Things Hidden The Tom Holland Approach: Faith vs. Doubt What REALLY Matters
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Dec 4, 2025 
Historian Tom Holland, acclaimed for his work on the Roman Empire and the book 'Dominion', delves into the captivating influence of Christianity on Western civilization. He shares his personal journey grappling with faith and historical doubts, contrasting ancient moral practices with modern Christian ethics. The discussion highlights Christianity's role in shaping secularism, human dignity, and even modern notions of marriage. Tom provocatively suggests that our moral frameworks, often taken for granted today, are deeply rooted in Christian thought.
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Childhood Dinosaur Crisis
- Tom Holland recounts a childhood Sunday school moment when an illustrated Bible showed a brachiosaur beside Adam and Eve, which confused him deeply.
- The teacher's inability to answer sparked an early crisis about how to reconcile Bible stories with natural history.
Glamour Masked Ancient Brutality
- Tom Holland explains his early attraction to the glamour of Greece and Rome, which made Christian simplicity seem dull.
- Diving into classical history later revealed its brutality and moral alienness, prompting reevaluation of Christian values.
Christianity Invented 'Religion'
- Holland traces the modern concept of "religion" to Christianity's shift from many religiones to one exclusive religio.
- That change reframed social life into distinct secular and religious spheres over centuries.
