So as I was taught in school of God, so I believed. We do not have control over the entire universe, so we shouldnt dwell on things we have no control over. Christianity, based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, teaches love, compassion, charity, and forgiveness. Its unfortunate that someone with so little understanding about Jesus and the faith of HIS disciples offers so much about it. He taught his disciples that a man's happiness consisted in bringing himself into harmony with . In my view, instilling that sort of fear into children ought to condemned by wider society, though sadly it goes barely noticed. I wasnt even allowed to find out bad things about Christmas. At least by British standards, the Christianity Im familiar with is quite extreme. In this respect, Epicurus was the inventor of the catechetical method. One of the best ways to attain pleasure is to avoid pain, and the best way to do that is to live an easy life free from the hassles of life: We must therefore not [crave] for anything that is absent, for so we shall be less likely to miss it. Similarly, Epicureanism's popular meaning evokes a kind of . This was to satisfy an all-powerful God who cannot abide sin. They had managed to build themselves up to be strong and confident adults who knew how to live their own lives without being bogged down by external pressures or expectations. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. . Are you ultimately alone in the world, or does a divine being listen to your prayers and wishes? This is not a promise for the future. The term Stoic comes from the stoa, or porch, where students of Stoicism used to gather. Author of. For that to happen, God would have to work an act of grace inside the psychopath. However, the psychopath problem reveals a serious problem with Epicureanism. Id suggest you become a Catholic, read the gospels again, and let the magic work through the Eucharist and Holy Communion. 280), and derived its name from the painted portico at . An epicure is one who is extremely choice and delicate in his viands. The stoic has many friends, the Epicurean has none. Bravery certainly can fit within the Epicurean moral economy. Epicureanism has gotten a bad rap in modern times because of a misunderstanding of its basic tenets. Young-earth creationism, which denies biological evolution, natural selection, and the true age of the universe and the earth, is still a very prominent belief. It is true that our pre-natal non-existence never bothered us because we were not around to be bothered by it, but that non-existence was not going to go on forever; it came to an end eventually. Why Christianity, not Epicureanism, is the philosophy we need now, What Albert Camus (1913 1960) Got Wrong About Christianity. He believed that pleasure is the greatest good and the way to attain pleasure was to live modestly and to gain knowledge of the workings of the world and the limits of one's desires. Omissions? She has censured religion for using post-mortem existence as compensation for present life sufferings yet advances post-mortem non-existence as compensation for the suffering incurred by the anticipation of death in the present life. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'mindbydesign_io-leader-4','ezslot_19',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-mindbydesign_io-leader-4-0');As stoics, we accept that we can never really know what the future is going to bring. Scholars have identified the first as coming from the Cretica of the pre-Socratic philosopher-poet Epimenides ( fl. Whether we are interested in understanding Epicurean philosophy or want to learn how to live a better life, this website is full of information on the topic. Also I have come to the conclusion that hell is a For during the centuries-long contention between the two cosmologies, a large group on the Christian side has incorporated Epicureanism into itself and has mutated though still calling itself Christian into its own enemy. inevitably one faces the question, am I deserving of love? Other Christian parents I knew were far worse, banning their children from anything they claimed portrayed Christianity badly, be it Harry Potter for its Satanic influences or The Simpsons due to Ned Flanders ineptitude as a prominently Christian character. The said [Epicurean] Zeno opposed the disturbance of the community, and proposed that we should not mix ourselves up with the affairs of this life, nor engage in business, but live quiet lives on our own, each acting for himself.. Like it or not, were all going to die sooner or later. He also is the creator of the course in the history of Christianity for Lucent University and organises apologetics conferences at his local church. I fully agree with what you say. Especially. A Christian upbringing was also damaging in other ways. We should never feel constrained by the opinions and expectations of others. While they did hold pagan beliefs, most scholars now believe church . ; as opposed to the layman's understanding of hedonism eat, drink, and be merry. At the beginning of this blog, we noted how Wood admires Epicureanism because it calls on people to be brave in the