What Is The Relationship Between Epicurean Philosophy And Religion?

There is probably no more well-known statement in Epicurean Philosophy than Lucretius' "Tantum portuit religio suadere malorum," which is roughly translated to the effect "So great is the power of religion to persuade toward evil." The hostility of the ancient Epicureans toward what they considered to be false religion can hardly be overstated.

On the other hand, the question ultimately turns on the definition assigned to the word "religion." If "religion" is considered to be any sincerely held belief about the nature of divine beings, then a strong argument could be made that the opinions of the ancient Epicureans were as significant to them as any "religion" could possibly be.

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