Lucian and Marcian were killed in the middle of the 3rd century when they became missionaries for Christianity. Previous to their conversion, they were “living in the darkness of idolatry” and they “applied themselves to the study of the black art.” And as far as the Roman authorities were concerned, they were fine and dandy. They attracted little-to-no attention and were left to ply their beliefs.

But when they became Christians and began preaching this new faith to others, they suddenly became outlaws. And when they refused to renounce their practices (and ideally–but not necessarily–the beliefs that animated them), they were executed.

To those of you who have been reading my blog from time to time this year, what happened to Lucian and Marcian was not an unusual pattern for martyrs prior to the time when Constantine declared that thenceforth Christianity would be the Empire’s official religion.

And therein lies the key: religion is fine as long as the adherents’ ultimate allegiance is to the State. Pre-Constantine, Christians were inviting people to have a Greater Allegiance (to God, to Christ, to the Church and its adherents throughout the known world) than to the Roman Empire. That’s why they were perceived as a threat to State security.

Jews throughout history have been regarded as having a Greater Allegiance (to God, to Judaism, to Israel–whether present-day or hoped-for) than to any State in which they resided in their diaspora. Even Karl Marx recognized that Jews might well have this Greater Allegiance than to the Proletariat. That’s why they have been/are perceived as a threat to State security.

Muslims in non-Islamic States (consider first the United States) are regarded as having a Greater Allegiance (to Allah, to Islam, to other Muslims) than to the non-Islamic State in which they reside. That’s why they have been/are perceived as a threat…a threat to State security.

Non-Muslims in Islamic States are regarded as having a Greater Allegiance (to their own god/s, their own beliefs, their own traditions) than to the Islamic State in which they reside. That’s why they have been/are perceived as a threat…a threat to State security.

It always comes back to the State. And neutralizing the (perceived) threats.