Changes

91:0.3 When the [[concepts]] of [[ghosts]] and spirits evolved, these [[petitions]] became [[superhuman]] in address, and with the [[consciousness]] of [[gods]], such [[expressions]] [[attained]] to the levels of genuine [[prayer]]. As an [[illustration]] of this, among certain Australian [[tribes]] primitive religious [[prayers]] antedated their [[belief]] in spirits and [[superhuman]] [[personalities]].

91:0.3 When the [[concepts]] of [[ghosts]] and spirits evolved, these [[petitions]] became [[superhuman]] in address, and with the [[consciousness]] of [[gods]], such [[expressions]] [[attained]] to the levels of genuine [[prayer]]. As an [[illustration]] of this, among certain Australian [[tribes]] primitive religious [[prayers]] antedated their [[belief]] in spirits and [[superhuman]] [[personalities]].

91:0.4 The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toda_Tribe Toda] [[tribe]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India India] now [[observes]] this [[practice]] of praying to no one in particular, just as did the early peoples before the times of religious [[consciousness]]. Only, among the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toda_Tribe Todas], this [[represents]] a regression of their [[degenerating]] [[religion]] to this [[primitive]] level. The present-day [[rituals]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toda_Tribe#Religion dairymen priests] of the Todas do not [[represent]] a [[religious]] [[ceremony]] since these [[impersonal]] [[prayers]] do not contribute anything to the [[conservation]] or enhancement of any [[social]], [[moral]], or [[spiritual]] [[values]].

91:0.4 The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toda_Tribe Toda] [[tribe]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India India] now [[observes]] this [[practice]] of praying to no one in particular, just as did the early peoples before the times of religious [[consciousness]]. Only, among the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toda_Tribe Todas], this [[represents]] a regression of their [[degenerating]] [[religion]] to this [[primitive]] level. The present-day [[rituals]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toda_Tribe#Religion dairymen priests] of the Todas do not [[represent]] a [[religious]] [[ceremony]] since these [[impersonal]] [[prayers]] do not contribute anything to the [[conservation]] or enhancement of any [[social]], [[moral]], or [[spiritual]] [[values]].

91:0.5 Prereligious praying was part of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_religion#Tapu_and_mana mana practices] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanesia Melanesians], the [[oudah]] [[beliefs]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmy_peoples African Pygmies], and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitou manitou] [[superstitions]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Americas North American Indians]. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baganda Baganda] [[tribes]] of Africa have only recently emerged from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_religion#Tapu_and_mana mana] level of [[prayer]]. In this early [[evolutionary]] [[confusion]] men pray to gods—local and national—to [[fetishes]], amulets, [[ghosts]], rulers, and to ordinary people.

91:0.5 Prereligious praying was part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_religion#Tapu_and_mana mana practices] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanesia Melanesians], the [[oudah]] [[beliefs]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmy_peoples African Pygmies], and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitou manitou] [[superstitions]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Americas North American Indians]. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baganda Baganda] [[tribes]] of Africa have only recently emerged from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_religion#Tapu_and_mana mana] level of [[prayer]]. In this early [[evolutionary]] [[confusion]] men pray to gods—local and national—to [[fetishes]], amulets, [[ghosts]], rulers, and to ordinary people.

==91:1. PRIMITIVE PRAYER==

==91:1. PRIMITIVE PRAYER==

91:1.1 The [[function]] of early [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary religion] is to [[conserve]] and augment the [[essential]] [[social]], [[moral]], and [[spiritual]] [[values]] which are slowly taking [[form]]. This mission of [[religion]] is not [[consciously]] [[observed]] by [[mankind]], but it is chiefly [[effected]] by the [[function]] of [[prayer]]. The [[practice]] of prayer [[represents]] the unintended, but nonetheless [[personal]] and [[collective]], [[effort]] of any [[group]] to secure (to [[actualize]]) this conservation of higher [[values]]. But for the safeguarding of [[prayer]], all holy days would speedily revert to the [[status]] of mere holidays.

91:1.1 The [[function]] of early [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_92#92:3._THE_NATURE_OF_EVOLUTIONARY_RELIGION evolutionary religion] is to [[conserve]] and augment the [[essential]] [[social]], [[moral]], and [[spiritual]] [[values]] which are slowly taking [[form]]. This mission of [[religion]] is not [[consciously]] [[observed]] by [[mankind]], but it is chiefly [[effected]] by the [[function]] of [[prayer]]. The [[practice]] of prayer [[represents]] the unintended, but nonetheless [[personal]] and [[collective]], [[effort]] of any [[group]] to secure (to [[actualize]]) this conservation of higher [[values]]. But for the safeguarding of [[prayer]], all holy days would speedily revert to the [[status]] of mere holidays.

