The Necessity of Religion

[Guest guest]

We can see it in its effects. It is the greatest motive power that

moves the human mind. No other ideal can put into us the same mass of

energy as the spiritual. So far as human history goes, it is obvious

to all of us that this has been the case and that its powers are not

dead. I do not deny that men, on simply utilitarian grounds, can be

very good and moral. There have been many great men in this world

perfectly sound, moral, and good, simply on utilitarian grounds. But

the world-movers, men who bring, as it were, a mass of magnetism into

the world, whose spirit works in hundreds and in thousands, whose

life ignites others with a spiritual fire--such men, we always find,

have that spiritual background. Their motive power came from

religion. Religion is the greatest motive power for realising that

infinite energy which is the birthright and nature of every man. In

building up character, in making for everything that is good and

great, in bringing peace to others and peace to one's own self,

religion is the highest motive power and, therefore, ought to be

studied from that standpoint. Religion must be studied on a broader

basis than formerly. All narrow, limited, fighting ideas of religion

have to go. All sect ideas and tribal or national ideas of religion

must be given up. That each tribe or nation should have its own

particular God and think that every other is wrong is a superstition

that should belong to the past. All such ideas must be abandoned.

 

As the human mind broadens, its spiritual steps broaden too. The time

has already come when a man cannot record a thought without its

reaching to all corners of the earth; by merely physical means, we

have come into touch with the whole world; so the future religions of

the world have to become as universal, as wide.

 

The religious ideals of the future must embrace all that exists in

the world and is good and great, and, at the same time, have infinite

scope for future development. All that was good in the past must be

preserved; and the doors must be kept open for future additions to

the already existing store. Religions must also be inclusive, and not

look down with contempt upon one another, because their particular

ideals of God are different. In my life I have seen a great many

spiritual men, a great many sensible persons, who did not believe in

God at all, that is to say, not in our sense of the word. Perhaps

they understood God better than we can ever do.

 

.... to be continued