face of their extinction in death. Christianity offers as much as Epicureanism and more when it comes to pleasure and suffering. Updates? ), and was one of the most popular schools of Hellenistic philosophy (together with Platonism and Stoicism).It was founded around 307 B.C.E., when Epicurus began to teach.He proposed that the ultimate goal of human life was happiness, and that the greatest good was to seek modest pleasures in . He graduated with a history degree from the University of Cambridge and holds two masters degrees and two doctorates: one from Trinity College and Seminary (USA) for a thesis in Christian philosophy and the other from De Montfort University (UK) for a thesis about the history of the First World War. The story of how these two came to divide between them the contemporary moral debate is fascinating. Unfortunately, intrinsically valuable humans do not emerge from valueless, unguided forces. I was never taught the arguments in favour of other religions, or even atheism. Christians largely regard the non-Christian world as fallen, and therefore inherently corrupting. Founded around 307 BC, the philosophy emerged originally as a challenge to Platonism. Epicureanism is a system of philosophy founded around 307 BC based upon the teachings of the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus. She also refutes the Stoic representation of Epicureanism as the uncontrolled and unprincipled seeking of pleasure. Some Christians would claim that Christianity, or at the very least formalised religion, is a pre-requisite for living a truly moral life, though that isnt a view held by all. Their religiosity was as whited sepulchres. The worst aspect of the blood sacrifice doctrine is its effects on children. Epicurean empiricism prefigured that of Locke, Berkeley, and Hume. Its largely a result of our innate sense of guilt. Epicureanism is a system of philosophy based upon the teachings of Epicurus, an old Greek Philosopher. Were Jesus Disciples a Bunch of Hoaxers? Did Epicureanism Advocate reasons and duties? On a metaphysical level, Epicureanism and Christianity fundamentally contravene each other. The psychopath may not be convinced any more by the idea of the image of God than the idea that inflicting pain is wrong. Your opening statement created strong judgments towards his view. Both these assurances reveal a contradiction in Woods thinking. This belief was not in the beginning the result of positive teaching. But the human race is still tribal, and religion is the outward and visible sign of it. I wont get into any obscure verses in the Old Testament; the Christian community is divided as to how to interpret those verses and their relevance for the modern day- a debate that ought to be resolved amongst Christians. Then, you can really dive into the great Mysteries of the Rosary . Stoicism taught them that struggle is no longer essential because it ultimately leads to success and happiness. there is an infinite number of worlds, some like this world, others unlike it. The exhibition of integrity in word and deed. I am not inherently good so am I worthy? Atheist Epicureanism does not accept the historical truth of the Genesis account, but whether or not it is true, because of it Christian belief cannot be described as one of pro-suffering and anti-pleasure. Death, however, is not to be feared because although we will experience dying, we do not experience our deaths as we are not conscious. The stoic has no fear of death, while the Epicurean struggles with being alone in the world. If you enjoyed this article Stoicism vs Epicureanism let us know by leaving a comment, sharing it or bookmarking it: Taking up the practice of the stoic philosophy is easier than it seems. While both leadership and motivation are important for any workplace, which ones more important? : the philosophy of Epicurus who subscribed to a hedonistic ethics that considered an imperturbable emotional calm the highest good and whose followers held intellectual pleasures superior to transient sensualism In the battle of philosophical ideas, its easy to pit Stoicism vs Epicureanism. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. So a stoic will study what they can control, and then focus on what happens in their life. (I dont know much about the Evangelical Church except for that Dallas Jenkins guy who produces/directs The Chosen is a member of that church, and a lot of them seem to convert to Judaism for some reason.) Either, God is incapable of stopping evil. other some. Its about being aware of yourself, your surroundings, and your moods. Or, maybe its that youve been trying for a while but arent, Read More The Science of Manifestation: How and why it worksContinue, Relying on one person for happiness is a dangerous game. My parents also had a very authoritarian parenting style, demanding my absolute obedience and not allowing me to question them. . On the other hand, Christianity is essentially about mankinds redemption from sin through the resurrection of Jesus, so that we may enjoy a direct relationship with God. The sketch below describes, first, Epicureanism and its antithetical relation to Christianity; then how, historically, Epicureanism came to form the modern outlook and even to influence Christianity itself; and finally, the contours of the moral debate between the Christian and the Epicurean today. We already know that the Stoics had much in common with the early Christians; not so the Epicureans, for whom lifes highest goal was individual pleasure. Relationship between Epicureans, Stoics, & Christians. