The Science of Symbols; Setting Forth the True Reason for Symbolism & Ritual, Their Relation to the Teaching of Christ, & Their Necessary Adoption by - Softcover

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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX CONCLUSION OF further instances of religious sym,bolism (and all symbolism is religious), it is not my intention to write, for I have not the experience of the subject that would warrant my entering on so vast, so fascinating, but so special a sphere of research. I have tried to keep within those paths of criticism which it is anybody's privilege to tread, and to draw attention to the importance of studying this question because it affects the development, not only of our religious life and ritual but the wider thought of the world, which is fast out-growing the ecclesiastical tyranny that has so far dominated it. I do not rejoice that we should altogether so outgrow this restraint. It is true that we have come to regard religion as a vested interest, and to apologise for secular trespass on its preserves. Varieties of religious experiences have come to be treated scientifically as subjective phenomena--the professors who treat of them are judicially silent as to their ethical merits. Modern civilisation has somewhat contemptuously assigned Religion a distinct province between philosophy and the practical professions. It has been left to deal with only a part of life, and that a very small part. The fault is on both sides. Religion should deal with the whole of life, and not with only a part of it. Life cannot be sane or healthy till it is wholly religious; but Religion, as it presents itself to-day, fails to convince us that it can satisfy so large a claim. It demands an unreasoning sacrifice of intelligence which nobody above a certain pitch of intelligence can possibly consent to make. It still performs a great miracle, and gives eternal life to some, but its gift is so curiously conditioned, and is withal so inexplicable...

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