Pliny the Younger

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The Roman lawyer Pliny the Younger mentioned Christians in his writings. Apologists claim this authenticates the historical existence of Jesus. [1]

"Soon accusations spread, as usually happens, because of the proceedings going on, and several incidents occurred. An anonymous document was published containing the names of many persons. Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when they invoked the gods in words dictated by me, offered prayer with incense and wine to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for this purpose together with statues of the gods, and moreover cursed Christ--none of which those who are really Christians, it is said, can be forced to do--these I thought should be discharged. Others named by the informer declared that they were Christians, but then denied it, asserting that they had been but had ceased to be, some three years before, others many years, some as much as twenty-five years. They all worshipped your image and the statues of the gods, and cursed Christ."

It proves nothing in regard to the existence of Jesus, but only affirms the existence of Christians.

It is however one of the earliest accounts of contemporary evidence for Christians where they were given the choice between continuing to worship Jesus and dying, and they overwhelmingly chose not to die for a lie.

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