Appian Way Press

Athenagoras of Athens, in his work A Plea for the Christians, directly addresses the three crimes charged against Christians: atheism, "Thyestean feasts" (cannibalism), and "incest like Oedipus." He challenges his accusers, stating, "But if these things are true, spare no one’s family; bring out the wrongdoings." He argues that such accusations are "fabrications and empty slanders" and urges his audience to "examine our life, our beliefs, our eagerness and obedience" to discern the truth.

Regarding the charge of atheism, Athenagoras points out the inconsistency of the accusation given the wide variety of worship practices tolerated within the empire. He notes that different peoples and nations "bring sacrifices and mysteries as men wish," citing examples such as the Egyptians who "consider cats, crocodiles, snakes, shields, and dogs to be gods." He observes that while it is considered "impious and irreverent not to regard any god at all," the laws permit individuals to "use whatever each one wishes as gods." By implication, Christians, who worship their own God, should not be singled out as atheists when such diverse forms of worship are allowed.

For the charges of cannibalism (referred to as "Thyestean feasts") and incest (likened to Oedipus), Athenagoras argues that such acts are contrary to natural reason and even below the behavior of animals. He asserts that "even beasts do not touch their own kind, and by the law of nature, and only for a time of reproduction, they do not mate without permission." He suggests that if Christians were "wilder than the beasts" by committing such atrocities, they would indeed deserve punishment. However, he maintains that "none of these things have been done wrong," presenting these accusations as baseless slanders.