Do you agree with the following quote? read on?

Question

Religion is regarded by the common people as true; by the wise as false; and by rulers as useful.

Why or why not?

to the poster jesuslover the catholic church at one time thought the sun revolved around the earth and that the earth was flat so your point is clearly flawed

Answer 1

A really good question that could raise a lot of debate. Common people as true...most likely because it's what they've been taught all their lives.
Wise as false...the bible leaves a lot of room for scholars to analyze it to death, so much that they can't seem to agree on most of it therefore essentially rendering it not to be true because they can't prove it.
Rulers as useful...because it can help manipulate people to be obedient for fear of doing wrong in the eyes of God.

Answer 2

I disagree. Although, the bible does state that it is easier for a common person to believe- then for a financially well off or "educated" person for several reasons.

I do not agree that a truly wise person can disregard religion or not believe in an afterlife ("Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"- I know this isn't word for word, but I've got the concept down.). Also, a wise person, looks beyond today, and tends to think about many many things, such as, death, afterlife, etc.). In regards to science and proving the Bible- it has been done. And different aetheistic theories regarding evolution should never be examined alone. People should take a look at the person behind the theory. Did Darwin want to withdraw his theory later in life? That is the question we should be examining more closely! So, no religion is not regarded by the wise as false.

Also, I don't think rulers like religion very much. Of course, I do not regard the Crusades as religion that was merely an attempt to expand an empire. I cannot begin to list how many rulers tried to eradicate religion from their kingdoms and provinces. Rome, Germany, Russia, and so on! These places all have a rich history of rulers against religion.

I'm having a hard time understanding why someone WOULD agree with this quote. It was obviously made by an unbelievably ignorant person. Although I can understand why someone would want to know the general public's opinion on this. Religion is a controversial topic. I'm suprised to see the lack of response on this one!

Answer 3

Agree.

Religion's purpose is to explain occurances. Naturally, one who believes in a religion is doing what that religion intended;therefore they are common. The wise are not common and as a results say religion is false; thus making them not common which means wise is a possibility. Rulers find religion useful because just as ferdinand and Isabella united together, The only common thing shared was religion. Where would spain be today if those rulers did not find religion useful and use it the way they did

Answer 4

That is by Lucius Annaeus Seneca and I think we should take into consideration who he was and what time period he lived in. It is a perfectly accurate quote to sum up the attitudes of the Roman cults, especially that of the Cult of the Emperor which was used as a means to keep the rule.

Seneca was a stoic, which is a philosophical religion like the deism of the US founding Fathers. So it is not as if Seneca is condemning all "religions", rather just those ones that are based on superstition and untruths. On that everyone should agree that such religions should be seen with contempt.

However Seneca would say that we are to follow after truth with intent of the will and reason, never letting our passions get in the way.

It is interesting to note that Lactantius, who influenced Seneca was a convert to Catholicism. There is also a certain indication that Seneca might have converted himself, a belief that was held by the early humanists.

Answer 5

No, that's how the typical cynical, conceited atheist would look at religion. Many of the smartest people of history have believed in a religion of some sort. Just for Christianty, you have some of the greatest scientists of all time like Newton, Kelvin, Faraday, Pascal, Galileo, Kepler.

There are too many notable Christian authors to list, but two famous and well-regarded ones are C.S. Lewis and J.R. Tolkien.

And of course, there are notable Christians in every area of life. None of these people could honestly be considered stupid or unwise except by foolish atheists who want to make anyone who isn't an atheist to be stupid.

Answer 6

I completely agree. Common people are easily brainwashed into believing anything, whether it's actually true or not. As long as they think it will make their life or afterlife better, then it's worth it to them. Wise people don't need it and can see through it's lies. Rulers love it because they can use it to control the common people. Very good quote.

