RATIONALISM AND IDEA OF GOD 227 



sj^tem based on revelation or on the pushing of un- 

 supported premisses concerning the nature of God 

 to their complete logical conclusions is bound to 

 result in some degree of hostility to the pursuit of 

 truth for its own sake ; whereas a religious system 

 basing itself on scientific method, while it must 

 resign itself to being unable to produce a complete, 

 ready-made, and immutable scheme, however beloved 

 of the multitude (and indeed so beloved because it 

 satisfies a lower and more primitive mode of thinking 

 only), on the other hand can be assured that its know- 

 ledge and effectiveness will increase, and that con- 

 tradictions will resolve themselves, provided that 

 free inquiry, free speech, and tolerance are allowed 

 and practised. Attempts to reconcile the old formula- 

 tion with the new facts and ideas, when not insincere, 

 are doomed to failure because the premisses of the 

 two systems are different. -«' 



In conclusion, we may perhaps point out some 

 of the bearings of such a change. In the first place, 

 the change in our conception of God necessitates the 

 stressing of religious experience as such, as against belief 

 in particular dogma, or in the efficacy of special ritual. 



Secondly, it emphasizes the need for tolerance and 

 enlightenment. The scientific view asserts not that 

 its knowledge is absolute or complete, but that, 

 although relative and partial, it will indubitably 

 continue to grow harmoniously along the general 

 lines already laid down. 



