On Athenagoras' "Plea for the Christians"

http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0205.htm

 The letter is started as voice from activists arguing for equal rights, with strong emotion---which is fit for the title "plea".

In chapter one, the author firstly gave examples of people sacrificing and worshiping their gods in different places and explained the necessity to have some gods to worship. Then he argued for the equal right of Christians to worship their God too.

"On the one hand, that to believe in no god at all is impious and wicked, and on the other, that it is necessary for each man to worship the gods he prefers, in order that through fear of the deity, men may be kept from wrong-doing. But why— for do not, like the multitude, be led astray by hearsay— why is a mere name odious to you? Names are not deserving of hatred: it is the unjust act that calls for penalty and punishment. "

 When reading these part, I feel it is like a well-orginized persuasion speech which arouse people's sympathy, as he stated that "the whole empire, under your intelligent sway, enjoys profound peace. But for us who are called Christians you have not in like manner cared; but although we commit no wrong...." He euphemistically condemmed the unjustness by  praising the peaceful and intelligent governing. This it something that may works.