The Etymology of Religion
Sally F. Hoyt
History
Journal of the American Oriental Society
TmE Oxford Dictionary says, The connection of the word religion with religare, to bind, has usually been favored by modern writers. This etymology, given by the Roman grammarian (end of 4th cent. A. D.) Servius (Relligio, id est metus ab eo quod mentem religet, dicta religio)' was supported by the Christian philosopher Lactantius (about 313 A. D.) who quotes the expression of the celebrated Roman philosophical poet Lucretius (c. 96 to 55 B. C.):2 religionum animum nodis exsolvere, in proof that he considered ligare, to bind, to be the root of religion.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
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