Wow, that is some history I didn't know. If people were being banished over philosophical debate, there is a level of force in Christianity that made it what it is today. Doesn't make the "begotten" argument one way or the other, but politics entering such important matters makes me wonder how many didn't dissent and agreed simply to avoid persecution.
Exactly. Notice also the Church of Rome was considered to be head of world religion. The Pope is actually still treated this way. What other religious figure do world leaders appear to grovel to?