91:1.2 [[Religion]] and its [[agencies]], the chief of which is [[prayer]], are allied only with those [[values]] which have general [[social]] [[recognition]], group approval. Therefore, when [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_52#52:1._PRIMITIVE_MAN primitive man] attempted to gratify his baser [[emotions]] or to achieve unmitigated [[selfish]] [[ambitions]], he was deprived of the consolation of [[religion]] and the [[assistance]] of [[prayer]]. If the [[individual]] sought to accomplish anything antisocial, he was obliged to seek the aid of nonreligious [[magic]], resort to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maleficium_%28sorcery%29 sorcerers], and thus be deprived of the [[assistance]] of [[prayer]]. Prayer, therefore, very early became a mighty promoter of [[social]] [[evolution]], [[moral]] [[progress]], and [[spiritual]] [[attainment]].

91:1.2 [[Religion]] and its [[agencies]], the chief of which is [[prayer]], are allied only with those [[values]] which have general [[social]] [[recognition]], group approval. Therefore, when [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_52#52:1._PRIMITIVE_MAN primitive man] attempted to gratify his baser [[emotions]] or to achieve unmitigated [[selfish]] [[ambitions]], he was deprived of the consolation of [[religion]] and the [[assistance]] of [[prayer]]. If the [[individual]] sought to accomplish anything antisocial, he was obliged to seek the aid of nonreligious [[magic]], resort to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maleficium_%28sorcery%29 sorcerers], and thus be deprived of the [[assistance]] of [[prayer]]. Prayer, therefore, very early became a mighty promoter of [[social]] [[evolution]], [[moral]] [[progress]], and [[spiritual]] [[attainment]].

91:1.3 But the [[primitive]] [[mind]] was neither [[logical]] nor [[consistent]]. Early men did not [[perceive]] that [[material]] [[things]] were not the province of [[prayer]]. These [[simple]]-minded [[souls]] reasoned that [[food]], [[shelter]], rain, game, and other [[material]] goods enhanced the social welfare, and therefore they began to [[pray]] for these [[physical]] [[blessings]]. While this constituted a [[perversion]] of [[prayer]], it [[encouraged]] the [[effort]] to [[realize]] these material objectives by [[social]] and [[ethical]] [[actions]]. Such a [[prostitution]] of [[prayer]], while debasing the [[spiritual]] [[values]] of a people, nevertheless directly elevated their [[economic]], [[social]], and [[ethical]] [[mores]].

91:1.3 But the [[primitive]] [[mind]] was neither [[logical]] nor [[consistent]]. Early men did not [[perceive]] that [[material]] [[things]] were not the province of [[prayer]]. These [[simple]]-minded [[souls]] reasoned that [[food]], [[shelter]], rain, game, and other [[material]] goods enhanced the social welfare, and therefore they began to [[pray]] for these [[physical]] [[blessings]]. While this constituted a [[perversion]] of [[prayer]], it [[encouraged]] the [[effort]] to [[realize]] these material objectives by [[social]] and [[ethical]] [[actions]]. Such a [[prostitution]] of [[prayer]], while debasing the [[spiritual]] [[values]] of a people, nevertheless directly elevated their [[economic]], [[social]], and [[ethical]] [[mores]].

91:3.1 [[Children]], when first [[learning]] to make use of [[language]], are prone to [[think]] out loud, to [[express]] their [[thoughts]] in [[words]], even if no one is present to hear them. With the [[dawn]] of [[creative]] [[imagination]] they evince a [[tendency]] to converse with imaginary companions. In this way a budding [[ego]] seeks to hold [[communion]] with a fictitious [[alter ego]]. By this [[technique]] the child early learns to [[convert]] his monologue conversations into pseudo [[dialogues]] in which this [[alter ego]] makes replies to his verbal [[thinking]] and [[wish]] [[expression]]. Very much of an adult's [[thinking]] is mentally carried on in [[conversational]] [[form]].

91:3.1 [[Children]], when first [[learning]] to make use of [[language]], are prone to [[think]] out loud, to [[express]] their [[thoughts]] in [[words]], even if no one is present to hear them. With the [[dawn]] of [[creative]] [[imagination]] they evince a [[tendency]] to converse with imaginary companions. In this way a budding [[ego]] seeks to hold [[communion]] with a fictitious [[alter ego]]. By this [[technique]] the child early learns to [[convert]] his monologue conversations into pseudo [[dialogues]] in which this [[alter ego]] makes replies to his verbal [[thinking]] and [[wish]] [[expression]]. Very much of an adult's [[thinking]] is mentally carried on in [[conversational]] [[form]].

