RATIONALISM AND IDEA OF GOD 231 



lamented. But, as a matter of fact, it is in full accord 

 with all we know of biological progress. Man has 

 attained his position of biological pre-eminence simply 

 and solely by virtue of the plasticity of his mind, 

 which substitutes infinitude of potentiality for the 

 limited range of actuality given by the instinctive 

 reactions of lower forms. Humanity will always 

 have some religion, and it will always be of the utmost 

 importance to man, both as individual and as species. 

 But the possibility of satisfying his religious tendencies 

 intellectually, emotionally, and morally, without rigid 

 creed, limited ritual, and iron-bound code of morals, 

 will mean the liberation of all that is best in religion 

 from too narrow shackles, and the lifting it on to a 

 plane where it may be not only more free, but more 

 rich. 



It is the task of Rationalism to see that religion, 

 this fundamental and important activity of man, shall 

 neither be allowed to continue in false or inadequate 

 forms, nor be stifled or starved, but made to help 

 humanity in a vigorous growth that is based on truth 

 and in constant contact with reality. 



{For bibliography, see the end (fthe next essay.) 



