The poor, common man needs to believe in a god.
The politician uses god to his benefit.
The wise man knows that a god does not exist.
What do you think?
2007-11-14 13:21:52 · 19 answers · asked by adello 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I bring this up because of the following quotes I found:
Bush: Senior, when running for President.
"I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."
Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.
Aristotle
A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side.
Epicures, 300 BC
The gods can either take away evil from the world and will not, or, being willing to do so, cannot; or they neither can nor will, or lastly, they are both able and willing. If they have the will to remove evil and cannot, then they are not omnipotent. If they can, but will not, than they are no
2007-11-14 13:34:25 · update #1
very true. That is why 3rd world countries and the illiterate are more religious than any other group of people. And yes, on the "politicians use god to their benefit" afterall ancient kings and roman emperors usually claimed to be direct sons of god (ie half god half man) that is where the half god half man jesus story came from. Also Darius one of the great kings of persia before judaism or even christianity came into existence, came into power after killing the kings and his relatives and hid it from the people. But in order to have his royalty legitimated, he claimed to be divinely appointed by god. He was called king of kings and lord of lords etc. Eventually over the years the people of the persian empire not only came to believe that he had divine approval, but they believed him to be god
2007-11-14 13:32:19 · answer #1 · answered by uz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are all poor people not wise? Do all wise men not believe in the existence of God? How do you determine if a man is wise or not? Your idea doesn't address these questions. I do, however, generally agree with the part about the politician.
2007-11-14 13:28:08 · answer #2 · answered by En79 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What do you think?
The poor, common man is believes in and is wise to understand God.
The corrupt politician uses God for his or her benefit.
The man tries to sound wise to other men and becomes a fool when he thinks there is no God.
2007-11-14 13:29:25 · answer #3 · answered by mlcros 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since I know that this idea comes from one of the great philosophers, I know that it is to be taken figuratively, not literally. If you try to take it literally of course it won't make sense. When you treat the politician, poor man, and wise man as abstractions instead of groups of people then the meaning becomes more clear...
You also have to realize that this applies to a time long before our own...
2007-11-14 13:35:52 · answer #4 · answered by Shinkirou Hasukage 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you have some of those mixed up...what do you think of this.
The poor, common man doesnt believe in God.
The politician uses God to his benefit.
The wise man knows God exists.
I dont know when the last time you went to church was but i dont see that many poor people there. In fact i usually see the poor and common men out working on Sundays, and sinning in other ways.
At least you got the politician part right though. 1 out of 3 isnt...hmm...well i guess it is bad.
2007-11-14 13:30:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think that the poor, common, politician, rich who chooses to believe, truly wise, smart, and most of the people on the planet were just insulted
2007-11-14 13:31:22 · answer #6 · answered by mel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since god does not exist, then those that know this are wise. As a result, those that believe that a god exist, being that he does not, cannot be wise about religion.
2007-11-14 13:42:03 · answer #7 · answered by wesomniman@verizon.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have to agree with that statement. If religious people had there way we would all still be living in the dark ages when people relied on the local witch doctor and now god has replaced that role.
2007-11-14 13:31:41 · answer #8 · answered by TSIRHC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This wise man knows that only a fool would say that God does not exist.
What do you think?
2007-11-14 13:28:56 · answer #9 · answered by God Fire 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nonsense! Everyone needs to believe in God, everyone uses God to his benefit and wise men understand that all things are possible only because of God.
2007-11-14 13:26:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anpadh 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