Too many people tend to focus on conversions by the sword, possibly because as kids it was easier to understand them. It's just easier to imagine oneself leading a charge against the heathen for the glory of God and saving their souls from a fiery death than it is to envision a more peaceful conversion over time.
The reality is of course that most religions tend to frown on conversions by threats of death. Ignoring the obvious issues that those converted thus are more likely to betray their converters, there is also the question of whether or not the believe with their heart and, more importantly, soul. In fact, most conversions happen by example and over time.
European pagans did not become Christians because of the vast armies sent forth to defeat them, especially when you realize that they were far better warriors than those sent to pacify them, and actually lived for battle. However, the riches present in the Christian cites gave them pause, and the healthier living made a lot of them question their own lifestyles. The Christian towns were also better defended than theirs and virtually invincible against their armies. It was just easier to be a Christian as the benefits easily outweighed the few disadvantages.
The Church welcomed these new recruits a little hesitantly, but some concessions were made. A number of holidays were added or modified to accept them. Christmas, for example, was combined with Saturnalia to form a combination of celebration of Christ's birthday as well as to celebrate the passing of the old year into the next. Samhain was changed into a celebration of saints in order to keep the idea that the dead should be honored. The cerebration of Christ's resurrection was combined with spring fertility celebrations to give us a holiday where rabbits hid eggs.
Of special note is the Thor's Hammer I wear as a cross. Just as the Vikings were turning from raiding to exploration they converted en masse to Christianity. A compromise was made taking advantage of the shape of the most popular Viking holy symbol and allowing it to be worn as a cross. The barbarians at the gate often became the petitioners in church, praying to a more peaceful god that ended up giving them greater health and prosperity, all because of followers that were willing to compromise in order to make things easier for their estranged brothers and sisters to join them.
The reality is of course that most religions tend to frown on conversions by threats of death. Ignoring the obvious issues that those converted thus are more likely to betray their converters, there is also the question of whether or not the believe with their heart and, more importantly, soul. In fact, most conversions happen by example and over time.
European pagans did not become Christians because of the vast armies sent forth to defeat them, especially when you realize that they were far better warriors than those sent to pacify them, and actually lived for battle. However, the riches present in the Christian cites gave them pause, and the healthier living made a lot of them question their own lifestyles. The Christian towns were also better defended than theirs and virtually invincible against their armies. It was just easier to be a Christian as the benefits easily outweighed the few disadvantages.
The Church welcomed these new recruits a little hesitantly, but some concessions were made. A number of holidays were added or modified to accept them. Christmas, for example, was combined with Saturnalia to form a combination of celebration of Christ's birthday as well as to celebrate the passing of the old year into the next. Samhain was changed into a celebration of saints in order to keep the idea that the dead should be honored. The cerebration of Christ's resurrection was combined with spring fertility celebrations to give us a holiday where rabbits hid eggs.
Of special note is the Thor's Hammer I wear as a cross. Just as the Vikings were turning from raiding to exploration they converted en masse to Christianity. A compromise was made taking advantage of the shape of the most popular Viking holy symbol and allowing it to be worn as a cross. The barbarians at the gate often became the petitioners in church, praying to a more peaceful god that ended up giving them greater health and prosperity, all because of followers that were willing to compromise in order to make things easier for their estranged brothers and sisters to join them.
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