马人视为异类,因为他们独特的信仰与罗马多神教信仰相冲突。罗马人散布谣言,诽谤基督徒在夜间聚会,吃无辜罗马人的肉,并进行乱伦。基督徒以极其残酷的方式被杀害,例如在罗马竞技场被野兽撕碎,遭受酷刑并被活活烧死。从公元2世纪开始,关于基督徒被赋予魔法力量的故事开始出现,这是为了维护人们的信仰。基督教的成功部分归功于其引人入胜且充满暴力的故事。圣徒的遗物,如骨头、骨灰和血迹斑斑的衣物,也被视为神圣的物品。圣徒的遗物促进了商品贸易的发展。成为圣徒需要有奇迹被证实。在罗马社会,成为基督徒意味着与社会隔离。犹太人在罗马社会中被相对宽容地对待,因为他们没有积极地推销自己的宗教信仰。一些基督徒为了获得合规证书而进行动物祭祀,而大多数人则伪造文件。公元300年,基督教在罗马帝国的主要城市中变得显著。君士坦丁大帝皈依基督教并颁布米兰赦令,结束了对基督教的迫害。在罗马人将基督徒视为替罪羊与君士坦丁大帝使基督教合法化之间,许多基督徒死于罗马政策。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why did the Romans persecute Christians?

Romans persecuted Christians because they had bizarre beliefs, such as worshipping a single god who was also a man and a ghost, which didn't align with the Roman pantheon of thousands of gods. This made Christians easy to otherize in a society where fortune and strength depended on appeasing various gods.

How did Christianity grow despite persecution?

Christianity grew through the stories of martyrs who endured horrible deaths but never wavered in their faith. These stories were often embellished with magic and miraculous interventions by God, which inspired and encouraged other Christians. The stubbornness instilled by these tales persists in the religion to this day.

What role did saints play in early Christianity?

Saints in early Christianity served as intermediaries between God and the believers. They were seen as holier than average people and their bones were used in worship services, often placed in crypts where believers would pray. Saints also became examples of endurance and faith, encouraging others to remain steadfast in their beliefs despite persecution.

Why did St. Sebastian become a gay icon?

St. Sebastian became a gay icon because he was invariably portrayed as a nude or semi-nude handsome young man with a perfectly sculpted and bound body, giving off a general sense of ecstasy and sensualism. His paintings often looked like scenes from a BDSM session, making him a symbol of homoeroticism. He became particularly important during the AIDS crisis as a protector against plagues.

How did St. Barbara become associated with protection against explosions and fire?

St. Barbara became associated with protection against explosions and fire because, according to legend, her father was struck by lightning and reduced to ashes after beheading her. This event led to her invocation against thunder, lightning, and accidents from explosions involving gunpowder, as well as violent workplace accidents of any kind.

What is Barborka Day and how is it celebrated in Poland?

Barborka Day is a Polish feast day in honor of St. Barbara, the patron saint of miners. It begins with a mass followed by a parade where each mining company has its own marching band and miners in ceremonial uniforms. The festivities include a firework show, a gathering where miners roast each other with songs, and a tradition where those with bad roasts must drink salty beer or be put in stocks for further roasting.

Chapters
The episode begins with a discussion about the relics of saints, focusing on Mother Teresa's bones and their potential magical properties.
  • Mother Teresa's bones are believed to have magical properties when combined with Catholic rituals.
  • Saints' relics were often used in medieval times to perform miracles and were a significant part of religious practices.

Shownotes Transcript

This week the boys travel way, way back - to the days before the advent of the Holy Roman Empire to examine the dark, bloody history behind a handful of "The OG Saints" and the often brutally gruesome tales that led to their consecrations.

Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to ad-free new episodes and get exclusive access to bonus content.