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. Epicureanism and Christianity Norman DeWitt https://doi.org/10.3138/utq.14.3.250 Abstract PDF It has long been a fixed belief in the cultural tradition of western Europe that of the ancient moralities it is Stoicism that exhibits the closest affinity with Christianity. When the Visigoths sacked Rome in 410 AD, the Romans asked themselves what they had done wrong to cause this great humiliation. There may be gods, but their activities are inconsequential to life here on earth. UFOs and Christianity: What Hath Roswell to Do with Jerusalem? What Epicureanism means? Maybe some Christians see their religion through the prism of fear, and therefore feel they have to obey all the rules and regulations or be damned. Many people on the other hand are also very frightened of dying and being dead because the first can be very painful and the second appears to mean extinction or the possibility of an afterlife that is very unpleasant. Born in 341 BCE, only six years after Plato's death, Epicurus came of age at a good time to achieve influence. Ah, I thought, what if other peoples views are not true! The big brother, or sister, who stands up for a younger sibling against bullies is taking away the pain of being bullied. The reason I was attracted to, rather than repulsed, by Christianity was Jesus himself who was a rebel. Epicurus (c. 341-271 BC) was a Greek philosopher who believed that our ultimate truths come from what we experience, not what we think. Its up to each person to determine what he can control and what he cant and then to take action towards what is in his control. If anyone is reading this, do not hold to false ideas that God, who is all powerful can not help you. Epicureanism suggests leading a simplistic life with friends while the Stoic perspective is accepting life as it comes. By (initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of Epicurus or Epicureanism. No more blood sacrifice after Him. International Christianity is fostering a culture of authoritarianism, patriarchal gender norms, heavy-handed parenting, instilling fear into people, demanding the morally impossible, total and unquestioning submission to God, and in some cases, conspiracy theories, science denial and segregated lifestyles. Later when I was willing to accept maybe I had chosen to be gay not made, I would use the other form of denying God; I am to corrupted and far gone, my evil is to strong for you God to overcome, go help them others but leave me, you cant help me., So the first step of faith then is the denial of pride for heavenly aid. His goal was the achievement of tranquillity; the means to this goal was materialism. Many concluded that they ought to return to the worship of the traditional Roman gods who they thought were punishing them for embracing Christianity. Of utmost importance, however, is one point of divergence: the walls of the Stoics city are those of the world, and its law is that of reason; the limits of the Epicureans city are those of a garden, and the law is that of friendship. Maybe, the protagonists find it difficult to tolerate uncertainty and paradox. Immediately I searched to see if God said this gay thing was bad, because I trusted his goodness and maybe after all they where wrong? He said worship of the Greek gods and said the afterlife was nonsense. Dont let fear rule your life. Their view of death is that living organisms decompose into their constituent atoms and nothing more. With one eye looking toward Epicurus and one eye looking toward Jesus, it stumbles about, unable to see where it is going or where it has come from. This belief was not in the beginning the result of positive teaching. Its about accepting that you are, Read More Mindset vs Mindfulness: What is the differenceContinue, Understanding the difference between leadership and motivation is the key to leading and motivating your team members. In the case of Christianity, you have a god that demands perfection, knowing that humans are now incapable of obeying his every whim. On the contrary, Christian belief is about the restoration of friendship with God and each other and the restoration of the natural world made possible by the atoning death of God the Son incarnated as Jesus of Nazareth and his resurrection (John 3:16; Romans 8:19-21). was first and foremost a moral philosopher, not a natural philosopher. Smith's Bible Dictionary thus defines them: "The Stoics and Epicureans, who are mentioned together in Acts 17:28, represent the two opposite schools of practical philosophy which survived the fall of higher speculation in Greece. Those who hope to negotiate civil compromises to our societys major moral disagreements search in vain for middle ground or common ground on which we can all gather.