91:3.2 The early and [[primitive]] form of [[prayer]] was much like the semimagical [[recitations]] of the present-day [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toda_people Toda tribe], [[prayers]] that were not addressed to anyone in particular. But such [[techniques]] of praying tend to evolve into the [[dialogue]] type of [[communication]] by the [[emergence]] of the [[idea]] of an [[alter ego]]. In time the alter-ego [[concept]] is exalted to a superior [[status]] of [[divine]] [[dignity]], and [[prayer]] as an [[agency]] of [[religion]] has appeared. Through many [[phases]] and during long ages this [[primitive]] type of praying is destined to evolve before ''attaining'' the level of [[intelligent]] and truly ethical [[prayer]].

91:3.2 The early and [[primitive]] form of [[prayer]] was much like the semimagical [[recitations]] of the present-day [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toda_people Toda tribe], [[prayers]] that were not addressed to anyone in particular. But such [[techniques]] of praying tend to evolve into the [[dialogue]] type of [[communication]] by the [[emergence]] of the [[idea]] of an [[alter ego]]. In time the alter-ego [[concept]] is exalted to a superior [[status]] of [[divine]] [[dignity]], and [[prayer]] as an [[agency]] of [[religion]] has appeared. Through many [[phases]] and during long ages this [[primitive]] type of praying is destined to evolve before ''attaining'' the level of [[intelligent]] and truly ethical [[prayer]].

91:3.3 As it is conceived by [[successive]] [[generations]] of praying [[mortals]], the [[alter ego]] evolves up through [[ghosts]], [[fetishes]], and spirits to [[polytheistic]] gods, and [[eventually]] to the One [[God]], a [[divine]] [[being]] embodying the highest [[ideals]] and the loftiest [[aspirations]] of the praying [[ego]]. And thus does [[prayer]] [[function]] as the most [[potent]] [[agency]] of [[religion]] in the [[conservation]] of the highest [[values]] and [[ideals]] of those who pray. From the [[moment]] of the conceiving of an [[alter ego]] to the [[appearance]] of the [[concept]] of a [[divine]] and heavenly [[Father]], prayer is always a socializing, moralizing, and spiritualizing [[practice]].

91:3.3 As it is conceived by [[successive]] [[generations]] of praying [[mortals]], the [[alter ego]] evolves up through [[ghosts]], [[fetishes]], and spirits to [[polytheistic]] gods, and [[eventually]] to the One [[God]], a [[divine]] [[being]] embodying the highest [[ideals]] and the loftiest [[aspirations]] of the praying [[ego]]. And thus does [[prayer]] [[function]] as the most [[potent]] [[agency]] of [[religion]] in the [[conservation]] of the highest [[values]] and [[ideals]] of those who pray. From the [[moment]] of the conceiving of an [[alter ego]] to the [[appearance]] of the [[concept]] of a [[divine]] and heavenly [[Father]], prayer is always a socializing, moralizing, and spiritualizing [[practice]].

91:7.2 The great [[religious]] [[teachers]] and the [[prophets]] of [[past]] ages were not extreme [[mystics]]. They were [[God]]-knowing men and women who best served their [[God]] by unselfish [[ministry]] to their fellow [[mortals]]. [[Jesus]] often took his [[apostles]] away by themselves for short periods to [[engage]] in [[meditation]] and [[prayer]], but for the most part he kept them in [[service]]-[[contact]] with the multitudes. The [[soul]] of man requires [[spiritual]] [[exercise]] as well as spiritual nourishment.

91:7.2 The great [[religious]] [[teachers]] and the [[prophets]] of [[past]] ages were not extreme [[mystics]]. They were [[God]]-knowing men and women who best served their [[God]] by unselfish [[ministry]] to their fellow [[mortals]]. [[Jesus]] often took his [[apostles]] away by themselves for short periods to [[engage]] in [[meditation]] and [[prayer]], but for the most part he kept them in [[service]]-[[contact]] with the multitudes. The [[soul]] of man requires [[spiritual]] [[exercise]] as well as spiritual nourishment.

91:7.3 [[Religious]] [[ecstasy]] is permissible when resulting from [[sane]] antecedents, but such [[experiences]] are more often the outgrowth of [[purely]] [[emotional]] [[influences]] than a [[manifestation]] of deep [[spiritual]] [[character]]. Religious [[persons]] must not regard every vivid [[psychologic]] presentiment and every [[intense]] [[emotional]] [[experience]] as a [[divine]] [[revelation]] or a [[spiritual]] [[communication]]. Genuine [[spiritual]] [[ecstasy]] is usually [[associated]] with great outward [[calmness]] and almost [[perfect]] [[emotional]] [[control]]. But true [[prophetic]] [[vision]] is a superpsychologic presentiment. Such [[visitations]] are not pseudo [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucination hallucinations], neither are they [[Trance|trancelike]] ecstasies.