(About the post above mine, Einstein didn't believe in a personal god)

Answer 7

Any faith could be criticised by making use of the remoted quoting of a few strains of their textual content fabric ... the Christian Bible demands some fantastically weird and wonderful stuff - i do no longer think of you ought to assert all Christians are baby molesters or murderers of ladies persons for donning the incorrect clothing. i've got faith this archives superhighway-internet site isn't, possibly, the main independent one to decide Islamic rhetoric. the main significant subject with non secular textual content fabric is they are under no circumstances (or not often) as much as date ... while Bible/Koran 2.0 is released i would be happy to think again. replace FOLLOWING inner maximum MESSAGE I did examine the links formerly answering and that i stand by making use of my fact approximately analyzing in isolation and the shortcoming of a renowned context. in case you examine my previous solutions then you truly will see that i'm particularly happy for persons to have their very own comments whether fallacious ... you're making a fact of actuality ("Islam is definitely a terrorist faith") with out any thorough communicate. You asked a question "will you compromise" ... assuming you help freedom of speech and democracy i assume you're content fabric for persons to disagree. i'm particular if costs have been taken from the Bible and this question replace into published on an Islamic bulletin board there could be a opposite place taken. actuality is perspective ... yours is just one (and no i'm no longer Islamic or maybe non secular and that i do think of terrorism is reprehensible in all its varieties). Peace out

Answer 8

No, common people generally dont care abour religion unless there's reason for a party. There are many and have been many wise men and women who have been believers but rulers do tend to like to use religion against people.

Answer 9

To the first two, even the Apostle Paul would agree, as he wrote in I Corinthians 1:25 that God has called the weak, foolish, base and despised of the world to confound the wisdom of the wise. As to the latter, President Bush would gleefully concur, as his entire base are the blind religious, deceived, apostate followers of a false Christianity.

Answer 10

Religion helps people make sense of the mysteries of life...Wise people know the limitations of religion (for example, there are Good as well as Not so Good Christians, and there are Good Muslims and Not So Good Muslims...and Good Hindus and Not So Good Hindus...you get the point)...and rulers know that if they embrace a religion, that they can inspire their constituents to follow their rule.

Answer 11

I could say ,, " He walks his dog RELIGIOUSLY... or She RELIGIOUSLY puts raisins in her oatmeal .
What I'm getting at is the use of the word.. First Religiously would mean "continuously" or "always" Second, Tell me why there are so many different religions but only one GOD. That would tell me that each religion worships God in a different fashion, or a different way, or by different methods, OR with a different BOOK that says something different... Each purported religion has different rules, But they serve the same God as the next religion... Did you ever wonder why Baptists, and Catholics both celebrate Christmas" Jesus' birthday. But both religions have different wording in their Bibles.? Both religions have a different mainstay, EX. Baptists say it is okay for a preacher to be married, but Catholics say their priest is not allowed to be married. The baptists and the catholics fight constantly. There are so many differences between the two , BUT THEY BOTH SUPPOSEDLY SERVE THE SAME GOD...
Do you have any clue why Jesus came to this Earth, in the first place? Probably not. Matthew 5:17-18 says (17) "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil (18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or or one tittle shall in NO WISE PASS FROM THE LAW, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED. If I were you I'd be worried that I was wrong, Now read Luke 13:3-4-5 (3) I TELL YOU, NAY: BUT, EXCEPT YE REPENT, YE SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH.. You read the other two, unless you don't believe in God ... Oh yeah and by the way The Bible also says that if you mislead other people in your words, and they die not repenting,, their blood is on your hands.. So all those people that agreed with you YOU WILL PAY FOR , UNLESS YOU GET THEM THE TRUTH. Jesus came to destroy the barriers between religions, so that all people would see their need for the one true GOD, THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, THE ONE WHO CREATED THIS EARTH AND EVERYTHING IN IT. YOU TOO , I'm just wondering what you will say to Him when He asks you to account for your life, Probably something like this. ,,,,,DUH,,,, His next words to you will be, Depart from me ye cursed... I knew you not. What fearful words to hear. I'm sure you'll believe then..... To late ... My question to you is What if you're WRONG?
Common people believe in God, The wise are people in their elder years, they know there's a God, and rulers ,,, well, Adolf Hitler DID NOT find religion useful .. But the Bible says that a nation shall elect a wise, religious leader.. One that knows God .
I'd be a little worried if I were you..
Remember even you can repent and change ... Just read James 1:26:27 I also CHALLENGE everyone else to read those two verses, If you dare......


In response to sadistdave You should read the whole chapter before making dumb remarks.... Paul is saying that to follow him in his ways, not himself,,, He is saying to the people , REPENT AND CHANGE YOUR WAYS AS I HAVE MY WAYS, Paul was once the biggest persecutor of Christians,named saul until he met Jesus, Then his name was changed to PAUL...