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Originally Posted by Sen
Not sure this is the thread for this, but I thought I'd respond to this specific comment. The idea that government and religion are completely mutually exclusive is a fairly recent concept in American History, beginning in the 1950's and 60's. Why do you think there are Bible verses inscribed in stone all over Washington DC? Why did the Supreme Court quote the Bible in rulings for the early part of our country's history? Why did the founding fathers so liberally use scripture as justification for doing things the way they did?
Again, probably a subject for a separate thread, but just something to think about. (and yes, I'm aware of Jefferson's letter where the whole subject of a wall of separation of church and state originated.)
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The most succint answer I can give you in this thread is because all of those people needed to hinge their ideas on an authority the people at the time would listen to. In the case of the earliest people you wonder about, their projects were in direct contradiction to other traditional authorities.
Should we conclude that they believed in what they were quoting or merely machiavellian in their habits?
I don't see anything today that would detract from the notion that those in power will use whatever beliefs those under them will listen to in order to maintain their priviledged positions--regardless of their personal beliefs.