more on this theme     |     more from this thinker     |     more from this text

Single Idea 2365

[filed under theme 29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 1. Religious Commitment / a. Religious Belief ]

Full Idea

In these four things - opinion of ghosts, ignorance of second causes, devotion towards what men fear, and taking of things casual for prognostics, consisteth the natural seed of religion.

Gist of Idea

Religion is built on ignorance and misinterpretation of what is unknown or frightening

Source

Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan [1651], 1.12)

Book Ref

Hobbes,Thomas: 'Leviathan', ed/tr. Macpherson,C.B. [Penguin 1981], p.172