It would be difficult to select two other words which are used
as extensively as "Christianity" and "civilization," about which
there are such vague and conflicting notions as to their meaning.
If we ask Christians for a definition of their faith, it will be
found that the answers given are as varied as they are numerous.
The reply of a Roman Catholic will differ widely from that of a
Protestant, while the meaning given to Christianity by a member of
the Church of England would not be the same as the one furnished by
the adherents of the many dissenting sects. A decided lack of
harmony would be perceptible between the definitions offered by
Unitarians and Trinitarians, by Quakers and Salvationists, by
Swedenborgians and Christadelphians. The expounders of what is
termed the "higher criticism " present a conception of Christianity
the very opposite to that taught by the school represented by Dr.
Talmage and the late C.H. Spurgeon. The same diversity as to the
nature of the Christian faith obtains among nations. In Spain it
has proved a cruel oppression, in Rome a priestly domination, in
America a commercial commodity, in Scotland a gloomy nightmare, and
in England an emotional pastime. This dissimilitude as to the
character of the "new religion" appeared immediately after the
alleged death of Christ. According to the New Testament, Paul
preached a system of a philosophical character compared with that
of Jesus. The Christianity of Paul was widely different from that
of his "divine Master." The character of Christ was submissive and
servile, that of Paul defiant and pugnacious. We could no more
conceive Christ fighting with wild beasts at Ephesus, than we could
suppose Paul submitting without protest or resistance to those
insults and indignities which are alleged to have been heaped upon
Christ. Neither could we for one moment imagine Paul advising his
disciples when anyone smote them on one cheek to offer them the
other. Paul introduced by his personal character a certain amount
of boldness and energy into the Christian propaganda, and by the
character of his mind he largely modified the Christian system.

http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/charles_watts/christianity_and_civilization.html