730 Causes and Course of Organic Evolution 



theistic nationalities have gradually risen above those of lower 

 religious belief and practice. This primarily has not been 

 due to exterminating wars of the former on the latter, as 

 some might at first sight sujDpose. For the wholesale massacres 

 of Jenghiz Khan, of Timur, and other Mongol leaders with 

 their hordes of shamanistic followers have often been repeated 

 in other parts of the world, and by other religious fanatics. 



Rather it has resulted from the high moral standard of 

 nobler cogitic thought and action, combined with an even 

 higher spiritic or religious realization of love and obedience 

 to a great Power or governing Principle of the universe. These 

 together have given rise to a vigor, purity, elevation, and as- 

 piration in life relations, that have proved silent but sure dom- 

 inant qualities. 



Between the years 2000 to 200 B. C, therefore, there existed 

 temporarily or permanently five centers or foci for dissem- 

 ination of monotheistic religion. These were the Brahmanic 

 in India, the Zoroastrian in Medo-Persia, the Judaistic in 

 Palestine, the short-lived Amenhophic in Egypt, and the 

 Platonic in Greece. The first of these has influenced a large 

 group of mankind, but its polytheistic tendencies, its non- 

 progressive or stagnating character, its introspective rather 

 than extra-impressional methods, and above all its exclusive 

 caste regulations have been much more its weakness than 

 have these or other inherent features been its strength. 



The second, though now greatly restricted in the number 

 of its followers and in direct influence on human thought, 

 undoubtedly exerted a stimulating action from about 1000 

 B. C. to 300 A. D., that we now can scarcely estimate. For 

 the fundamental tenets of Mithraism, of Mazdaism, and even 

 of Judaism have all sprung from, been more or less influenced 

 by, or have been a part of Zoroastrian faith. With the know- 

 ledge even that we now have of Mithraism, it may in time 

 prove to be true that, from a primitive semi-helio theistic, 

 semi-monotheistic Mithraism, the Brahmanic, the Zoroastrian, 

 the Hebrew, and later the Mohammedan monotheism may 

 have been derived. If so, it would be proof that in religious. 



