"The word “religion” (Latin “religio”) is a very old term and..." — Anton Sammut quote meaning

The word “religion” (Latin “religio”) is a very old term and, in fact, was already used in Roman times and was understood to portray a similar meaning by many other civilizations. For example, the Roman orator Cicero (106-43 BC) understood this term to mean “respect towards something of great importance”, somewhat similar to an obligation which man should reserve for gods. The Greek term “eusebeia” (reverence or fear of God) has a comparable meaning, whilst in the Arab and Persian world the same meaning is portrayed through the term “din”. The term “dharma” (Sanskrit) or “dhamma” (Pali), can translate into “that which mankind must embrace”. If one were to travel to China the term used would be “chiao” and “kyo” in Japan. This shows that the need for religion is not only culturally bound, but an inbuilt necessity which can be found in each human being throughout the ages.