Edward Gibbon famously remarked: “The various modes of worship which prevailed in the Roman world were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher as equally false; and by the magistrate as equally useful. And thus toleration produced not only mutual indulgence, but even religious concord.”[1] I do not think the Roman Empire owned the copyright on this view of religion. It has triumphed in many eras. However, dissenting views have arisen throughout history. Take, for example, the story of the Maccabees and their Judean followers whose courage and conviction serve as inspiration for the eight-day Jewish holiday known as Hanukkah, which is celebrated in December every year. The Maccabees refused to succumb to the tyrannical demands of the Syrian king Antiochus IV, who sought to force them to worship the Greek God Zeus and partake in pagan sacrifices. Beginning in 167 BCE and culminating in 164 BCE with the capture, cleansing and rededication of the second Temp
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