91:7.3 [[Religious]] [[ecstasy]] is permissible when resulting from [[sane]] antecedents, but such [[experiences]] are more often the outgrowth of [[purely]] [[emotional]] [[influences]] than a [[manifestation]] of deep [[spiritual]] [[character]]. Religious [[persons]] must not regard every vivid [[psychologic]] presentiment and every [[intense]] [[emotional]] [[experience]] as a [[divine]] [[revelation]] or a [[spiritual]] [[communication]]. Genuine [[spiritual]] [[ecstasy]] is usually [[associated]] with great outward [[calmness]] and almost [[perfect]] [[emotional]] [[control]]. But true [[prophetic]] [[vision]] is a superpsychologic presentiment. Such [[visitations]] are not pseudo [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucination hallucinations], neither are they [[Trance|trancelike]] ecstasies.

91:7.4 The [[human]] [[mind]] may [[perform]] in [[response]] to so-called [[inspiration]] when it is [[sensitive]] either to the uprisings of the [[subconscious]] or to the [[stimulus]] of the [[superconscious]]. In either case it [[appears]] to the [[individual]] that such augmentations of the [[content]] of [[consciousness]] are more or less foreign. Unrestrained mystical [[enthusiasm]] and rampant religious [[ecstasy]] are not the credentials of [[inspiration]], supposedly [[divine]] credentials.

91:7.4 The [[human]] [[mind]] may [[perform]] in [[response]] to so-called [[inspiration]] when it is [[sensitive]] either to the uprisings of the [[subconscious]] or to the [[stimulus]] of the [[superconscious]]. In either case it [[appears]] to the [[individual]] that such augmentations of the [[content]] of [[consciousness]] are more or less foreign. Unrestrained mystical [[enthusiasm]] and rampant religious [[ecstasy]] are not the credentials of [[inspiration]], supposedly [[divine]] credentials.

91:8.6 [[Prayer]] may be the childlike plea for the impossible or the [[mature]] entreaty for [[moral]] [[growth]] and [[spiritual]] [[power]]. A [[petition]] may be for daily bread or may embody a wholehearted yearning to find [[God]] and to [[do his will]]. It may be a wholly [[selfish]] request or a true and [[magnificent]] [[gesture]] toward the [[realization]] of [[unselfish]] brotherhood.

91:8.6 [[Prayer]] may be the childlike plea for the impossible or the [[mature]] entreaty for [[moral]] [[growth]] and [[spiritual]] [[power]]. A [[petition]] may be for daily bread or may embody a wholehearted yearning to find [[God]] and to [[do his will]]. It may be a wholly [[selfish]] request or a true and [[magnificent]] [[gesture]] toward the [[realization]] of [[unselfish]] brotherhood.

91:8.7 [[Prayer]] may be an [[angry]] cry for [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vengeance?show=0&t=1284134077 vengeance] or a [[merciful]] [[intercession]] for one's enemies. It may be the [[expression]] of a [[hope]] of changing [[God]] or the powerful [[technique]] of changing one's [[self]]. It may be the cringing [[plea]] of a lost sinner before a supposedly stern [[Judge]] or the [[joyful]] [[expression]] of a [[liberated]] son of the living and [[merciful]] heavenly [[Father]].

91:8.7 [[Prayer]] may be an [[angry]] cry for [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vengeance?show=0&t=1284134077 vengeance] or a [[merciful]] [[intercession]] for one's enemies. It may be the [[expression]] of a [[hope]] of changing [[God]] or the powerful [[technique]] of changing one's [[self]]. It may be the cringing [[plea]] of a lost sinner before a supposedly stern [[Judge]] or the [[joyful]] [[expression]] of a [[liberated]] son of the living and [[merciful]] heavenly [[Father]].

91:8.8 [[Modern]] man is [[perplexed]] by the [[thought]] of talking [[things]] over with [[God]] in a [[purely]] [[personal]] way. Many have abandoned regular praying; they only pray when under unusual [[pressure]]—in [[emergencies]]. Man should be unafraid to talk to [[God]], but only a spiritual child would undertake to [[persuade]], or presume to [[change]], [[God]].

91:8.8 [[Modern]] man is [[perplexed]] by the [[thought]] of talking [[things]] over with [[God]] in a [[purely]] [[personal]] way. Many have abandoned regular praying; they only pray when under unusual [[pressure]]—in [[emergencies]]. Man should be unafraid to talk to [[God]], but only a spiritual child would undertake to [[persuade]], or presume to [[change]], [[God]].