Aristotle warned us about religion in politics

[Nightwing]

He said, "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 to move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side."

With the news of the Evangelicals demanding payback from Bush, I'd say Aristotle was right on the mark. What is truly amazing to me as a Catholic is that those that are supposed to know better, since they read the bible, attend services etc, do not. They serve the beast and themselves while forsaking all others. Their demise will come soon enough.

[Melodybe]

1. Damn if only fundies were educated

but they can't read, besides the Greeks were a bunch of no good homosexuals.

I love the Greek thinkers, that was the beginning of ration thought, literally.

[Viktor Runeberg]

2. "Ration thought"

... and thought has been rationed ever since!

Which book is Ari's quote from?

[Nightwing]

4. The passage is from Aristotle's "Politics"

And does it ever ring true in this nations "godly leader" aka Bush.

Here's two more quotes that are right on the money as well:

All religions are equally sublime to the ignorant, useful to the politician, and ridiculous to the philosopher.
- Lucretius, On the Nature of Things

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

Although I believe completely in the Almighty, I despise the way this administration and it's cohorts wield God like an anvil against all that disagree with them in any way.

[newyawker99]

5. Hi Victor Runeberg!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[pansypoo53219]

3. good thing we know

it's the devil on georgie's side.

[juliagoolia]

6. We have seen it before, and we've seen the results of it.

"The national government will maintain and defend the foundations on which the power of our nation rests. It will offer strong protection to Christianity as the very basis of our collective morality. Today Christians stand at the head of our country. We want to fill our culture again with the Christian spirit. We want to burn out all the recent immoral developments in literature, in the theatre, and in the press ... in short, we want to burn out the poison of immorality which has entered into our whole life and culture as a result of liberal excess during the past few years."

From The Speeches of Adolph Hitler, 1922-1939, Vol. 1, pg. 871-872
(London, Oxford University Press, 1942.)