The religion of the Athenians, of which they made great boast, was of no value, for it was destitute of the knowledge of the true God. It consisted, in great part, of art worship, and a round of dissipating amusement and festivities. It wanted the virtue of true goodness. Genuine religion gives men the victory over themselves; but a religion of mere intellect and taste is wanting in the qualities essential to raise its possessor above the evils of his nature, and to connect him with God. On the very stones of the altar in Athens this great want was expressed by the inscription, “To the Unknown God.” Yes; though boasting of their wisdom, wealth, and skill in art and science, the learned Athenians could but acknowledge that the great Ruler of the universe was unknown to them.{LP 91.1}

Athenernes religion, som de pralede af, havde ingen værdi, for den var blottet for kundskab til den sande Gud. For en stor del bestod den af kunstdyrkelse, og en række udsvævende fornøjelser og fester. Den manglede den sande godheds dydighed. Ægte religion giver mennesker sejr over sig selv; men blot en forstandsmæssig og smagsagtig religion er mangelfuld i det nødvendige at oprejse religionsudøveren over onderne i hans natur, og knytte ham til Gud. På athenernes altersten blev denne store mangel udtrykt ved inskriptionen: "Til den ukendte gud." Ja, skønt de praler af deres visdom, velstand og dygtighed i kunst og videnskab, kunne de lærte athenere blot indrømme at universets store Hersker var ukendt for dem.