Why did the Romans persecute, or mistreat, Christians?

Beginning in the 1st century AD, Christians were persecuted in the Roman Empire for the majority of its history. Christians despised pagan rituals such as making offerings to deified emperors or 'other gods,' as their teachings forbade idolatry.

Explanation:

“i think it is very plausible that if there are five votes to end the death penalty, it could be with the people who are on the court right now,” - smith

so basically it is not clearly and consistently imposed

the passage of a strict fugitive slave law