Really, another "entertainment" venture gets our religion and its theology all wrong? What a surprise.
Crucifixion? Certainly other cultures – most notably, of course, the ancient Romans – have carried out this monstrous punishment on Christians (and others). But, student of the Middle Ages that I once was, I never heard of Christians perpetrating it themselves, even in the heart of the aptly-named Dark Ages, a particularly savage time in European history (not that human savagery has abated that much). Considering that Christ’s torturous death on the cross is at the very heart of the religion, it doesn’t even make theological sense that believers would turn around and inflict it themselves. That’s not to say that the Church throughout history hasn’t been guilty of other cruelties. But crucifixion?
From the same article:
"This is disappointing but predictable treatment of Christians onscreen. In a recent article (written prior to the crucifixion episode) entitled 'Vikings: A TV Series – and World? – Without Real Christians,' my friend Steve Pauwels urged the filmmakers to move beyond anti-Christian clichés. If they 'really wanted to take the innovative route,' Pauwels wrote, 'they’d feature an occasional Christian character who modeled strength of spirit and integrity.'"
Nah, that would be original. And accurate. That's no longer permitted in Hollywood.