major appeal was the social and psychological benefits that it provided to its adherents, benefits not found in the cults or philosophies. It was open to all with no restrictions other than steadfastness to the faith. The cults tended to be secretive, exclusive, and their initiation rites often expensive, and the religious philosophies required some degree of education and made salvation an intellectual accomplishment. Christianity’s most important benefit was its sense of community that was not
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