| 92:3.1 The [[study]] of [[human]] [[religion]] is the [[examination]] of the [[fossil]]-bearing [[social]] strata of [[past]] ages. The [[mores]] of the [[anthropomorphic]] gods are a truthful [[reflection]] of the [[morals]] of the men who first conceived such [[deities]]. [[Ancient]] religions and [[mythology]] faithfully portray the [[beliefs]] and [[traditions]] of peoples long since lost in obscurity. These olden [[cult]] [[practices]] [[persist]] alongside newer [[economic]] [[customs]] and [[social]] evolutions and, of course, appear grossly inconsistent. The remnants of the [[cult]] present a true picture of the racial religions of the past. Always remember, the cults are formed, not to [[discover]] [[truth]], but rather to promulgate their creeds. | | 92:3.1 The [[study]] of [[human]] [[religion]] is the [[examination]] of the [[fossil]]-bearing [[social]] strata of [[past]] ages. The [[mores]] of the [[anthropomorphic]] gods are a truthful [[reflection]] of the [[morals]] of the men who first conceived such [[deities]]. [[Ancient]] religions and [[mythology]] faithfully portray the [[beliefs]] and [[traditions]] of peoples long since lost in obscurity. These olden [[cult]] [[practices]] [[persist]] alongside newer [[economic]] [[customs]] and [[social]] evolutions and, of course, appear grossly inconsistent. The remnants of the [[cult]] present a true picture of the racial religions of the past. Always remember, the cults are formed, not to [[discover]] [[truth]], but rather to promulgate their creeds. |
− | 92:3.2 [[Religion]] has always been largely a matter of rites, [[rituals]], observances, [[ceremonies]], and [[dogmas]]. It has usually become tainted with that [[persistently]] mischief-making [[error]], the [[chosen-people]] [[delusion]]. The cardinal religious [[ideas]] of [[incantation]], [[inspiration]], [[revelation]], propitiation, [[repentance]], [[atonement]], [[intercession]], [[sacrifice]], [[prayer]], [[confession]], [[worship]], [[survival]] after [[death]], [[sacrament]], [[ritual]], ransom, salvation, redemption, covenant, uncleanness, purification, [[prophecy]], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_sin original sin]—they all go back to the early times of primordial [[ghost]] [[fear]]. | + | 92:3.2 [[Religion]] has always been largely a matter of rites, [[rituals]], observances, [[ceremonies]], and [[dogmas]]. It has usually become tainted with that [[persistently]] mischief-making [[error]], the [[chosen-people]] [[delusion]]. The cardinal religious [[ideas]] of [[incantation]], [[inspiration]], [[revelation]], propitiation, [[repentance]], [[atonement]], [[intercession]], [[sacrifice]], [[prayer]], [[confession]], [[worship]], [[survival]] after [[death]], [[sacrament]], [[ritual]], ransom, salvation, redemption, covenant, uncleanness, purification, [[prophecy]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_sin original sin]—they all go back to the early times of primordial [[ghost]] [[fear]]. |
| 92:3.3 [[Primitive]] [[religion]] is nothing more nor less than the [[struggle]] for [[material]] [[existence]] extended to [[embrace]] existence beyond the grave. The [[observances]] of such a creed [[represented]] the extension of the [[self]]-[[maintenance]] struggle into the [[domain]] of an [[imagined]] ghost-spirit world. But when tempted to criticize evolutionary religion, be careful. Remember, that is what happened; it is a historical [[fact]]. And further recall that the [[power]] of any [[idea]] lies, not in its certainty or [[truth]], but rather in the vividness of its [[human]] [[appeal]]. | | 92:3.3 [[Primitive]] [[religion]] is nothing more nor less than the [[struggle]] for [[material]] [[existence]] extended to [[embrace]] existence beyond the grave. The [[observances]] of such a creed [[represented]] the extension of the [[self]]-[[maintenance]] struggle into the [[domain]] of an [[imagined]] ghost-spirit world. But when tempted to criticize evolutionary religion, be careful. Remember, that is what happened; it is a historical [[fact]]. And further recall that the [[power]] of any [[idea]] lies, not in its certainty or [[truth]], but rather in the vividness of its [[human]] [[appeal]]. |
| 92:3.4 Evolutionary [[religion]] makes no provision for [[change]] or revision; unlike [[science]], it does not provide for its own [[progressive]] [[correction]]. Evolved religion commands respect because its followers believe it is The Truth; "the faith once delivered to the saints"[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Letter_of_Jude] must, in [[theory]], be both final and infallible. The [[cult]] resists [[development]] because real [[progress]] is certain to [[modify]] or destroy the [[cult]] itself; therefore must revision always be forced upon it. | | 92:3.4 Evolutionary [[religion]] makes no provision for [[change]] or revision; unlike [[science]], it does not provide for its own [[progressive]] [[correction]]. Evolved religion commands respect because its followers believe it is The Truth; "the faith once delivered to the saints"[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Letter_of_Jude] must, in [[theory]], be both final and infallible. The [[cult]] resists [[development]] because real [[progress]] is certain to [[modify]] or destroy the [[cult]] itself; therefore must revision always be forced upon it. |
| 92:3.6 [[Religion]] has [[handicapped]] [[social]] [[development]] in many ways, but without religion there would have been no enduring [[morality]] nor [[ethics]], no worth-while [[civilization]]. [[Religion]] en[[mother]]ed much nonreligious [[culture]]: [[Sculpture]] originated in [[idol]] making, [[architecture]] in [[temple]] building, [[poetry]] in [[incantations]], [[music]] in [[worship]] [[chants]], [[drama]] in the acting for spirit [[guidance]], and [[dancing]] in the seasonal [[worship]] festivals. | | 92:3.6 [[Religion]] has [[handicapped]] [[social]] [[development]] in many ways, but without religion there would have been no enduring [[morality]] nor [[ethics]], no worth-while [[civilization]]. [[Religion]] en[[mother]]ed much nonreligious [[culture]]: [[Sculpture]] originated in [[idol]] making, [[architecture]] in [[temple]] building, [[poetry]] in [[incantations]], [[music]] in [[worship]] [[chants]], [[drama]] in the acting for spirit [[guidance]], and [[dancing]] in the seasonal [[worship]] festivals. |