324 ORGANIC EVOLUTION CONSIDERED 



It would seem that there must be something funda- 

 mentally wrong in the structure of the universe when 

 it is necessary to systematically teach falsehoods in 

 the form of religion, for ages, inorder to elevate 

 man morally, religiously and intellectually. If this is 

 true for Eeligion, it is strange that the teaching of 

 untruth has not been best in Science. 



Mr. Spencer says again: "Indeed, were it not that 

 throughout the progress of the race, men's experi- 

 ences of the effects of conduct have been slowly gen- 

 eralized into principles — were it not that these princi- 

 ples have been from generation to generation insisted 

 on by parents, upheld by public opinion, sanctified by 

 religion, and enforced by threats of eternal damnation 

 for disobedience — were it not that under these potent 

 influences habits have been modified, and the feel- 

 ings proper to them made innate — were it not, in 

 short, that we have been rendered in a considerable 

 degree, organically moral; it is certain that disastrous 

 results would ensue from the removal of those strong 

 and distinct motives which the current belief sup- 

 plies. Even as it is, those who relinquish the faith in 

 which they have been brought up, for this most ab- 

 stract faith in which Science and Eeligion unite, may 

 not uncommonly fail to act up to their convictions."* 



Here we have again the unqualified admission that 

 the creed of Agnosticism is not adapted to the human 

 race in its present condition. The most that can be 

 claimed for it is that it might be adapted to an imagi- 

 nary world of philosophers. For practical, efficient 

 work in elevating humanity he admits that we must 

 fall back on the old false, creeds. He also admits 

 that a general acceptance of Agnosticism would be 

 very destructive to morality. 

 • What is truth? and why should truth be demoraliz- 



* Synthetic Philosophy, First Principles, p. 118. 



