Only in the last moment in history has the delusion arisen that people can flourish apart from the rest of the living world.
E. O. WilsonRead
It has served us well, this myth of Christ.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that the story of Christ, whether true or not, has benefitted society.
Pope Leo X's quote reflects on the role of the figure of Christ as a pivotal myth in shaping cultural and moral frameworks throughout history. It implies that religious narratives, regardless of their factual basis, can provide social cohesion, ethical guidance, and a sense of purpose to many individuals and communities, making their impact undeniably profound and beneficial to civilization.
Themes
MythChristSocietyReligionTruth
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the impact of religion on society, one could say, 'As Pope Leo X noted, it has served us well, this myth of Christ.'
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