I was reading a book on theology. At one point it writes, "In fact, we do not have to wait that long to see Roman power fulfilling the role of protector of the Christians. Thus already in 35, on the basis of a report sent to him by Pilate, the Emperor Tiberius proposed to the senate that Christ should be recognised as a god[sic]. The senate refused this request, and declared that Christianity was an 'illicit superstition'; but Tiberius ignored this and imposed a veto on any accusations being brought against the Christians in the future."
Is this true? That Tiberius thought it appropriate for Jesus to be worshipped as a pagan deity? I tried to search this claim on google and only found something about Christianity being recognized as a legitimate religion. I imagine that meaning Christ could be worshipped among other pagan deities as one of them. Is that so?
Your book's probably referencing Tertuillian's Apology, chapter 5:
Accordingly Tiberius, in whose time the Christian name first made its appearance in the world, laid before the senate tidings from Syria Palaestina which had revealed to him the truth of the divinity there manifested, and supported the motion by his own vote to begin with. The senate rejected it because it had not itself given its approval. Caesar held to his own opinion and threatened danger to the accusers of the Christians.
This isn't attested in any other sources, neither pagan nor (as far as I'm aware) Christian, and no classical historian holds it to be fact. Justin Martyr in the mid-second century does say "You may know [about Jesus' deeds] from the 'Acts' made in the time of Pontius Pilate," which points to some report from Pilate, but not even he mentions Tiberius reacting to it in any way.
I'm curious - which book of theology, name and author, did you find this claim in?