Which accusations against Christians did the Apologists attempt to refute?

The Christian Apologists of the 2nd century sought to defend the faith against both intellectual attacks and popular rumors that cast Christians as a threat to the established order. They worked to refute several scandalous and spurious accusations, including:12

• Atheism: Christians were frequently accused of being atheists because they denied the existence of the Roman gods and refused to participate in state-sanctioned cults or offer sacrifices to the emperor.234
• Cannibalism: Due to the secrecy surrounding the Eucharist—specifically the use of the terms "body" and "blood"—popular gossip alleged that Christians practiced cannibalism.34
• Promiscuity and Incest: Because Christians referred to one another as "brother" or "sister" while living as husband and wife, they were falsely accused of engaging in sexual orgies and incestuous relationships.34
• Hatred of Mankind: Christians were often viewed with suspicion for their social aloofness, their perceived detachment from family and community, and their obscure, private meetings.23

By addressing these charges, the Apologists aimed to demonstrate that Christianity was morally superior to paganism and intellectually compatible with the philosophical sensibilities of their time.23