Changes

86:7.3 But these [[ancient]] [[ideas]] of [[religion]] prevented men from becoming fatalistic and hopelessly pessimistic; they believed they could at least do something to [[influence]] [[fate]]. The [[religion]] of [[ghost]] [[fear]] impressed upon men that they must [[regulate]] their [[conduct]], that there was a supermaterial world which was in [[control]] of [[human]] [[destiny]].

86:7.3 But these [[ancient]] [[ideas]] of [[religion]] prevented men from becoming fatalistic and hopelessly pessimistic; they believed they could at least do something to [[influence]] [[fate]]. The [[religion]] of [[ghost]] [[fear]] impressed upon men that they must [[regulate]] their [[conduct]], that there was a supermaterial world which was in [[control]] of [[human]] [[destiny]].

86:7.4 [[Modern]] civilized [[races]] are just emerging from [[ghost]] [[fear]] as an [[explanation]] of [[luck]] and the commonplace inequalities of [[existence]]. [[Mankind]] is achieving [[emancipation]] from the [[bondage]] of the [[ghost]]-spirit [[explanation]] of ill [[luck]]. But while men are giving up the erroneous [[doctrine]] of a spirit [[cause]] of the [[vicissitudes]] of life, they exhibit a surprising willingness to [[accept]] an almost equally fallacious teaching which bids them attribute all [[human]] inequalities to [[political]] misadaptation, [[social]] [[injustice]], and industrial [[competition]]. But new [[legislation]], increasing [[philanthropy]], and more industrial reorganization, however [[good]] in and of themselves, will not remedy the [[facts]] of [[birth]] and the [[accidents]] of living. Only [[comprehension]] of [[facts]] and [[wise]] [[manipulation]] within the laws of [[nature]] will enable man to get what he wants and to avoid what he does not want. [[Scientific]] [[knowledge]], leading to scientific [[action]], is the only antidote for so-called accidental ills.

86:7.4 [[Modern]] civilized [[races]] are just emerging from [[ghost]] [[fear]] as an [[explanation]] of [[luck]] and the commonplace inequalities of [[existence]]. [[Mankind]] is achieving [[emancipation]] from the [[bondage]] of the [[ghost]]-spirit [[explanation]] of ill [[luck]]. But while men are giving up the erroneous [[doctrine]] of a spirit [[cause]] of the [[vicissitudes]] of life, they exhibit a surprising willingness to [[accept]] an almost equally fallacious teaching which bids them attribute all [[human]] inequalities to [[political]] misadaptation, [[social]] injustice]], and industrial [[competition]]. But new [[legislation]], increasing [[philanthropy]], and more industrial reorganization, however [[good]] in and of themselves, will not remedy the [[facts]] of [[birth]] and the [[accidents]] of living. Only [[comprehension]] of [[facts]] and [[wise]] [[manipulation]] within the laws of [[nature]] will enable man to get what he wants and to avoid what he does not want. [[Scientific]] [[knowledge]], leading to scientific [[action]], is the only antidote for so-called accidental ills.

86:7.5 [[Industry]], [[war]], [[slavery]], and civil [[government]] arose in [[response]] to the [[social]] [[evolution]] of man in his [[natural]] [[environment]]; [[religion]] similarly arose as his [[response]] to the [[illusory]] [[environment]] of the imaginary [[ghost]] world. Religion was an evolutionary [[development]] of [[self]]-[[maintenance]], and it has worked, notwithstanding that it was originally erroneous in [[concept]] and utterly illogical.

86:7.5 [[Industry]], [[war]], [[slavery]], and civil [[government]] arose in [[response]] to the [[social]] [[evolution]] of man in his [[natural]] [[environment]]; [[religion]] similarly arose as his [[response]] to the [[illusory]] [[environment]] of the imaginary [[ghost]] world. Religion was an evolutionary [[development]] of [[self]]-[[maintenance]], and it has worked, notwithstanding that it was originally erroneous in [[concept]] and utterly illogical.