Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful. --Lucius?

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful. --Lucius --Lucius Annaeus Seneca (Roman philosopher, 1st century ADHow relevant is this statement today? Asked by Maximum20Characters 16 months ago Similar questions: Religion regarded common people true wise false rulers Lucius Society > story.

Similar questions: Religion regarded common people true wise false rulers Lucius.

Brilliant observation for the 1st Century AD/CE. Today, there is still a lot of truth to it. But, I find that with the advent of "reform" movements in a number of major religions, it is erroneous to assume that all adherents are unwise.

Similarly, it is equally shaky in modern societies to imply that the "common people" are all unwise. The reform movement has only just begun in Islam. The Cordoba Initiative, represented by the controversial, proposed mosque in Downtown NYC, would be an example of this.

Reform and Conservative Judaism are also relatively recent developments as a result of the Enlightenment and Emancipation that followed the French Revolution. Reform integrates post-Enlightenment secular knowledge and life with religious beliefs. Just as reform initiatives in Islam follow those in Judaism, so too reform in Judaism followed the lead of similar initiatives within Christianity.

Of course, this is not to say that, in part as a result of this, there hasn’t been change and integration with modernity even within religious denominations that are not considered part of these reform movements--e.g. , progressive change in Catholicism as well as Modern Orthodoxy within Judaism. Bottom line, to my thinking, it would be unduly aristocratic, arrogant, and flawed to imply Lucius Annaeus Seneca’s saying were true today. Btw, Lucius makes 3 assertions.

My take applies only to the first two. The 3rd assertion (religion is regarded by rulers as useful) is probably a truth for all time. Having just said all that, Askville can often be a perfect petri dish for aristocratic, arrogant, and flawed propositions... :) Sources: Years of religious study .

Religion means Belief, And its not what "i" say its what The Holy Bible very clearly says... There is A passage in Psalms 14:1 and 53:1 that reads the fool has said in there heart there is no God. In Today's world like the times before the flood, as it reads in Daniel 12:4..Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Also it was in Christ's time, in 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.1:20 Where is the wise?

Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Today is no different, PLEASE READ These Words of Warning: 2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Find out more free Bible Lessons www.vop.com or www.amazingfacts.com Have A fantastic Forever.

Sources: The Holy Bible .

It's very true because most people have a very wrong idea of what religion actually is. "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). So get out there and go help someone..

1 It serves a purpose even if you don't like religion. Unless you desire anarchy This user has been banned from Askville.

1 It serves a purpose even if you don't like religion. Unless you desire anarchy .

It serves a purpose even if you don't like religion. Unless you desire anarchy.

2 I know many extremely "wise" people who believe in religion, so I'm not so sure this statement is even true. It implies "common" people are stupid, which is an arrogant statement. I would disregard that statement as a biased personal opinion, even if it's a personal opinion of a wise man.

I know many extremely "wise" people who believe in religion, so I'm not so sure this statement is even true. It implies "common" people are stupid, which is an arrogant statement. I would disregard that statement as a biased personal opinion, even if it's a personal opinion of a wise man.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.