The movement that eventually became Christianity had its inception in an organized protest by Galileans against Judean cooperation with Rome. That, not a pious procession, is what is portrayed as Jesus' "triumphal entrance into Jerusalem." That is why he and his followers went to the Temple to protest; that's why the guards put down their protest and the chief priests decided to arrest Jesus. That's why the charge against him was rebellion and why he was executed among other rebels. That's why he died, and why so many of his followers were executed later. Reza Aslan does a pretty good job of uncovering many of these facts in "Zealot," but we tend to read these works and go back to being mild-mannered Christians.

Now we're faced with what seems to be a genuine challenge to our core beliefs. If the Church responds by cuddling with the pagans, left and right,  I don't see how it can survive. If it does, I'm not sure it should.