An Apology

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by seekerman

Who?

Ancient Rome was a prime perpetrator for starters. I would have to dig a bit to come up with sources with specific cases, but there are numerous historical accounts and documentation of the atrocities bestowed upon the early church by Rome. You're better off going to a library that keeps old books (especially of a religious/historical nature) rather than Googling.

And...have you never read Foxe's Book of Martyr's?

Here is the complete text of this detailed Martyrdom history online: http://www.ccel.org/f/foxe/martyrs/home.html

It's not an easy read, but if you haven't read it, you need to. It's documented church history.

Here's a quote by Tacitus: (Roman Empire historian and senator)

"Nero punished a race of men who were hated for their evil practices. These men were called Christians. He got a number of people to confess. On their evidence a number of Christians were convicted and put to death with dreadful cruelty. Some were covered with the skins of wild beasts and left to be eaten by dogs. Others were nailed to the cross. Many were burned alive and set on fire to serve as torches at night."
Tacitus--Source

Here's a quote from the wikipedia page regarding execution of Christians by lions or other animals:

"Execution of Christians[edit]


Christian Martyrs in the Colosseum by Konstantin Flavitsky
The use of damnatio ad bestias against Christians began in the 1st century AD. Tacitus describes that during the first persecution of Christians under the reign of Nero (after the Fire of Rome in 64), people were wrapped in animal skins (called tunica molesta) and thrown to dogs.[31] This practice was followed by other emperors who moved it into the arena and used larger animals. Application of damnatio ad bestias to Christians was intended to equate them with the worst criminals, who were usually punished this way.[32]

According to Roman laws, Christians were:[33]

Offenders of their Majesty (majestatis rei)
For their worship Christians gathered in secret and at night, making unlawful assembly, and participation in such collegium illicitum or coetus nocturni was equated with a riot.
Refused to honor images of the emperor by libations and incense
Dissenters from the state gods (άθεοι, sacrilegi)
Followers of magic prohibited by law (magi, malefici)
Confessors of a religion unauthorized by the law (religio nova, peregrina et illicita), according to the Twelve Tables).
Apart from these specific violations, Christians fell under special government edicts, which were published from 104 AD and targeted anyone who identified themselves as a Christian.[33] Christians were made public scapegoats for any unexplained natural disasters, such as drought, famine, pestilence, earthquakes and floods.[34][35]

The spread of the practice of throwing Christians to beasts was reflected by the Christian writer Tertullian (2nd century). He wrote that Christians started avoiding theaters and circuses, which were associated with the place of their torture.[36] The persecution of Christians ceased by the 4th century. The Edict of Milan (313) gave them freedom of religion."--Source

I don't remember where I read the accounts of children being put to death in front of their parents, but it definitely passed before my eyes. It might be in Foxe's Book of Martyrs.