WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Diocletianic or Great Persecution was the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire. In 303, the emperors Diocletian, Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius issued a series of edicts rescinding Christians’ legal rights and demanding that they comply with traditional religious practices.

Detailed explanation-2: -In 313 C.E., Roman emperor Constantine the Great ended all persecution and declared toleration for Christianity. Later that century, Christianity became the official state religion of the Empire. This drastic change in policy spread this relatively new religion to every corner of the Empire.

Detailed explanation-3: -Three alternative responses to persecution or the threat of persecution can be discerned in Scripture: Avoiding, resisting, and enduring for those affected, and mandatory solidarity for the rest of the body of Christ.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Inquisition was a powerful office set up within the Catholic Church to root out and punish heresy throughout Europe and the Americas. Beginning in the 12th century and continuing for hundreds of years, the Inquisition is infamous for the severity of its tortures and its persecution of Jews and Muslims.

Detailed explanation-5: -Statistics. The following statistics from Pew Research Center show that Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are persecuted in more countries around the world than other religions. As of 2018: Christians face harassment in 145 countries, Muslims face harassment in 139 countries, and Jews face harassment in 88 countries.