Acts 17 religious or superstitious?

[Pergamum]

Acts 17:

Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;




In your opinion was Paul using their religiousity as a starting point, or was he condemning them as "altogether too superstitious" at this point?

Is this verse primarily negative, and an insult? Or an observation of rapport to gain the audiences attention and then bring them to higher truth?



And how does this instruct us in addressing unbelievers?

 

[Prufrock]

Perg, here's a thread from this past May which you might find helpful.

 

[Pergamum]

Ha ha, wow, almost word for word my own question! I should have paid more attention last May!