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92:2.1 [[Religion]] is the most rigid and unyielding of all [[human]] [[institutions]], but it does tardily [[adjust]] to changing [[society]]. [[Eventually]], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary religion] does [[reflect]] the changing [[mores]], which, in turn, may have been affected by [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION revealed religion]. Slowly, surely, but grudgingly, does [[religion]] ([[worship]]) follow in the wake of [[wisdom]]—[[knowledge]] directed by experiential [[reason]] and [[illuminated]] by [[divine]] [[revelation]].

92:2.1 [[Religion]] is the most rigid and unyielding of all [[human]] [[institutions]], but it does tardily [[adjust]] to changing [[society]]. [[Eventually]], [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary religion] does [[reflect]] the changing [[mores]], which, in turn, may have been affected by [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:4._THE_GIFT_OF_REVELATION revealed religion]. Slowly, surely, but grudgingly, does [[religion]] ([[worship]]) follow in the wake of [[wisdom]]—[[knowledge]] directed by experiential [[reason]] and [[illuminated]] by [[divine]] [[revelation]].

92:2.2 [[Religion]] clings to the [[mores]]; that which was is [[ancient]] and supposedly [[sacred]]. For this reason and no other, stone implements [[persisted]] long into the age of bronze and iron. This [[statement]] is of [[record]]: " And if you will make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone, for, if you use your tools in making it, you have polluted it."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.20] Even today, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HInduism Hindus] kindle their [[altar]] fires by using a primitive fire drill. In the [[course]] of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary religion], novelty has always been regarded as [[sacrilege]]. The [[sacrament]] must consist, not of new and [[manufactured]] [[food]], but of the most primitive of viands: "The flesh roasted with fire and unleavened bread served with bitter herbs."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.12] All types of social usage and even [[legal]] [[procedures]] cling to the old forms.

92:2.2 [[Religion]] clings to the [[mores]]; that which was is [[ancient]] and supposedly [[sacred]]. For this reason and no other, stone implements [[persisted]] long into the age of bronze and iron. This [[statement]] is of [[record]]: " And if you will make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone, for, if you use your tools in making it, you have polluted it."[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.20] Even today, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HInduism Hindus] kindle their [[altar]] fires by using a primitive fire drill. In the [[course]] of [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary religion], novelty has always been regarded as [[sacrilege]]. The [[sacrament]] must consist, not of new and [[manufactured]] [[food]], but of the most primitive of viands: "The flesh roasted with fire and unleavened bread served with bitter herbs."[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Book_of_Exodus#Chapter_.12] All types of social usage and even [[legal]] [[procedures]] cling to the old forms.

92:2.3 When [[modern]] man [[wonders]] at the presentation of so much in the [[scriptures]] of [[different]] [[religions]] that may be regarded as [[obscene]], he should pause to [[consider]] that passing [[generations]] have feared to eliminate what their [[ancestors]] deemed to be [[holy]] and [[sacred]]. A great deal that one [[generation]] might look upon as [[obscene]], preceding generations have considered a part of their [[accepted]] [[mores]], even as approved [[religious]] [[rituals]]. A considerable amount of religious [[controversy]] has been occasioned by the never-ending attempts to [[reconcile]] olden but reprehensible [[practices]] with newly advanced [[reason]], to find plausible [[theories]] in justification of creedal perpetuation of [[ancient]] and outworn [[customs]].

92:2.3 When [[modern]] man [[wonders]] at the presentation of so much in the [[scriptures]] of [[different]] [[religions]] that may be regarded as [[obscene]], he should pause to [[consider]] that passing [[generations]] have feared to eliminate what their [[ancestors]] deemed to be [[holy]] and [[sacred]]. A great deal that one [[generation]] might look upon as [[obscene]], preceding generations have considered a part of their [[accepted]] [[mores]], even as approved [[religious]] [[rituals]]. A considerable amount of religious [[controversy]] has been occasioned by the never-ending attempts to [[reconcile]] olden but reprehensible [[practices]] with newly advanced [[reason]], to find plausible [[theories]] in justification of creedal perpetuation of [[ancient]] and outworn [[customs]].

