As we worked through some excerpts from Justin Martyr, we were reminded, with a reference to one of Pliny's letters to Trajan that 1st century Christians in the Roman Empire might be considered pagans¹ because they refused to worship the emperor or other Roman gods.

And, even though as a 21^st century Roman, I'm supposed to be more charitable than a 1st century Roman, I had similar inklings when I read a Calvinist's reaction to this frightful tale:

"Italian court: Child cannot be named 'Friday'" - USATODAY.com, 12/20/07.

Michele says ...

"What right does a court have to force a name upon their child? Sheesh! Naming a child is the prerogative of the parents. I wonder if they have to do it?

What if they were Protestant or atheists ...

I'm talking about the fact that they have to name their baby after a saint."

Like a 1^st century Roman trying to understand a contemporary Christian, I'm shaken by her objection on two counts. First, why would a Protestant ... or an atheist ... have a problem naming a baby after a saint? (1 Cor. 8:4-6, Romans 14)

Second, doesn't Paul's admonition in Romans 13:1-7 that believers obey civil authorities trump any personal preference on the part of the (presumably) Christian parents? (Atheists are well-known to obey civil authority as well.)

Yes, the court is wacky but if it insists on the name "Gregory," then "thy will be done." Non è?

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Cf. "The Christians as the Romans Saw Them" - Dr. James Tabor