290 ESSAYS OF A BIOLOGIST 



which takes one idea or thing as symbolic of another 

 because there is some degree of similarity between 

 the two and the first is more familiar, and the 

 scientific symbolism which strives to find a scien- 

 tific counter, so to speak, which shall represent 

 particular phenomena as closely as possible, and them 

 alone. 



Not only this, but religion unillumined by reason 

 degenerates into an evil thing. Religion seems to be 

 a natural activity and need of the average human mind. 

 But when its more primitive components are allowed 

 to dominate, when the instinctive and the emotional 

 in it are unchecked by reflection and rational thought, 

 then, as history too clearly shows us, it becomes a cruel 

 and obstructive power. So it could come about that 

 to the fine mind of Lucretius, the religion that he 

 knew was the greatest enemy : — 



* Quae caput a caeli regionibus ostendebat 

 Horribili super aspecta mortalibus instans.' 



And he replies to the charge of impiety by pointing 

 to the foul deeds perpetrated by religion : — 



* — Quod contra saepius ilia 

 Religio peperit scelerosa atque impia facta.' 



Many another thinker and reformer has felt the same. 



There are those who, like Jung, believe that religion 



is an illusion but also a necessity to the bulk of mankind, 



and therefore should be encouraged. But the broader 