92:2.4 But it is only foolish to attempt the too sudden [[acceleration]] of religious [[growth]]. A race or nation can only assimilate from any advanced [[religion]] that which is reasonably [[consistent]] and compatible with its current [[evolutionary]] [[status]], plus its [[genius]] for [[adaptation]]. [[Social]], climatic, [[political]], and [[economic]] conditions are all [[influential]] in determining the [[course]] and [[progress]] of [[religious]] [[evolution]]. Social [[morality]] is not determined by [[religion]], that is, by [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary religion]; rather are the forms of [[religion]] dictated by the racial [[morality]].

92:2.4 But it is only foolish to attempt the too sudden [[acceleration]] of religious [[growth]]. A race or nation can only assimilate from any advanced [[religion]] that which is reasonably [[consistent]] and compatible with its current [[evolutionary]] [[status]], plus its [[genius]] for [[adaptation]]. [[Social]], climatic, [[political]], and [[economic]] conditions are all [[influential]] in determining the [[course]] and [[progress]] of [[religious]] [[evolution]]. Social [[morality]] is not determined by [[religion]], that is, by [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary religion]; rather are the forms of [[religion]] dictated by the racial [[morality]].

92:2.5 Races of men only [[superficially]] [[accept]] a strange and new religion; they [[actually]] adjust it to their [[mores]] and old ways of believing. This is well [[illustrated]] by the example of a certain New Zealand [[tribe]] whose [[priests]], after nominally accepting [[Christianity]], professed to have received direct [[revelations]] from [[Gabriel]] to the [[effect]] that this selfsame [[tribe]] had become the [[chosen people]] of [[God]] and directing that they be permitted freely to indulge in loose [[sex]] relations and numerous other of their olden and reprehensible [[customs]]. And [[immediately]] all of the new-made Christians went over to this new and less exacting version of [[Christianity]].

92:2.5 Races of men only [[superficially]] [[accept]] a strange and new religion; they [[actually]] adjust it to their [[mores]] and old ways of believing. This is well [[illustrated]] by the example of a certain New Zealand [[tribe]] whose [[priests]], after nominally accepting [[Christianity]], professed to have received direct [[revelations]] from [[Gabriel]] to the [[effect]] that this selfsame [[tribe]] had become the [[chosen people]] of [[God]] and directing that they be permitted freely to indulge in loose [[sex]] relations and numerous other of their olden and reprehensible [[customs]]. And [[immediately]] all of the new-made Christians went over to this new and less exacting version of [[Christianity]].

92:2.6 [[Religion]] has at one time or another [[sanctioned]] all sorts of contrary and inconsistent [[behavior]], has at some time approved of practically all that is now regarded as immoral or sinful. [[Conscience]], untaught by [[experience]] and unaided by [[reason]], never has been, and never can be, a safe and unerring [[guide]] to human [[conduct]]. [[Conscience]] is not a [[divine]] [[voice]] speaking to the [[human]] [[soul]]. It is merely the sum [[total]] of the [[moral]] and [[ethical]] [[content]] of the [[mores]] of any current [[stage]] of [[existence]]; it simply [[represents]] the humanly conceived [[ideal]] of [[reaction]] in any given set of circumstances.

92:2.6 [[Religion]] has at one time or another [[sanctioned]] all sorts of contrary and inconsistent [[behavior]], has at some time approved of practically all that is now regarded as immoral or sinful. [[Conscience]], untaught by [[experience]] and unaided by [[reason]], never has been, and never can be, a safe and unerring [[guide]] to human [[conduct]]. [[Conscience]] is not a [[divine]] [[voice]] speaking to the [[human]] [[soul]]. It is merely the sum [[total]] of the [[moral]] and [[ethical]] [[content]] of the [[mores]] of any current [[stage]] of [[existence]]; it simply [[represents]] the humanly conceived [[ideal]] of [[reaction]] in any given set of circumstances.

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92 Go to Paper 92]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92 Go to Paper 92]</center>

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

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[[Category:Paper 92 - Later Evolution of Religion]]

[[Category:Paper 92 - Later Evolution of Religion]]