Necessity of Religion

THENECESSITYOFRELIGION.

OWING to the confusion introduced by false theories about god and the universe, modern thinkers have puzzled themselves and others as well by inventing at least forty different definitions of religion some of the true but narrow and inadequate, others false in proportion to the amount of falsity which exists in their system. With all these variations we need not concern ourselves here. In the foregoing articles we have maintained and proved that god exists as a personal being, , creator and ruler of the world . It follows from this, first,that God is in himself a wonderful being, worthy of all admiration and respect;
secondly, that he is the author of our existence that we are  the work of His hand,and therefore we belong to him in a far deeper sense than a picture belongs to the artist who has painted it. Thirdly,since we are not mere things but persons, He stands to us as our lord and master,to whom we owe acknowledgment and service. Fourthly,God has conveyed his will to us through the voice of conscience, and therefore our service must consist in obedience  to the dictates of conscience. Fifthly, since it is unthinkable that God should publish this law and yet be indifferent whether we observe it or not, we recognise that God must be our judge, the rewarder of the just and punisher of the wicked if not in this life,at least after this life has come to an end. It is this groundwork of thought which gives rise  to religion not only as a logical outcome of it in the mind,but also as a practical outcome of it in conduct.

RELIGIOUSWORSHIP

In all the ordinary affairs of life it is understood that practical effect sought to follow on intellectual convictions. if we believe that George V is our king,we do not rest in a mere abstract acknowledgment of the  fact,but proceed to pay him our allegiance and, where occasion offers,our respect,honour and obedience. If we acknowledge the law of the land we do not ignore it,but conform our conduct there to; otherwise we are bad citizens. If we are under a master we do not only acknowledge his title, but also show him respect and carryout his will. If any person has conferred on us a signal benefit, we don't take it coldly as a matter of course, but always entertain feelings of gratitude, and try to show our gratitude in anyway we are able. If we come across a great and noble and cleverman, we don't remain unaffected, but take occasion to show our appreciation of his qualities, to drink in his teaching and to imitate his example. This kind of practical response, which pervades all relations without fellow beings,is just as natural and ought to be just as instinctive when we pass from man to God. As an infinitely perfect being He commands our admiration, respect and reverence far more than any merely human being. As the source of our very existence, the author of all we are and all we have, He is supremely our benefactor, and therefore commands our highest gratitude. It is therefore not only the most natural thing in the world, but also the most imperatively proper thing in the world,that we should cherish these sentiments of admiration, praise, reverence and gratitude towards God;and these sentiments, when put into expression, constitute that part of religion which is called worship.